For new members
Welcome to the club! We're a branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC). This page contains a summary of the important information that you may need to help with your future BSAC diving adventures. If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to email a committee member or come along to a club meeting. The current committee members are shown on the Committee page and contact details for members are available on the Member List page.
Club meetings
The club meets each week for food and conversation; except for the first Tuesday of the month when we have a more formal meeting. See the Contact page for details. You will get much more from being a member if you come along to these events and become part of the life of the club.
Brisbane-BSAC Online
Pictures, interesting information and changes to these meetings are announced on the club Facebook page . If this link is ever broken search for the ‘Brisbane BSAC’ group. You can also follow us on Instagram: bsac_brisbane.
The club website also contains a lot of useful information. As a member you will receive a login for the ‘members only’ sections. This will allow you to sign up to trips, hire club equipment, and access contact details for other members. Our main way of contacting club members is via email, so make sure you keep your email address up to date. If you don’t receive a login or start to receive club emails please let me know.
Member welfare
Brisbane Sub Aqua Club is an incorporated entity and operates within a Constitution and a set of Standing Orders which can be found on the website. We follow a welfare system set by the British Sub Aqua Club named “Buddy Guard”, designed to protect the welfare of all members of the club, and in particular minors and vulnerable adults. Go to the Member Welfare page for more information. BSAC’s welfare system is also outlined in the club Standing Orders. The Buddy Guard document can also be found on the website. If you have any concerns about the treatment of yourself or any other member of BSAC contact the Club Welfare Officer or the Diving Officer to discuss the matter confidentially.
Training and refresher
Training courses are run throughout the year based on requests from club members. If you would like training contact the Training Officer in the first instance to discuss the options available.
Kit hire
The club has several sets of scuba equipment available for club members to hire. Details of the costs and hiring process are available on the Equipment page of the website. If you have difficulties with the booking form or anything is unclear please contact the Equipment Officer.
Once again let me welcome you to our club. I sincerely hope that you enjoy your time with us, both in your diving and socially.
Top tips for new members
Doing the following 10 things will help you get the most from your club membership.
| Tips | Reasons |
|---|---|
| Save website, username, password and account details |
You will need to log in to this site every time you want to register for dives and see member-only content. So bookmark the Brisbane Sub Aqua Club website save your Username and Password details. You may also want to save the branch bank account to your online banking address book: Brisbane Sub Aqua Club | BSB 034002 | Account Number 138009 |
| Join the branch Facebook group and subscribe on Instagram |
The Brisbane Sub Aqua Club Facebook Group is where photographs and news usually appear. Instagram user name: bsac_brisbane. |
| Organise a check-dive | If you still need a check-dive then contact the Training Officer, discuss your needs and diving history and get this out of the way. |
| Register for your first club dive | Go to the Events web page on this site and register for your first dive - after your check-dive, of course. |
| Do your cross-over lecture if required |
If you are certified with another agency then you should do a cross-over lecture when it can be organised. Keep this in mind and discuss it with the Diving Officer, Training Officer or an instructor. |
| Do cross-over training if required |
Depending on your existing certifications you may also need/want to develop skills that are expected by BSAC at your level. These may include gas-planning, planning a decompression dive, deploying a DSMB and others. Discuss this with the Training Officer. |
| Check out skill development courses |
BSAC is a training agency as well as a club. Skill development courses are offered throughout the year to increase skills or keep skills fresh. You can do these as formal qualifications or in some cases as informal experience/skill-development exercises. |
| Read the BSAC Safe Diving resources | Bookmark the BSAC website and at least go to the Diving Safety section. There are some great resources here that you should be familiar with. One of these is the Safe Diving booklet, downloadable as a PDF. |
| Find out about club equipment |
Go to the Equipment web page on this site and read up on equipment hire, equipment checking and the care and maintenance of equipment. Also find out about how and where to get cylinders refilled. Find out all about special club deals on cylinder fills and hydrostatic testing. |
Are you properly equipped for your first BSAC dive?
Members must bring the required equipment for every dive. If you do not have a required item you will not be permitted to dive.
You can hire major items of kit but under Queensland regulations you will need to make sure you have certain things for every dive.
- a cutting device - knife, cutter or shears
- safety sausage and/or DSMB
- whistle
- snorkel
You may want to seriously consider bringing these on every dive:
- anti sea-sickness tablets
- hat and sunscreen
- windproof, waterproof jacket (even on warm days!)
For a more detailed equipment list go to the Equipment List web page on this site.