Page 105 - RAPTC Number 102 2018/19

Joint Service Sub Aqua Dive Centre (JSSADC) is a type 4 Adventurous Training (JSAT) Centre, responsible for the delivery of sub aqua diving and associated courses for service personnel. In addition to our JSAT delivery programme, JSSADC also facilitates Expeditions, using the centre and its equipment as a base of operations.
I arrived in post in April 2018 and it has been an extremely busy period at the centre and a steep learning curve for myself. Every week a different course is conducted so it’s imperative that knowledge of the instructor manuals is retained to ensure most recent procedures are delivered to students. I was initially placed on a 6-month training margin to gain necessary qualifications to deliver sub aqua diver training and related courses. I quickly got up to speed and was instructing and supervising on courses with an enthusiastic flare, especially on a wet, cold day.
I was deployed in September to Gibraltar, in support of Exercise Green Trident, a 2 Para Sub Aqua Diving Expedition as an Instructor to facilitate the delivery of an Ocean and Sport Diver training programme. This proved successful and an extremely valuable learning experience, to be able to conduct training outside of the centre, where kit and equipment are not readily available, and one must improvise daily, was priceless. All trainees were successful in completing the courses.
In November, I was deployed to Malta, in support of Exercise Maltese Eagle, an RAF Sub Aqua Diving Expedition as a Supervisor and Instructor. This was my first role as a supervisor on an overseas expedition which I thoroughly enjoyed and excelled at.
Calm before the storm
SS Teti
The trainees within our group successfully completed the Ocean Diver course and was able to lead their last dive to 20 metres. This was an enjoyable experience, to take trainee pilots from being terrified at the start to becoming comfortable underwater, was priceless. It hammers home, why the British Military places such a valuable regard on Adventurous Training to develop soldiers, sailors, airmen, women and attributes that are vital to operational capability.
Staff from JSSADC and Joint Service Adventurous Training Wing (Cyprus), Dive Branch deployed to the remote Croatian island of Vis in February, to conduct annual Staff Training before the start of the Sub Aqua diving season. Isolated from the mainland in the middle of the Adriatic Sea, the island played a crucial role for Allied Bombers conducting raids during World War 2 and is littered with Aircraft-Wrecks around it. One of the most famous was the B-24 Tulsamerica, which we had the privilege of diving.
Assurance of Instructors and Supervisors was conducted daily, with diving operations conducted during the day and lessons taught during the evenings to those who needed it. First Aid, and rescue management was taught relentlessly to all staff.
Diving within the full spectrum of all qualifications was conducted along with additional training for other centre staff to ensure they are competent and confident to conduct rescue diving during courses taught back at their respective centres. I thoroughly enjoyed my experiences in Vis and I’m ready for the year ahead. Its going to be a busy year but no doubt I will thoroughly enjoy. Keep Diving.
The Staff
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JOINT SERVICE SUB AQUA DIVING CENTRE
Sgt (SI) K Patrice RAPTC
B-24 Tulsamerica