Major overhaul of scuba diving is called for

Holidaymakers could be misled in to believing they are 'qualified'

Travel Insurance News - 05/10/2006

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The head of the Diving Deseases Research Centre in Plymouth, Dr Bryson, has called for a major overhaul of the basic training given to scuba divers who he said are being misled. According to Dr Bryson, novice divers are securing "advanced diver" status after only a "weekend" sometimes typically taking part in only 9 dives. During 2005 there were more safety incidents than ever before. Over confidence is said to play a part in the many divers who travel abroad and come up against some strange and unchartered territory with differing conditions such as violent swells and currents.

The number of dives required to gain qualifications has dropped over recent years and this is due in part to the growth of commercial organisations. Around two million dives a year take place in Britain and around 17 divers die annualy. Many divers are not disclosing health issues prior to diving and are not absteining from drinking the night before a dive as recommended.

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