View the gallery The British Sub Aqua Club
Recognised as the UK's Most Successful Branch!
at The British Sub-Aqua Club's Branch of the Year 2009 Awards
 
Welcome to Mid Herts Divers!

Here you'll find information about the club, what we do and where we meet. You'll also find a repository of interesting and useful scuba-diving information.

We welcome both experienced divers from any affiliation as well as anyone interested in learning.

Training is performed by Nationally Qualified Instructors in a safe and structured manner. Theory lessons are conducted in a classroom environment, followed by pool sessions in our indoor swimming pool. Open water lessons are conducted at both inland lakes, and coastal locations including Arlesey Blue Lagoon, Gildenburgh Water and Stoney Cove.

Throughout the year, we run Ocean Diver, Sports Diver, Dive Leader and, Advanced Diver training courses alongside a packed schedule of Skills Development Courses (SDCs) including First Aid for Divers, Oxygen Administration, Practical Rescue Management (PRM), Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Wreck Appreciation and Underwater Digital Photography.

We also pride ourselves in our intensive and very successful in-house Instructor Training Programme. With a perfect pass-rate (so far), we ensure all our branch instructors meet and exceed BS-AC's strict Instructor training standards.

Membership of the branch includes both use of branch-owned scuba kit during training and the indoor swimming pool.

We meet every Wednesday evening at Monks Walk School, Knightsfield, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. AL8 7NL between 7.30pm-9.30pm.

Mid Herts divers (also known as Mid Herts Sub-Aqua Club) are branch #1784 of the British Sub Aqua Club (BS-AC), the world's biggest diving club.
 
More from the WHTCoverage of Paul's Rowig Challenge in the WHTDawn wins a Kent Tooling reel (April 2012). Kent Tooling provided £150 voucher to sponsor Paul's "row-the-channel" challengeJackFM. Coverage of the event from the JackFM websiteWisbech Standard. Coverage of the event from the Wisbech Standard websiteLatest WHT articleWell done Trevor
Latest events

 Latest articles

 
Thank you Kent Tooling
Submitted on 18-Apr-2012 22:20:13 by Emma Reeves. Updated on 19-Apr-2012 09:32:30 by Adrian Colegate

Dawn wins £150 voucher from kent tooling in the form of one of their fantasic reels A DIVING club  have raised thousands of pounds for a charity that provides special days for seriously ill people, with a little help from a businessman.

Mid Herts Divers in Welwyn Garden City, have raised £2,000 over the last 2 years for their chosen charity The Willow Foundation using prizes donated by Kent Tooling.

In his latest act of generosity John Perrin from Kent Tooling offered a £150 voucher to anyone sponsoring club member Paul Rosendale to row the distance of the English Channel.

Paul Rosendale who raised £825, said: “Kent Tooling simply makes some of the best diving products around. Their reels and ratchet reels are literally bombproof.

“I was amazed when John from Kent Tooling kindly donated a £150 on-line shopping voucher to help me raise funds for the Willow Foundation.

“Any club member or partner who donated a multiple of £10 was given one free entry into a prize draw to win this fantastic prize. Anyone donating £20 was given two free entries and so on.”

The prize was won by Dawn Blackman, who sponsored Paul more than £40.

Dawn spent the voucher on a Cave Diving Reel and a self-inflating DSMB.

This is not the first time John has supported the club to raise money for the Willow Foundation who are based in Hatfield. In 2010 he donated prizes to a raffle and auction that raised £1,175.

John said: “I am delighted to be able to support Mid Herts Divers to raise money for such a worthwhile cause. This is the second time I have done this and I hope to continue my support in the future".

For more information about Kent Tooling visit their website www.divingproducts.co.uk


 
Divers cycle the distance of the English Channel in aid of Sport Relief
Submitted on 25-Feb-2012 00:16:49 by Daniel Hodkin. Updated on 16-Apr-2012 13:34:52 by Adrian Colegate

A team of divers cycled the distance of the English Channel all underwater on exercise bikes.

