Equipment Officer’s Responsiblities
The equipment officer (EO) is responsible for the club’s diving kit only. The EO is not responsible for tthe boats or training materials. If you use club kit then you will become responsible for it whilst it is in your care. The EO may request club kit back if there is a need so please make sure you hand it back if you are likely to be away for more than a week on non diving related time away from the club.

Each year the club aims to train around 8 new divers and they will generally have the kit from spring to late summer. Initially it will be for pool training and then for the open water training.

The EO will aim to keep track of the kit and manage its passage from one person to another. However unless your inform the EO who you passed it in to, this will not be possible as the EO does not have telepathic powers. Once kit is issued to you by the EO it is your responsibility. If you pass the kit on to another club member it still remains your responsibility until you inform the EO about the change of custodianship.

So the golden rules are:-

  1. If you know you need the kit let the EO know ASAP;
  2. If you don’t need kit you’ve requested let the EO know ASAP;
  3. Collect and return the kit yourself if you can;
  4. Treat the kit as you would treat your own while you have it;
  5. Be ready to pass it to another member, if they need it and
  6. If you pass it on to another member let the EO know who it has gone to.

Club Equipment
The club has approx 6 sets of everything and a few spares, this does not mean they will always be waiting just for you so it pays to book ahead. The equipment is available to all club members. but you should be ready to give it up when someone else needs it. It is your responsibility to pick up and return kit and you must be prepared to pass it on if someone else needs it. Don’t necessarily expect to get the same kit back.

For much of the year the kit will be with trainees whilst they are completing club and sports diver qualifications. They must give it up if you need it but have an absolute right (except in exceptional circumstances) to have it for pool sessions.

Regulators
The club has 6 good regulators. Some sets are newer than others, but most are Apeks TX40s which are very popular. Trying a few different sets will show you that regs are a very personal choice.

Buoyancy Control Devices (BCDs)
The club has A.P. Valves Buddy BCDs. These are just about the toughest you can get and are very popular throughout the club. Most of the BCDs are medium size – this means pretty big, so if you are petite try to borrow the small Buddy Slimline.

Cylinders
The club cylinders vary in capacity, size, weight and age. This won’t matter for pool training but once you get to open water you will probably want to avoid the 8litre 200bar aluminium tanks in favour of the 12litre 232bar steel ones. Some of the later cylinders have dual DIN/A Clamp pillar valves. Make sure you know what you have and if it is not appropriate for your planned dive let the EO know.

Weights and belts
The club weights and belts are ordinary webbing and lead lump affairs. The club only has enough for most training use. If you need more for open water you should arrange it yourself. Before you take issue with this point imagine having to store and shift 6 24lb sets of weight!

The most up to date list of the club equipment and its status can be found below.

equipment.xls.pdf
Buy your own
The club does not loan out personal kit like masks, snorkels, fins, boots or suits so you will have to buy or hire your own. Galaxsea (01473 711818) and Diveline (01473 715533) in Ipswich are two places where you can purchase these items.