Sub-Aqua Association

The Sub-Aqua Association was created in 1976 to represent diving clubs outside of the BSAC branch structure. Its training structure is based on the BSAC levels and offers a full range of diving qualifications.{{cite web |url=http://www.divernet.com/cgi-bin/articles.pl?id=2533&sc=&ac=d&an= |title=Sub-Aqua Association |date=October 2001 |publisher=Diver magazine |access-date=21 November 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} The association is made up of independent clubs, while the BSAC is a single club with many branches.[http://www.intute.ac.uk/socialsciences/cgi-bin/fullrecord.pl?handle=20003896 Intute: Social Sciences: Sub Aqua Association]

Sub-Aqua Association member clubs maintain their independence and individual clubs organize diving programs and instruction according to the national standards of the association.[http://www.saa.org.uk/quals.htm SAA Website - Qualifications] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406104304/http://www.saa.org.uk/quals.htm |date=6 April 2008 }} The association provides regional and national support for these activities. The SAA is one of two UK affiliates to World Underwater Federation (CMAS), the international umbrella organisation for diver training organizations, and has voting rights for both CMAS Technical and Scientific Committees.[http://www.cmas.org/comsci/Federations/index.asp CMAS List of Affiliated Organisations]

Application for CMAS cards (qualification or "C-cards") for divers in Great Britain is done via the SAA and its qualifications are accepted worldwide through the CMAS affiliation.

The association's training focuses on preparedness for the relatively cold and often visibility restricted waters around the UK. The SAA training also aims to be as comprehensive as possible, emphasizing rescue training very early in the programme.{{cite web |url=http://www.saa.org.uk/Portals/0/Club_manual/CGM/11.2.%20DIVER%20TRAINING%20PROGRAM.pdf |title=C.M.A.S. Diver Training Program |date=18 January 2005 |publisher=Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques |pages=4, 6 |access-date=23 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719031511/http://www.saa.org.uk/Portals/0/Club_manual/CGM/11.2.%20DIVER%20TRAINING%20PROGRAM.pdf |archive-date=19 July 2011 }} 1 T 10 and 1 P 6 cover rescue. The association exercises regulation of its membership and has disqualified divers found guilty of breaches of its safety rules.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/3414617.stm |title=Diving club members banned |date=20 January 2004 |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=22 November 2008}}

The SAA is a member of the British Diving Safety Group (BDSG),[http://www.bdsg.org/ British Diving Safety Group website] CMAS Europe.{{cite web|title=CMAS Europe Articles of Association, 25 June 2005 |url=http://www.svazpotapecu.cz/usrfile/pdf/2/CMAS_EUROPE-Articles_of_Association-25th_June_2005.pdf |access-date=30 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227083812/http://www.svazpotapecu.cz/usrfile/pdf/2/CMAS_EUROPE-Articles_of_Association-25th_June_2005.pdf |archive-date=27 December 2013 }} and the Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee (JNAPC).{{cite web|title=(JNAPC) Membership|url=http://www.jnapc.org.uk/members.htm|publisher=Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee|access-date=14 November 2012}} It also collaborates with other external organisations, such as the Marine Conservation Society, Seasearch,{{cite web|url=http://seasearch.wisshost.net/partners.html|title=Project Partners|date=5 October 2008|publisher=Seasearch|access-date=22 November 2008}} and other environmental groups,{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/isle_of_man/6949359.stm |title=Concern over sea dredging licence |date=16 August 2007 |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=22 November 2008}} the media,{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/4263761.stm |title=Underwater gnome threat 'returns' |date=14 February 2005 |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation| access-date=22 November 2008}} and examination boards to provide advice and expertise.{{cite web|url=http://www.ocr.org.uk/Data/publications/support_materials/L_A_Level_PE_SM_Outdoor_Sub_aqua_diving.pdf |title=AS/A2 Physical Education (Units 2564 & 2567) - Outdoor and Adventurous Activities: Sub Aqua Diving |author=Roberts |date=October 2004 |publisher=Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR) |access-date=21 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617193453/http://www.ocr.org.uk/Data/publications/support_materials/L_A_Level_PE_SM_Outdoor_Sub_aqua_diving.pdf |archive-date=17 June 2009 }}

The SAA also acts as an advocate for amateur divers in the UK, representing their views to government agencies and similar bodies.{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmenvfru/76/76we08.htm |title=House of Commons - Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Written Evidence |date=March 2004 |publisher=United Kingdom Parliament |access-date=21 November 2008}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.saa.org.uk Sub-Aqua Association official web site]

• [http://www.bdsg.org/ British Diving Safety Group (BDSG)]

{{Underwater diving|trareg}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Sports organisations of the United Kingdom

Category:Underwater diving organizations

Category:Underwater diving in the United Kingdom

Category:Underwater diving training organizations