BSAC 18 - Huddersfield Sub Aqua Club

Like so many great organisations, the BSAC started small. A few enthusiasts got together and decided that divers needed a club... and the rest is history. In fact, it is the history of diving in the UK.

A summary of the key points in more than 50 years of continuous development in diver safety. The fascinating story of the evolution of the world's biggest diving club.

The British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) is by any measure a quite extraordinary organisation. Formed and run throughout its existence by enthusiastic and dedicated members, the club has successfully competed with commercially orientated bodies and has thrived in the process. From its beginnings the club has received world-wide recognition as a leader, standard-setter and innovator in the field of sport diving.

1953	The BSAC was formed in London in the autumn of 1953 by a number of "persons interested in underwater activities" whose 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 in the world's first dive to the depth of 1,000 feet (305 metres).
1954	The BSAC quickly became a significant force in sport diving and by the end of 1954 it had been recognised in Britain as the governing body for the new sport of underwater swimming, a responsibility which it still retains.
1955	The growth of the British Sub Aqua Club has been phenomenal. At the time of its first Annual General Meeting in December 1953, the Club had approximately 100 members. By January 1955, the membership had grown to over 1,100. Birth of Huddersfield Branch 18
1959	During 1959 the BSAC became a founding member of CMAS, the World Underwater Federation.
1976	In 1976 the BSAC responded to a growing demand for commercial training of sports divers by establishing the BSAC School system. BSAC Schools are independent businesses which are authorised to train and award a number of BSAC diving qualifications. There are currently over 200 BSAC Schools world-wide.
1979	To keep pace with this growth, the BSAC was reorganised as a Company Limited by Guarantee in 1979.
1987	From the outset, the BSAC has been active internationally, and by 1987 had established a network of branches throughout the world with over 14 per cent of its membership located outside the UK. During 1987 the BSAC formed a wholly owned subsidiary, BSAC International. BSAC International soon expanded and by the end of 1987 had entered into an agreement with a Japanese Company and BSAC Japan was formed.
1990	The Club moved from it's London Sports Council home in 1990 to it's own new office complex in the North West of England.
1995	BSAC approved the use of Nitrox by BSAC members, heralding the beginning of the development of mixed gas diving in the BSAC. Through the '90s the BSAC carefully tracked the development of new technologies involving the use of mixed gases and rebreathers, introducing them into diver training as programmes were developed.
1995	The 'Learn to Dive (in '95)' campaign was launched and is now an established annual promotion (re-named "Come & Dive) to introduce people to diving with try-dive sessions at local BSAC branches.
1997	The Ocean Diver qualification, was introduced, initially to be offered only by BSAC Schools. This was backed up by a completely new set of training material, including a dedicated video and a CD-Rom for instructors. BSAC Schools now had a programme which was the equal of any on offer, and ahead in many areas. This material was to be developed later for the new Branch qualification.
Today	The BSAC has some 45,000 members which makes it the largest single diving Club in the world.