| CLASSIC DIVE BOOKS
British Sub-Aqua Club (manual).
This book has only recently
been given the honour of its own webpage simply because of its tremendous
influence and impact on sport diving instruction since the formation of
the organisation in 1953.
Please note: The books are listed for interest only, and not offered for sale. |
See also
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HOMEPAGE |
| THE
B.S.A.C. DIVING MANUAL
The British Sub Aqua Club diving manual, a comprehensive guide to the techniques of underwater swimming - many editions since 1959, and regarded as one of the authorative books on recreational scuba diving in the world. The BS-AC (British Sub-Aqua Club) was formed in 1953 by Peter Small and Oscar Gugen. Initially, number 1 branch met in London but other branches around the UK quickly followed. The club started issuing magazines called “Neptune” in September 1954 to keep in touch with this new national club membership and in June 1956 that was replaced with “Triton” magazine. Then in 1959, two members called George Brookes and Alan Broadhurst published a comprehensive diving manual, available for 10 shillings to club members and is arguably the first ever dedicated sports diver training manual ever published. The first edition was roughly A4 in format with card covers and comb bound, the manual had instructions and illustrations to accompany diver training. Issues 2 to 4 were still card covers comb bound but later editions were normal books with hard covers. New and revised editions were published almost every year and the manual is still available today but now reflecting the international dive club and organisation the British Sub-Aqua Club has now become. The book covers topics such as training, psychology of diving, physics, medical, equipment, techniques, the open water, underwater activities, public relations, BSAC endorsements. (Thankyou Phil Thurtle for images and text; a wonderfully informative contribution). For your convenience:
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THE BRITISH SUB-AQUA CLUB HANDBOOK - 1954
Dimensions 20.5 cms tall by 13.5 cms wide Although published in 1954, this was written from the time of the creation of the British Sub-Aqua Club late in 1953. The introduction in this 16 page handbook is written by Oscar Googan, one of the co-founders and at the time it cost 30 shillings (£1.50) a year to be a British Sub-Aqua Club member. It goes on to say how the club was originally organised and refers to a magazine to be given to members but at the time it was not named (soon to be called NEPTUNE). It also includes the rules of the BS-AC and the training programmes for the primary proficiency test, intermediate test, advanced training and finally the advanced proficiency test.
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THE BRITISH SUB-AQUA CLUB DIVING MANUAL
First edition. Published in 1959; 102 printed pages. Book format is 11 ins tall by 9 ins wide and comb bound. |
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THE BRITISH SUB-AQUA CLUB DIVING MANUAL
Second Edition: Published in 1960, has 240 printed pages plus ads to page xvi in back. Book format reduced in size from first to 8.75 ins tall by 5.5 ins wide and is comb bound. Revised in 1961. Third Edition: Published in 1962, has 240 printed pages plus ads to page xvi in back. Book format 8.75 ins tall by 5.5 ins wide and the cover is identical to the 2nd edition wide and is comb bound. Fourth Edition: Published in 1964, has 240 printed pages plus ads to page x in back. Book format 8.75 ins tall by 5.5 ins wide and the cover is identical to the 2nd and 3rd edition wide and is comb bound. Includes ten pages of advertisements. There was also a revised 4th edition in 1965. [ps] |
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THE BRITISH SUB-AQUA CLUB DIVING MANUAL
Fifth Edition: Published in 1966, format 8.75 ins tall by 5.5 inches wide and is comb bound. New format cover and was revised in 1967. |
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THE BRITISH SUB-AQUA CLUB DIVING MANUAL
Seventh Edition. Published in 1972 and still hardback book. 515 printed pages
