SCUBAHUB
Stay sun-safe this summer
BSAC is encouraging all its members to play it‘ sun safe’ this summer. Seren Catherall-Jones reports
AS WE HEAD INTO THE 2026 DIVING and snorkelling season, there’ s one piece of kit that deserves a permanent place in every dive bag: sun protection. It’ s easy to focus on cylinders, fins and masks, but protecting your skin is just as essential for a safe and enjoyable day in and on the water.
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the UK, and for water users, the risks are often higher than we realise. Time spent on boats, beaches, and shorelines exposes us to prolonged UV radiation. Add in a cooling sea breeze, and it’ s easy to miss the warning signs until it’ s too late. For divers and snorkellers, this means building sun safety into every stage of the day, from kitting up on the boat to surface intervals between dives.
Protecting yourself and the environment
Sunscreen is essential, but not all formulas are equal. Some commonly used chemical suncreams contain ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which some studies suggest harm marine ecosystems. As divers and marine conservationists, we have a responsibility to protect the environments we explore. Opt for mineral-based suncreams using zinc oxide or titanium dioxide( preferably non-nano) and always check the ingredient labels carefully. While terms like ' reef-safe ' are helpful, they’ re not strictly regulated, so informed choices matter.
Suunto Instructor offer
BSAC Instructors can take advantage of a fantastic new offer from Suunto UK, saving up to £ 280 on its Nautic dive computer. Exclusive to BSAC, the discount offer runs until 31 July. A world leader in the wearable tech industry, Suunto is renowned for its quality products, and is a favourite for many UK divers. Now, BSAC Instructors can make a significant saving on Suunto’ s‘ nextgeneration’ dive computer – the Nautic. Launched in 2025 as a‘ bold new era in dive computing’, the wrist-mounted Suunto Nautic has been designed to meet the evolving needs of both recreational and technical divers. It features a vivid AMOLED display, integrated GPS with offline maps, wireless tank pressure
monitoring, and unparalleled battery life, making it ideal for both training others and enjoying your own diving time. BSAC Instructors can now choose from two discount options:
Option 1: Suunto Nautic – with a choice of bungee or textile strap SRP £ 625- Instructor Offer Price- £ 425( saving you £ 200)
Option 2: Suunto Nautic- with bungee strap and Pod( for wireless tank data) SRP £ 875 – Instructor Offer Price- £ 595( saving you £ 280)
Suunto UK’ s Country Lead Ryan Crawford, a BSAC Instructor for over 35 years, said the discount offer was to recognise the invaluable contribution made by BSAC’ s instructing volunteers.“ I know firsthand the countless hours spent teaching, mentoring, and keeping divers safe— driven purely by love for the sport and our underwater world. This offer is a small gesture in recognition of the countless hours of volunteering that enable others to become part of our dive tribe.”
Building a culture of sun safety
Clubs and instructors play a vital role in normalising sun protection. Whether it’ s reminding members to reapply suncream, encouraging protective clothing, or integrating sun safety into briefings, small actions can drive meaningful change.
BSAC CEO Mary Tetley reinforced this shared responsibility:“ Over the years, we have become so much more aware of the impact of the sun and its reflection on the sea when we are all out diving, either in boats or shore diving. Using sunscreen should be part of our kitting-up process. Please remind each other so that we can protect our skin from the impact of the sun when we are out diving.”
The Melanoma Fund offers practical tools to support this shift, including the Sunguarding course for instructors, a free on-line CPD, and Sunguarding Outdoors resources tailored to activities like diving and snorkelling to raise awareness at club level. These resources help embed sun safety into everyday practice, making it second nature rather than an afterthought. Visit www. melanoma-fund. co. uk
■ For more information on BSAC’ s top sun protection tips this diving season, go to bsac. com / sunsafe
How to claim your Suunto Nautic discount
This exclusive offer is open to BSAC Open Water Instructors( who can provide proof of qualification) and above who are current BSAC members. They can claim their discount in one of two ways: Through a local Suunto dealer: You would be required to complete an application instore and provide a screenshot of your MyBSAC profile showing your Open Water Instructor( or above) qualification and proof of current BSAC membership. Buy direct: To buy directly from Suunto UK, you will need to email info @ suuntodm. co. uk requesting an application form. You will then need to complete this form and return it, along with a screenshot of your MyBSAC profile showing your Open Water Instructor( or above) qualification and proof of current BSAC membership. You will then be sent an invoice by email for payment before your new Nautic can be shipped out directly to you. More information on the Suunto Nautic- www. suunto. com
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