Welcome
Hello and welcome to your first step into scuba! Nothing compares to the sensation of exploring the underwater world. So, if you are thinking about taking up scuba diving or have just started your training, we’ ve put this special guide together to help you as you begin your aquatic adventure. To get the most out of your diving, you need the best possible training and that’ s where BSAC comes in. It stands for the‘ British Sub-Aqua Club’ and it’ s been around for more than 70 years, training divers to the highest standards. BSAC is the UK Governing Body for scuba diving and it oversees a set of internationallyrecognised courses that take its divers from beginners to competent, confident divers. The heart and soul of BSAC lies in its members – around 30,000 of them distributed across a network of locally-based and managed clubs. BSAC’ s clubs are run on a voluntary basis by their members, a proud tradition that creates friendships that can last a lifetime. This voluntary,‘ not for profit’ nature of BSAC is what makes it unique in the world of diving. There are other training agencies such as PADI( the Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and SSI( Scuba Schools International) and they both offer respected diver training systems. Similarly, BSAC also has professionally-run dive centres that provide an alternative to in-club training. However, BSAC also offers a club system where you can progress your dive training at your own natural pace in a supportive, friendly environment. And it doesn’ t stop there – BSAC clubs offer further training and facilities to support you in your diving as you build up experience. A large part of this guide has been devoted to BSAC’ s most popular entry-level course, Ocean Diver. This is quite simply the most comprehensive beginner’ s course available in the UK, providing you with the training and skills you will need to enjoy safe diving in both British and international seas. I hope the following pages go some way to answering your questions – whether they are about the Ocean Diver course, the kit you will need or simply where you can go diving – and inspire you to join us in the beautiful world of underwater exploration.
Simon Rogerson – Editor simon @ scubamagazine. co. uk
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