| 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. |
| 1954 |
The BSAC quickly became a significant force in sports 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. |
| 1959 |
During 1959 the BSAC became a founding member of CMAS, the World Underwater Federation. |
| 1976 |
In 1976 the Club 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 Club was reorganised as a Company Limited by Guarantee in 1979. |
| 1987 |
From the outset the Club 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 its London Sports Council home in 1990 to its 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 club.Through the '90s the BSAC carefully tracks the development of new technologies involving the use of mixed gases and rebreathers, introducing them into diver training as programmes are developed. |
| 1995 |
The Learn to Dive (in '95) campaign was launched. The first in a now established series of annual promotions (re-named "Come & Dive) to introduce people to diving with try-dive sessions at local branches. |
| 1997 |
A new qualification, Ocean Diver, 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.
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