Sub-Aqua Association

The Sub Aqua Association (SAA) is one of the main UK-based diver training agencies along with the British Sub-Aqua Club and the Scottish Sub-Aqua Club. [ [http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/your_say/article606612.ece Times article on the UK Sport Diving Medical Committee and the agencies it advises] ] While the other principal training agency, PADI, organises its instruction mainly through professional instructors and dive shops, the UK-based agencies have traditionally used a club-based system with unpaid instructors.

Although BSAC is a single club with many branches, SAA is an association of independent dive clubs. [ [http://www.intute.ac.uk/socialsciences/cgi-bin/fullrecord.pl?handle=20003896 Intute: Social Sciences: Sub Aqua Association] ] SAA member clubs maintain their independence while diving and instructing to the national standards of the SAA and benefit from regional and national support. [ [http://www.saa.org.uk/quals.htm SAA Website - Qualifications] ]

The SAA is the UK affiliate to CMAS, at present having a seat on the CMAS Board of Directors and on both the CMAS Technical and Scientific Committees. [ [http://www.cmas.org/comsci/Federations/index.asp CMAS List of Affiliated Organisations] ] Application for CMAS cards for divers in Great Britain is done via the SAA.

The SAA is also a member of the British Diving Safety Group (BDSG). [ [http://www.bdsg.org/ British Diving Safety Group website] ] Given that UK waters are relatively cold and often have restricted visibility, the SAA training aims to be as comprehensive as possible. Specifically it places emphasis on rescue training very early in the programme.

The address of the Suba Aqua Association is:Space Solutions Business Centre, Sefton Lane, Maghull, Liverpool, L31 8BX, UK

External links

* [http://www.saa.org.uk Official web site]
* [http://www.calnedivers.co.uk Website of Calne Divers (Wiltshire), a member club of the SAA]

References