Twenty-four people each pedalled a mile in the challenge – raising £2,954 for Sport Relief 2012.

Event organiser Dan Hodkin, from Mid Herts Divers in Welwyn Garden City, said: “At least twenty four miles were cycled. To put that in to context that’s about the distance of the English Channel.

“We raised an amazing amount of money and just as importantly everyone had a brilliant time achieving it.”

The event which was held at Gildenburgh Water, near Whittlesey, drew a lot of attention from other divers at the site on Saturday.

As a result the 14 members of Mid Herts Divers were joined by another 10 divers from various clubs who also wanted to be part of the action.

The exercise bikes involved in the challenge have been left at the site on a platform 10 metres below the surface.

“We hope that they bring a lot of enjoyment to divers for many years to come,” added Dan who is already looking for ideas for Sport Relief 2014.

“It’s going to be really hard to top this event in a couple of year’s time.”


 
MHDivers Buoyancy & Trim Video link
Submitted on 15-Apr-2012 13:15:45 by Tanya Warren. Updated on 16-Apr-2012 12:58:06 by Adrian Colegate

Mid Herts Divers Buoyancy and Trim workshop at Guildenburgh Water. April 2012 filmed on a GoPro.

Buoyancy & Trim demo Guildenburgh

Also available on HD DVD - Talk to Tanya and Stewv


 
New Suunto Dive Manager and Planner app is available
Submitted on 03-May-2012 13:49:28 by Adrian Colegate. Updated on 03-May-2012 13:52:04

The latest versoin of Suunto's Dive Manager and Dive Planner app is now available.

Even if you don't own a Suunto dive computer, the Dive Planner app is an invaluable tool for planning dive profiles, gases, and back-up plans.

If you do have a Suunto device, you can export it from your laptop to the dive computer via the USB cable.

The Suunto Dive Planner is also an excellent tool for dive instruction as it helps you gain better understanding of decompression theory and computer-assisted multilevel diving.

You can download the app from Suunto's website here:

http://www.movescount.com/applications/dm4


 
Diver rows the distance of the English Channel
Submitted on 30-Mar-2012 09:37:39 by Emma Reeves. Updated on 16-Apr-2012 13:37:16 by Adrian Colegate

A DIVER stayed on dry land for his latest fundraising challenge – rowing the distance of the English Channel.

Paul Rosendale, a member of Mid Herts Divers from Welwyn Garden City, raised over £2,200 by rowing the equivalent of the Strait of Dover – 21 miles – in an amazing 2 hours, 48 minutes and 19 seconds.

Paul formally of  The Paddocks, Codicote, said: “This wasn’t a one mile fun run or a three mile charity stroll. This was the rowing of the equivalent of a marathon and was expected to take between three and four hours.

“Anyone who has spent anytime on one of these rowing machines knows that this is extremely hard work.”

He was supported during the feat on Friday at Ericsson UK, Reading, where he works, by his colleague Darren Sherwood.

The money raised from the event will be split between the Willow Foundation, Dingley Wish Fund and Berkshire Cancer Centre Fund, a charity close to Darren’s heart.

In November 2011, Darren was diagnosed with skin cancer. His first minor operation resulted in fifteen stitches in his chest and six in his calf. He thought that was the end of the scare until further results came back from the surgery - the mole was in fact Melanoma skin cancer. 

Darren had to undergo further surgery to remove more tissue form the affected areas and a lymph node investigation to identify if the cancer had spread further. He is now classed as being “in remission” for the next six years with regular check ups every three months.

“This is the reason that raising funds for cancer is so personal and important to Darren. He classes himself as “one of the lucky ones” and strives to help others who have not been so lucky. There are many forms of cancer ending thousands of people’s lives, including one of his neighbours who died after a two year battle,” added Paul.

“Darren stands by this motto: ‘Think positive at all times. Positive thoughts can help someone to beat cancer, sickness or depression. Live every day as though it is your last’.”

Paul was sponsored generously by his friends at Mid Herts Divers.

