Making the news today....

[Peter 1955]

I know we have a few chaps on here from North of The Border, don't know how many of them follow the footie. Just saw a couple of interesting items on Facebook. First one was that tickets for the World Cup are not selling well, as many folk are a tad wary of being dragged off by armed guards to have their nationality checked ( and that's the best case scenario ). 

The Scottish angle comes from news that Donald is clamping down on granting visas for many Nationals of certain countries, including fifteen taking part in the World Cup. The possible bonus for the Scots is that they could get to the knockout stage without playing a game, if their opponents are all refused entry! 😂😂😂

Edited 4 hours ago by Peter 1955

[Mick Dempsey]

When I was in secondary school in the late 70s we used to bait left wing teachers (of which there were many) with ‘right’ wing opinions.

We didn’t do it in a concious way, it was just a way of winding them up.

The more professional teachers, who never opened their mouths about politics were accorded more respect.

[Mike Hill]

On 29/01/2026 at 21:33, Johnsond said:

2 years of training and gaining panel hours, studying every spare minute and doing my job at the same time. That’s just one qualification lad. 
I don’t mock the fact you have a degree,  I mock you Mark . I do OK for a thick c..t 👍.  What is so predictable about you is like so many socialist types you hate anyone trying to improve themselves or get on. 
I did indeed use post it notes prior to this exam in fact the hotel room where I stayed for two weeks to be able to focus 100% prior to taking the test had its walls covered in studying material. 
Quick google 

Yes, the IMCA Diving Supervisor exam is widely considered 

difficult and challenging, often described as a "notoriously difficult" examination. It is a critical, high-stakes exam that requires comprehensive knowledge, particularly for candidates who do not prepare adequately. 

Here is a breakdown of why it is difficult and how to prepare:

 

Why the Exam is Considered Difficult

• High Knowledge Standard: The exam covers complex topics, specifically in diving physics, diving physiology, and diving operations.
• Scenario-Based Questions: Questions are not just based on memorization; they are often scenario-based, requiring practical application of knowledge to manage diving operations and emergencies.
• Strict Passing Criteria: Candidates must achieve a minimum of 75% to pass.
• Time Constraints: The Air Diving Supervisor (ADS) exam, for example, is 2.5 hours long.
• Electronic Format: Exams are now computer-based, with only one question viewed at a time.
• Language Barrier: Non-native English speakers may find the technical language particularly challenging, although some time allowance is made. 

 

Key Areas of Focus

• Physics: Requires understanding gas laws, pressure, and buoyancy calculations.
• Physiology: Involves understanding decompression sickness, gas toxicity, and neurological assessments.
• Regulations/Procedures: Deep familiarity with IMCA guidelines (e.g., IMCA D022) is essential. 

 

How to Pass

• Disciplined Study: Start a self-study program long before the exam.
• Panel Experience: Ensure you have high-quality, practical experience on the panel as a trainee supervisor.
• Review Material: Familiarize yourself with the US Navy Diving Manual and specific IMCA Information Notes.
• Take a Course: Attending an IMCA-approved training course (like those offered by KBA Training or Trauma Training) is highly recommended to bridge knowledge gaps. 

Candidates who do not prepare adequately often fail, particularly in the physics and operations sections. 
 

 

PS 

Whats your degree in ? 

Did you have to mix your own Scuba Gas?

[Squaredy]

33 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

When I was in secondary school in the late 70s we used to bait left wing teachers (of which there were many) with ‘right’ wing opinions.

We didn’t do it in a concious way, it was just a way of winding them up.

The more professional teachers, who never opened their mouths about politics were accorded more respect.

And I would hope that some of them actually engaged in the debate and encouraged you and other pupils to get involved, hence encouraging civil discussion of difficult subjects. These days divergent views are seen as a threat by many.

[Mick Dempsey]

12 minutes ago, Squaredy said:

And I would hope that some of them actually engaged in the debate and encouraged you and other pupils to get involved, hence encouraging civil discussion of difficult subjects. These days divergent views are seen as a threat by many.

We weren’t interested in debate, just winding up teachers, after all their indoctrination what did my generation do? Voted Maggie in three times on the trot.

[Johnsond]

1 hour ago, Mike Hill said:

Did you have to mix your own Scuba Gas?

Funnily enough no

 

[sime42]

6 hours ago, Squaredy said:

Well I agree with some of your analysis.  Some of the above are just catalists, not causes. 

 

I would add to your list human nature (greed, envy, ego, inability to think critically and analytically and plain old selfishness) and 'The Establishment'.  Especially the educational establishment, especially universities.  Since when is education supposed to be political?  And lastly the general unwillingness to engage in discussion and debate (which I think starts at school). 