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THE BRITISH SUB-AQUA CLUB DIVING MANUAL
Eighth Edition. Published in 1975 and still hardback book. 515 printed pages |
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THE BRITISH SUB-AQUA CLUB DIVING MANUAL
Ninth Edition. Published 1976. Hardcover, similar to eight edition released previous year, however with 506 pages. |
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SPORT DIVING THE BRITISH SUB-AQUA CLUB DIVING MANUAL 1985 Edition. 256 printed pages Returned to larger format of 9.5 ins tall by 7.5 ins wide as a bound book with soft covers. Stays same size and format to the latest manual today. |
SPORT DIVING THE BRITISH SUB-AQUA CLUB DIVING MANUAL 1993 Edition. 256 printed pages |
SPORT DIVING THE BRITISH SUB-AQUA CLUB DIVING MANUAL 1998 Edition. 256 printed pages |
SPORT DIVING THE BRITISH SUB-AQUA CLUB DIVING MANUAL 2000 Edition. 256 printed pages |
THE DIVING MANUAL THE BRITISH SUB-AQUA CLUB DIVING MANUAL 2002 Edition. 161 printed pages However in 2002, the book launch for the new manual, now drastically smaller in pages, refers to 2002 issue as a “first edition”, seemingly dropping all reference to the books in the past. |
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ADVANCED SPORT DIVING
The British Sub-Aqua Club. Various contributors. Published by Stanley, Paul and Co Ltd, London in 1990 Illustrated Card Covers - 154 printed pages Dimensions: 24 cms tall by 18.5 cms wide Issued in the same format as the diving manual published by the British Sub-Aqua Club between 1985 and 1998. It was written as an advanced manual for the diving manual the student is given as part of the joing pack. This was written with countless colour and monochrome photographs, drawings and tables and has 6 sections: "Dive Planning", "Decompression", "Decompression Wreck Diving", "Underwater Techniques", "Specialist Diving", "Expedition Diving". As you would expect, the contents are rather "tired" and I am sure updates versions would have been published in subsequent years. |
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SNORKELLING FOR ALL
The British Sub-Aqua Club Various contributors. Published by Stanley, Paul and Co Ltd, London in 1991 Illustrated Card Covers - 1 18 printed pages Dimensions: 24 cms tall by 18.5 cms wide In 1974, the BS-AC started the National Snorkellers Club (NSC), primarilary aimed at children to get them interested in divingbefore they were old enough at 14 at that time. In the forward, it states there were over 50,000 NSC members in 1990 and this manual quickly followed. The book takes the reader (both young and old) through snorkelling equipment and techniques in a sheltered pool as well as open water. It goes on to look at snorkelling activities including "Octopush", "Aqualacrosse", "competition Fin Swimming" and Photography. Extremely well illustrated with both coloured and monochrome photographs, diagrams and drawings. Sold at the time for £9.99, it was possibly a little steep for the intended juvenile membership. |
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SAFETY AND RESCUE FOR DIVERS
The British Sub-Aqua Club. First published in the United Kingdom in 1987 by Stanley Paul & Co.Ltd, which appears to be associated with Random House, London. Revised editions 1991, 1993 (the latter as shown). Softcover, quarto size, 142 pages, index, mono and colour photographs and drawings throughout. In seven sections: Prevention; First Aid; Rescue Skills; Rescue Techniques; Rescue Management; Rescue Equipment; Hazardous Marine Life. |
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SEAMANSHIP FOR DIVERS
The British Sub-Aqua Club. First published in the United Kingdom in 1986 by Stanley Paul & Co.Ltd, which appears to be associated with Random House, London. Softcover, quarto size, 160 pages, index, mono and colour photographs and drawings throughout. In five sections plus appendecies. Sections: Basic Seamanship; Small Boats; Diving from Charter Boats; Navigation; The Weather. A very well produced, important and informative book. Have there been any updates? |
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THE EXPEDITION MANUAL - Taking Your Diving Further.
