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JOINT SERVICE SUB AQUA DIVING CENTRE (JSSADC) FORT BOVISAND

WO2 (QMSI) C Wilkinson RAPTC

T
he JSSADC is the lead Recreational Dive Centre for all 3
Services and is based just outside Plymouth in a Napoleonic
Fort originally built to protect the Kings Fleet. The centre
provides diving courses from the entry level Ocean Diver course up

to Sub-Aqua Diving Supervisor (SADS) courses in order to meet
our core function, ‘to deliver training to support Service sub-aqua
diving’. This ensures that Expeditions have appropriately qualiied
and up-to-date Supervisors, Instructors, Divers, Boat Handlers,

Oxygen Administrators and VHF Radio Operators. We also deliver
instructor courses to enable Sports Divers to teach and support
units, Clubs and the JSAT Scheme Expeditions overseas. The
old SADS Scheme has recently changed to relect the Recreation

Diving Manual, Joint Service Publication (JSP) 917, the main
change being the introduction of a second Level of Supervisor.
We now have a Branch SADS qualiication aimed at Dive Leaders
who can supervise on known registered club sites. Expedition
SADS are Advanced Divers who can supervise diving anywhere in

the world and this replaces the old SADS qualiication.

The centre has 4 fully kitted out Rigid Hull Inlatable Boats (RHIB’s),
exceptional Instructional Staff and is fully equipped for most types From the left FS Crouch Cpl Benson and Sgt (SI) Welch RAPTC

of diving. We deliver Closed Circuit Re-breather Courses (CCR)
and in December 2012 we ran the 1st pilot for the new Twin Set year it was to Malta on Exercise Imperial Eagle, over the period
course. We also deliver a full range of Diving Qualiications in the of 22 Feb – 08 Mar 13. A total of 10 personnel participated, 4
form of Skill Development Courses (SDC). The Centre also offers from JSSADC, 4 from CJSATC and 2 from STC Kiel. The aim

a boat and the use of our air charging panel to visiting Units and of staff training and Exercise Imperial Eagle is for all instructors
Club diving expeditions.
to undertake mandatory training in an environment not affected
by inclement weather. Deep Rescues (35m), BLS skills, Oxygen
UK diving in general and diving in Plymouth in particular, provides Administration and other SDCs are usually conducted to bring

a challenging and rewarding purist; when the diving is good it old and new instructors up to date and to prepare the teams
is world class and well worth the effort. The biggest challenge for the busy season ahead. It has also ensured consistency and
is inding replacement Instructors to work in this environment. familiarisation across the different centres.
Currently working along side me and supporting my role and the
Corps at JSSADC is SGT (SI) Phil Welch. In his short time in post With such a wide range of courses and qualiications to deliver

he has made the jump from Army Diver to Sports Diver and then and ascertain my posting here has past too quickly and by the
worked endlessly to gain his Advanced Diver and Open Water time MBS is landing on this desk next year I will have already made
Instructor qualiication.
the transition home for good. I would therefore like to take this
opportunity to thank all who have guided and helped me during

Annually JSSADC organises a staff training exercise (for staff my time in the RAPTC and wish you the very best in the future.
from all the Joint Service Level 4 Sub Aqua Diving Centres). This

Cpl Benson RM (left) and
Sgt (SI) Welch RAPTC (right)