Sir, - I refer to the report (August 1st) of the inquest on the tragic drowning last September of Mr Patrick Burke, when he was learning to dive. In particular, 1 would like to comment on the jury's recommendation that a regulatory watchdog body, with statutory powers, be formed for adventure centres.
The necessity for such a watchdog body was recognised by all responsible participants in the arena of adventure sports and this association, in conjunction with the various governing organisations of Irish adventure sports, established the Centre Standards Board in 1988/89 with the express purpose of monitoring outdoor adventure activity centres.
The Centre Standards Board (CSB), which functions as an independent authority under the aegis of the Association for Adventure Sports, operates an annual inspection and approval service for outdoor activity centres. Twenty-five adventure centres were inspected in 1996, of which 23 were approved. Participation by outdoor activity centres in the CSB scheme is voluntary, a point that should be emphasised.
The standards against which centres are being evaluated by the CSB relate mainly to safety, equipment, instructor qualifications and instructional procedures, and are those laid down by the Irish national governing organisations for the various adventure sports. Centres that meet the standards for particular activities are granted an AFAS approval for those specific activities.
It should be pointed out that Bord Failte recognises the CSB scheme and in its literature notes those outdoor centres which have AFAS approval. Further, the Irish Association of Activity Centres (the industry organisation of outdoor activity centre operators) and the organisation representing the managers of the VEC outdoor education centres support the scheme.
Anyone interested in obtaining a list of AFAS-approved outdoor activity centres or in learning more about the Centre Standards Board is invited to contact the association at the House of Sport, Long Mile Road, Dublin 12 (tel:01-450 9845). - Yours, etc.,
John Bourke, Chairman,
Association for Adventure Sports, Dublin 12.