Powerboat Racers Complete Their First Microdive Safety Training

March 6, 2013 - PRLog -- The new safety requirement has been mandated by for any power boat racer who is likely to be in an enclosed safety cell during a RYA (Royal Yachting Association) managed event. The course has been introduced by the RYA to teach individuals how to dive safely with open circuit scuba equipment to depths of 3-metres. It is intended for anyone who might need to use compressed air within a power boat’s safety cell or who might have it administered by the event’s rescue services.

   The course participants were taught how to use scuba equipment correctly at shallow depths so that they would have a thorough understanding of correct procedures in the event of an accident. The RYA Microdive training was completed in less than an hour and was followed by an immersion test which has been an annual challenge for powerboat racers in the UK for many years. Participants are required to escape from a cockpit inverted under water but it was reported that the Microdive training beforehand made it much easier for many.

   The training was conducted by the Osprey Rescue Team which is the organisation responsible for the on-water safety of UK powerboat racing events. Participants were first required to read and demonstrate their understanding of a brief document that explains the key theoretical aspects of shallow water scuba diving. This was followed by an in-pool session when students were equipped with the latest Mini-B scuba systems which they were taught to use safely to a depth of 3-metres.

Commenting afterwards a well-known powerboat driver in the group wrote; “It was the most fun I have had for ages! For the first time ever - and I have had [an immersion test] every year since their inception - I was completely at ease. For once I did not suffer the usual panic and stress. I am totally in favour of the whole exercise, and would urge other drivers to look at this as a positive activity as it improves the driver’s knowledge and confidence beyond belief.  It is not something to be feared at all. I went home feeling the happiest ever after a dunk test.”

   Each Microdive training participant was automatically insured by Lloyds throughout the session. Completion of the course at Great Yarmouth satisfied the RYA’s race training requirement. Participants who go on to undertake two 3-metre dives in open water will, in addition, become certified as Explorer Microdivers and qualified to safely dive unsupervised to 3-metres anywhere in the world. A short period of additional training can subsequently certify the diver as an Open Water Microdiver qualified for diving to 9-metres.  

For more information visit: www.mini-b.com and www.microdive.com

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Note to editors
Microdive Ltd is a scuba diver training agency approved by the UK government Health and Safety Executive.


For sales information contact:
Robert Hart, Microdive Ltd, Mini B Shallow Water Scuba Products Ltd. Unit 2, Kings Close, Charfleets Industrial Estate, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 0QZ, United Kingdom.   Tel: 01268 681167