Clive Murphy Diving Officer at Mid Herts Divers said: “Paul completed this amazing task and raised a fantastic amount in sponsorship money for charity.

“Well done Paul, a really fantastic effort!”


 
News from DIVE Magazine.co.uk

Friday: sunny intervals, Max Temp: 8°C (46°F), Min Temp: 4°C (39°F)
Max Temp: 8°C (46°F), Min Temp: 4°C (39°F), Wind Direction: WNW, Wind Speed: 8mph, Visibility: good, Pressure: 1035mb, Humidity: 93%, UV risk: low, Pollution: low, Sunrise: 08:00GMT, Sunset: 16:05GMT

Saturday: white cloud, Max Temp: 7°C (45°F), Min Temp: 3°C (37°F)
Max Temp: 7°C (45°F), Min Temp: 3°C (37°F), Wind Direction: WNW, Wind Speed: 6mph, Visibility: good, Pressure: 1030mb, Humidity: 88%, UV risk: low, Pollution: low, Sunrise: 08:01GMT, Sunset: 16:05GMT

Sunday: grey cloud, Max Temp: 5°C (41°F), Min Temp: 0°C (32°F)
Max Temp: 5°C (41°F), Min Temp: 0°C (32°F), Wind Direction: E, Wind Speed: 10mph, Visibility: moderate, Pressure: 1024mb, Humidity: 90%, UV risk: low, Pollution: low, Sunrise: 08:02GMT, Sunset: 16:05GMT

 News from ScubaHerald.com

Sorry Scuba Killer…. you can’t scape from Justice
We all know him as the scuba honeymoon killer…. not only a sick man, but a pretty stupid diver… In a highly unusual step, now retired Queensland coroner David Glasgow said publicly last year that he was willing to give evidence against Watson over the scuba diving death of his wife Tina in 2003. The prosecution team [...]

Kenzo Kiren Winner of the best dive job in the world
We have been following the best dive job in the world for over 5 months and today the winner has been announced: Kenzo Kiren from Canada. Kenzo becomes the first lucky winner of one the most amazing contest in the scuba diving industry. The Best Dive Job rocked the typical-boring-scuba-industry with one of the smartest [...]

Hun Hao Priscilla: Winner of the Second Prize in the Best Dive job
This morning we woke up with a great news from the coolest scuba contest in the world: The Best Dive job in the world. This message from Jonathan Cross, Manager of Blue Season Bali: Hun hao Priscilla, congratulations for winning the second place prize in The Best Dive Job in the World 2011 competition. It is [...]

Depth Multilevel Game: Become the Shark… or the diver
i love the idea of Scuba diving games… specially because you can’t find any specific GOOD game about scuba diving, but this game “DEPTH” seems to be even cooler… just for the main idea. This seems to be the basic idea behind Depth: “Depth is a game with a simple premise: One team plays as scuba divers [...]

More candidates for The Best Dive job in the world
So we are glad to see the new army of candidates for the best dive job in the world, by Blue Season Bali. The top 10 are almost here and we have great scuba-people, like Kenzo Kiren , also Priscilla Ong , Hellen Shepperson(mmm our favorite so far!) (are we allowed to vote?) , Stepan [...]

Nadia Aly 1st finalist for the best Dive Job in the world
Nadia Aly has become the 1st finalist for the top 10 runner ups to become the winner of one of the coolest contest in Scuba history. From today on, the team of Blue season Bali, will be announcing each day the top 10…. Who will win? Who will have simply the coolest job in the world? Well… it seems [...]

Agnes Milowka dies in Cave Diving Accident in Mt Gambier
It is extremely sad when you do what you love and things like this happen. We all know how dangerous it’s cave diving, but when a real expert dies in an incident like today’s … the whole scuba diving community feels a bit emptier. As reported by News.com.au , cave diver Agnes Milowka ran out of [...]

