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Here are some comments made by our customers and the diving press...

Well done Darren at the NDAC

A few weeks ago I was diving at the NDAC Chepstow. My buddy wanted to practise with a blob, as he's new to UK diving, so at the end of the dive he sent up his new 'red and yellow' blob (one side each colour). I should add that he did not buy it on my recomendation!

When we got out, the guy on the pontoon came over and had a very friendly chat with us to let us know about a new-ish (to us anyway) rule that yellow blobs should only be used in emergency, and as my mates blob span round he coud see yellow, red, yellow, red! He was very nice, and said if we used it again to let him know before we got it - absolutely fair enough. Was nice to know he was watching in all honesty - certain other more 'stoney' sites don't seem to have that level of surface supervision.

Recently, I was arranging another trip, and pointed out this rule to the others I was going with. In doing so, I could not find any reference to the rule on the NDAC website, so dropped a mail to the contact us address. I was pleasantly surprised to get a prompt reply with thanks, and that they would add the information to the site. Today I get a mail from the Web Designer and from Darren telling me the change has been added to the rules page and thanking me again. I have to say I was very impressed with all of this.

Coupled to this, the NDAC actually seem keen to develop their site (like the new concrete road, new plane and helicopter 'attractions' etc), which again makes a pleasant change to 'our stoney friends' in the north. The only other place with a smilar attitude seems to be Vobster, and guess which two sites most of my training will be at this spring? The new attractions make a change; very nice to see a new improvement every time we visit. The concrete road made for a much smoother ride to the pontoon, and I imagine must save you pounds in van tyres.

So, once agian, well done the NDAC. And no, I don't have any connection apart from as a happy customer.

Cheers

Paul

Hi

I have just completed an AOW course with Lee Sutton and Dave Mager at the NDAC and I would just like to let you know my thoughts.

I thought the course was very professionally run, although very intensive and the knowledge great, it was also great fun.

Lee and Dave are great instructors and went above and beyond in their instruction. They both made me feel very confident but not complacent in my new found diving skills.

I would recommend a course with them and look forward to doing more myself.

They are a credit to your organisation!

James Seaward

"One of the key priorities with training divers at any level, from novice to technical is obviously safety with the need to construct an appropriate risk assessment for any dive site chosen.

Whilst the preference with diver training would be to use a training site as close to the conditions the trainee wishes to dive in post training, example Trimix divers would be best taught in the Ocean where factors such as weather and tides apply, At times a sheltered site for initial training or additional training or a good site to guarantee course completion in the case of unexpected poor weather.

Over the last few years at least one high quality inland site has been there for the professional instructor teaching in the 35m range, but a site with good conditions, surface facilities and high safety in the 35m plus range has been hard to find.

The National Diving & Activity Centre fulfils this requirement very well. The Safety features include waterside staff at all times on the Pontoon network that gives easy access to the variety of buoyed dive sites. The waterside support has radio contact with the main office and shop where rescue staff and equipment are available. There is also a RIB on site by the surface support shed on the pontoon to give fast response to all areas of the quarry.

Transport is supplied from the large car park for divers and equipment to the waterside where sack trolleys are available to transport equipment to the appropriate entry point.

The centre offers air, nitrox and trimix fills and a well equipped shop, good onsite catering and a professional and friendly staff.

As a professional instructor the staff went out of there way to accommodate my needs for meeting the safety and training needs of my students and I would not hesitate to use them again for training in the 6 to 80 m range.

Phil Short IANTD Pheonix Oceaneering
www.phoenixdivers.com