Geoff Hide and Andy Hunt. A BSAC publication, published by Circle Publishing, Surry, UK, 2010. Softcover, 159 pages, index, full colour throughout. Often our diving is in remote locations where the regular safety and medical facilities are not readily available, so it is important to give extra consideration to safety, not only with respect to accident prevention but also to the availability of assistance. This booik is no doubt more of use to the expedition leader, although as the blurb indicates, it is of use to anyone who dives. The book'ss base is on effective organisation and planning, both of which reduce the opportunity for things to go wrong, and help to achieeve the objective of the expedition, be it just for recreational diving or a more objective-related activity ssuch as marine survey or wreck inspection. The case studies preovide examples of what can go wrong and how undesirable situations can be avoided. An excellent book in many respects, unique in its content, and very well produced. From the blurb:A must-have for all divers who want to extend their personal diving skills and experience diving as part of a team, The Expedition Manual is good reading for all levels of diver - from those with only a few dives to those who have been diving for years. Chapters focus on all aspects of diving expeditions, from leadership, through research and planning, to the equipment required and how to deal with emergencies. Actual case studies are used throughout this practical manual, and are complemented by many diagrams and photographs. [ps] Note: Currently in print. Available from BSAC, or Oceans Enterprises. |
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TEACHING SCUBA DIVING
Published by: The British Sub-Aqua Club in 1996. Illustrated card covers - 122 printed pages Dimensions: 24 cms tall by 18.5 cms wide Published by the BS-AC as an aid to qualified instructors when teaching SCUBA, it was written by various eminent BS-AC advanced instructors. It is divided into 11 chapters: "The SCUBA Instructor", "The Learning Process"< "The Teaching Process", "Practical Teaching", "Classroom Teaching", "Advanced Lecturing", "Visual Aids", "Teaching Basic Skills", "Teaching in Open Water", "Assessing Performance" and "BSAC Instructor Grades". Withing the BSAC at the time, the instructor path went from "Club Instructor" to "Open Water Instructor" to "Advanced Instructor" and "National Instructor", the latter being the highest possible. As with all BS-AC training manuals, it is very well illustrated with countless colour photographs, diagrams and charts. As with all the manuals as techniques and time changes, this has been modified to keep it up to date. |
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BSAC STUDENT DIVER WORKBOOKS
Published by: the BS-AC in 1992 (also later revised) Card covers, stapled Dimensions: 22.5 cms tall by 17.0 cms wide (Novice Diver only) ; 24.0 cms tall by 18.5 cms wide (Sports Diver only) 24.0 cms tall by 18.5 cms wide (Dive Leader and Advanced Diver only) Four workbooks, all with similar designed covers. Novice Workbook – 60 printed pages Sports Diver Workbook - 60 Printed pages Dive Leader Workbook – 48 printed pages Advanced Diver Workbook – 80 printed pages In 1992, the British Sub-Aqua Club started issuing workbooks to student divers to accompany both the theory and practical side of the training. They were written to compliment the diving manual at the time with references to the manual throughout. As the course became more advanced, references were also made to the other training manuals like “Seamanship for Divers”, “Safety and Rescue For Divers” and “Advanced Sports Diving” – the student were expected to expand the knowledge by reading manuals in conjunction with these small training books. Until these were issued, all the students received upon joining were the current diving manual which was (and still is) a very comprehensive training manual. At the time, the BS-AC had modified their training scheme to introduce various new levels of diver qualifications. There was “Novice 1” for someone who had finished training in a sheltered environment like a swimming pool, followed by “Novice 2” for the individual who had completed open water training but were only allowed to dive under supervision with a “Dive Leader” or higher grade. The next level was “Sports Diver” (CMAS *) and once the series of training was completed, a sports diver was allowed to dive with another sports diver or higher. They could then progress to “Dive Leader” (CMAS **) and “Advanced Diver” (CMAS ***). These “Student Workbooks” accompanied the training course at each level and were also a good revision aide, complete with revision questions after each theory module. Today (2010), the BS-AC have changed the lowest qualification to “Ocean Diver” (CMAS *), having called it “Club Diver” in the interim years but the other higher grade qualifications still stand today, although the training has been modified to meet today’s sports diver’s needs and changes in techniques. |
| The British Sub-Aqua Club produced several excellent magazines over the years. |
NEPTUNE Magazine First Issued in September 1954 to members of the BS-AC. Replaced by TRITON Magazine in June 1956. |
TRITON Magazine First Issued from June 1956 and issued every two months to members, later it was changed to 12 issues per year. Replaced with DIVER magazine in March 1978 |
DIVER Magazine First published and sent to BS-AC members from March 1978, 12 issues per year to all members. Replaced with DIVE Magazine in June 1999. |
DIVE Magazine First published and sent to BS-AC members monthly from June 1999 but last issue sent to members in November 2011 Replaced with SCUBA Magazine; issued monthly to BS-AC members from December 2011. |
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