Scuba Scooter goes beyond the Border
Smart Mexicans? You bet. Smart scuba Mexican Aliens? Lol… you bet… well it seems a wetsuit-clad man and a teenager were arrested in Imperial Beach Feb. 3 after allegedly swimming around the U.S./Mexico international border with the aid of scuba diver propulsion devices, commonly called “scuba scooters.” The men became the object of [...]

Scuba Father Dies
You can claim many things in the scuba diving world… but only one person it’s the one responsible of coin the word SCUBA. Well…Christian J. Lambertsen died at his home in Newton Square Feb. 11 of renal failure at the age of 93, The Washington Post reported. He invented the Lambertsen Amphibious Respirator Unit in 1939. In [...]

Jason deCaires Taylor: The Greatest Scuba Artist in the World
A few months (mmm may be years) I ahd the pleasure to interview via email one of the most talented guys I have ever seen: Jason deCaires Taylor … well… it seems his talent is now official and the gang of National Geographic has featured him and his unique work… This is thanks to his new [...]

 News from ScubaTravel.co.uk

Mapping Coral Disease Clusters in the Caribbean
In the last 30 years, more than 90 percent of the reef-building coral in the Caribbean has disappeared because of a disease of unknown origin. Now, scientists from the University of Florida have used a GIS (geographic information system) to show the whereabouts of the clusters of diseased coral. Their findings may help determine what contributes to coral disintegration.

Dolphin has super sensory powers
Fleeing fish beware: The Guiana dolphin has a super Spidey sense. But instead of danger, the dolphin detects faint electrical fields generated by such things as contracting muscles, a beating heart and pumping gills - telltale signs of potential prey. The dolphin is the first true mammal with these super sensory powers, scientists report. It detects electrical fields using organs on its snout that were once considered simple remnants of long-lost whiskers. Electroreception - the ability to sense these bioelectric fields - has already been described in sharks, amphibians, fish and some egg-laying mammals.

Depletion of the body snatchers: bad news for marine environment
A recent study conducted for The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has determined that 20% of hagfish species are at an elevated risk of extinction. Scientists warn that this figure could be much higher. Hagfish represent an ancient and unique evolutionary lineage; as bottom feeders they play an important role by cleaning the ocean floor and recycling nutrients into the food web which maintains the overall health of the ecosystems they inhabit. Overexploitation and destructive fishing practices are major threats to several hagfish species, including those listed as Endangered. No current conservation measures or legislation exist to protect hagfish populations.

NOAA, Bermuda partner to protect humpback whales in the North Atlantic
NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and the Government of Bermuda have pledged cooperation on scientific and educational programs to better protect the endangered North Atlantic humpback whale population.

Census of Marine Life Scientific Steering Committee awarded 2011 International Cosmos Prize
The prize is awarded for research and work that has achieved excellence and is recognized as contributing to a significant understanding of the relationships among living organisms, the interdependence of life and the global environment, and the common nature integrating these inter-relationships.

Beaked whales enter stealth mode
Blainville's beaked whales go silent in shallow waters. Researchers have discovered that the whales refuse to communicate with each other near the surface. By becoming silent, the whales enter a stealth mode that prevents them being detected by predatory killer whales.

Update: All the Dahab Diving Centres (Red Sea)
Dahab supports over 40 dive centres and they are all listed on the SCUBA Travel site with reviews and ratings - www.scubatravel.co.uk/redsea/dahabop.html

Victory for Whale Conservation
UK proposal aimed at cleaning up the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has been adopted at the forum's 63rd annual meeting in Jersey.

Overfishing eats away at genetic diversity of fish
Plenty more fish in the sea? Maybe not for much longer. Overfishing is damaging the genetic diversity of fish to a greater degree than expected, leaving at-risk species vulnerable.

The Atlas of Coasts and Oceans
A unique assessment of the world's coasts and oceans detailing the ecological, environmental and economic importance of each. With global and regional maps, from the Arabian Gulf to the Great Barrier Reef and including the Baltic, the Black Sea, the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the South Pacific and all the other major global waterways, the atlas considers the impact of climate change, industrial growth, tourism, pollution and over-fishing as well as the steps being taken towards conservation.