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The British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) is the largest diving club in the world with 1,600 branches and 55,000 members. There are over 200 schools and resort diving centres worldwide.
History of the British Sub Aqua Club
The club was formed in London in the autumn of 1953 by a number of "persons interested in underwater activities". Their aim was to promote underwater exploration, science, and safety in these activities. The club's founder was Oscar Gugen, assisted by Peter Small, a keen diver who tragically died a few years later. By December it had approximately 100 members.
By the end of the year 1954 the BSAC had been recognised by Britain as the governing body for the new sport of underwater swimming, a responsibility it still retains today. By 1955 the membership had grown to over 1,100. The club grew, year on year, and in 1959 the BSAC became a founding member of CMAS, the World Underwater Federation.
In 1976 the BSAC School System was established. These schools are independent businesses which are authorised to train and award a number of BSAC diving qualifications. There are currently 100 BSAC Schools worldwide. Some three years later in 1979 the club was re-organised as a Limited Company.
In 1990, the BSAC moved its London Sport's Council home to it's own new office complex at Ellesmere Port in the North of England.
Training
The BSAC has been training people to dive since the early fifties. During this time their Diver Training Programme has been regularly updated and improved, to keep pace with developments in equipment and diving knowledge. The programme is designed to build confidence and self-reliance, whilst keeping safety uppermost.
Diving skills are taught progressively so that each new experience is built upon step by step. Following basic training in the safety of a swimming pool or protected area, students soon complete their first open water dives to Club Diver level. This progression continues to Sports Diver and beyond, where open water skills and techniques are further developed.
Ocean Diver
This course provides you with the essential knowledge and skills needed to prepare for open water diving. Learning to dive is all about learning to use your equipment properly and safely. The Ocean Diver training course concentrates on preparing you for this in the safety of a swimming pool or sheltered water and then introducing you to open water in a controlled and safe manner. This also gives you the opportunity to practice safety skills in the company of a qualified instructor or experienced diver.
See Ocean Diver syllabus for full details of the Club diver training programme.
Sports Diver
In Sports Diver training, the emphasis is on building a sound foundation of open water diving skills and experience through a series of structured practical lessons. Once you have gained this open water experience with a qualified instructor, you are ready to take part in dives with other Sports Divers or those of higher grades.
See Sports Diver syllabus for full details of the Sports diver training programme.
Dive Leader
Dive Leader training concentrates on the responsibilities and safety aspects of leading an open water dive. Practical lessons in rescue management and rescue skills will give you the confidence and ability to deal with those unforeseen emergencies. Leading a dive will develop your enjoyment and experience as a diver.
See Dive Leader syllabus for full details of the Dive Leader training programme
Advanced Diver
This course further develops your knowledge and skills. You will gain experience in planning and organising dives at different sites and under different circumstances. Additional experience will be gained in using small boats, chart work. navigation and many other related skills. The BSAC consider this grade as being a fully trained diver.
See Advanced Diver syllabus for full details of the Advanced diver training programme
1st Class Diver
The BSAC's highest diving grade which requires a higher than average level of theoretical knowledge, organisational and personal diving skills. The 1st Class Diver award is a culmination of a number of years diving experience. BSAC 1st Class Divers are assessed through nationally conducted examinations.
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