How to join

SCUBA training with a BSAC Branch is generally available to anyone who is over the age of 14 and medically fit. Parental approval is needed for anyone under the age of 18 years. Recently (2005) the rules changed to allow Junior Members aged between 12 and 14 to train up to Sports Diver level, but with additional restrictions. 

If you decide, after taking an Introduction to Diving course, to take up full membership, then the first step will be to assure yourself and us that you are fit to undertake the training and subsequent diving.

Currently, members are expected to truthfully complete a Medical Declaration Form, which is basically a list of questions with Yes/No answers. Should you answer "Yes" to any question, then you must consult with a Specialist Diving Doctor, if not then you can just sign the form to certify that you are fit.

Further details can be found at UK Sport Diving Medical Committee.

Our Membership Secretary will ask you to complete a membership application form, and once these formalities have been completed, and you have paid your subscription to the Branch, and been accepted into membership, you can start the Ocean Diver Training Course.

Fees (Jan 2008)

When you join a Branch you will pay a BSAC subscription fee, which includes the cost of providing you with a monthly copy of DIVE magazine and third party liability insurance cover.

The current BSAC subscription fee for new members is £47. A reduced membership is available for second and subsequent members of the same household, for students and minors.

The Branch will then provide you with an Ocean Diver Student Training Pack, which includes a copy of The Diving Manual, Ocean Diver Student Study Workbook, Qualification Record Book, and the other items necessary for your course. The cost of this pack is currently £35.00.

There will be additional charges calculated by the Branch to cover the facilities we provide, and our membership fee is currently £180 per annum, which now includes unlimited free air fills.

Once paid, there are no additional charges for training, although we may charge a small amount per week for hire of the branch's training equipment.

Our Branch is a non-profit making organisation, and all fees collected go towards services and benefits for the membership. No member of the Branch receives any fees or payments for work undertaken on behalf of the Branch.

Medical Resources

The UK SPORT DIVER MEDICAL FORM B can be found at the BSAC Website in their Medical Section. Alternatively, our Membership Secretary should be able to provide you with a form.

If your require guidance on common medical conditions that may prevent or restrict diving, then the appropriate link on the BSAC Website is the Medical Guidelines.

You may also find some useful items at the Diving Medical Information from Dr Jules Eden. Dr Eden writes the Dive medical Question and Answer pages each month in Sport Diver magazine.