 

By the way I have particular beef with schools as my boy was reported to the anti-terror radicalisation program (Prevent) by his school because his beliefs were not left enough.  And our lovely government are going to roll out training for teachers specifically to help them spot non-left views!  Of course they say they will train teachers to spot extreme right views, but if you are interested I can tell you what views my boy was reported for.

 

In case you don't know, around 8000 referrals are made to Prevent each year, the majority of them schoolchildren.  And the largest type of referral is for far right ideaology.  And just to top off my winge about the education system; of those Prevent referrals 83% are deemed not to warrant any actual intervention - which of course sort of confirms that schools are seeing extreme radicalisation even when it doesn't exist.  Or to put it another way, they are guilty of viewing everyone who doesn't see the world the way they do as a Nazi.

 

 

Firstly, I'm sorry to hear that your son has fallen foul of the system in this case. That must be a hard situation for all concerned.

I take your point regarding the establishment, and it's failures, I'm sure that is a driver for social division. But the educational establishment specifically, no I don't see that. Not unless it's changed significantly since I was in it. Though I do admit, I wasn't remotely interested in politics as a child, or even a young adult. I don't believe that I was atypical in that. So it's hard to see exactly how much influence schools and universities actually exert, if most of their fodder is not politically minded at all. Hands up anyone who took any notice of all the political shenanigans in their young years?

Are you sure about those Prevent figures? I'm not. I tried to have a similar discussion with Johnsond on this subject last year, to no avail. Shortly after the latest Prevent report had come out.  I'll see if I can find it if I get some time. The largest type of referrals is for individuals judged to have no identified ideology, not RW.

Personally, I'm glad that schools take the matter of radicalisation, of any persuasion, seriously. It's obviously far from ideal, but I'd rather that they be over cautious, than miss stuff that later turns out to be a problem. (Not applicable in your case obviously, so not a consolation. I don't know the details of course, nor would I wish to discuss them on an open forum.) 

Thinking about it some more though, in most of the recent high profile case, with tragic consequences, it's the Prevent program that's been at fault. They've missed things, or not acted on information that's been passed to them by other agencies or institutions. That's what happened with the Southport attack, and I'm sure some more that've made the headlines for plotting or actually carrying out awful attacks. That youth in Luton, Nicholas Prosper, wasn't even flagged on the system. It was only through luck that he didn't claim far more young victims. In some ways kids like these, with no identified ideology, but just a sick fascination with extreme violence are more of a concern, hinting at deeper societal problems. Which links back to the point about the deluge of unregulated extreme content on social media. Not to mention the numerous attacks driven by extreme Islamic ideology. 

So yeah, more clearly needs to be done on this issue. Probably not by schools, but certainly by Prevent and similar intelligence agencies and also some attempt at online content regulation. Even, dare I say it, parents should take more responsibility over the behaviours of their children. Too much is shirked and pushed onto schools these days, as I think you agree.

 

 

[Josey Wales]

Current subject reminds me of this gem from 1968 when the staff of one of the Oxford colleges (can't remember which one) replied to the student's 'non-negotiable demands' with genuine glee. It's the threat of the chaplain that gives me the chills!

[Oldfeller]

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/other/sky-news-halts-for-breaking-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-bombshell/ar-AA1VvxLo?ocid=msedgntp&pc=SCOODB&cvid=69813ab7aa4744d6824719ebd5ae8cbf&ei=17&cvpid=69824bda91784bf78fb4a50a45dd45cf

 

[Johnsond]

7 hours ago, Squaredy said:

Well I agree with some of your analysis.  Some of the above are just catalists, not causes. 

 

I would add to your list human nature (greed, envy, ego, inability to think critically and analytically and plain old selfishness) and 'The Establishment'.  Especially the educational establishment, especially universities.  Since when is education supposed to be political?  And lastly the general unwillingness to engage in discussion and debate (which I think starts at school). 

 

By the way I have particular beef with schools as my boy was reported to the anti-terror radicalisation program (Prevent) by his school because his beliefs were not left enough.  And our lovely government are going to roll out training for teachers specifically to help them spot non-left views!  Of course they say they will train teachers to spot extreme right views, but if you are interested I can tell you what views my boy was reported for.

 

In case you don't know, around 8000 referrals are made to Prevent each year, the majority of them schoolchildren.  And the largest type of referral is for far right ideaology.  And just to top off my winge about the education system; of those Prevent referrals 83% are deemed not to warrant any actual intervention - which of course sort of confirms that schools are seeing extreme radicalisation even when it doesn't exist.  Or to put it another way, they are guilty of viewing everyone who doesn't see the world the way they do as a Nazi.

That’s unbelievable quite frankly. 
I can’t imagine how that must felt having to deal with that. The words Facist, Racist and Far Right are thrown around like confetti, to the point they are meaningless.