Joining

When do you accept Incoming Members? 

DUSAC takes on new members twice a year. In September each year we take on 32 new trainees (people who have never dived before) and 16 Crossovers (those who already have a diving qualification). In January each year we accept a further 16 Crossovers. 

Who Can Join? 

To join the club you must be a current TCD student (undergraduate or postgraduate), a TCD staff member, or a TCD graduate. Staff and graduates must also join DUCAC. 

Joining the DUSAC website 

Certain areas of the DUSAC site, such as the discussion fora, are only accessible if you are a member of DUSAC. Existing and previous DUSAC members are welcome on the current DUSAC site. To join register here where you will then need to be manually authorised.

Beginners / 'Crossover' divers

Your provost wants YOU to join DUSAC!

Every year, in October, we take on a large number of new trainee members. Usual numbers are:

• 32 "novices" - who have not dived before
• up to 16 "crossovers" - with CMAS 1* equivalent qualifications (eg PADI open water diver)
• a further 16 "crossovers" at the beginning of the Hilary term in January.

During the course of the year, we provide training to bring these new members up to the level of BS-AC Sports Diver (CMAS 2* equivalent).

New trainees join at the start of the Michaelmas Term.

DUSAC has a stand in Front Square on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of Freshers' week where you can get details on costs, training etc. Look out for a large orange boat and lots of enthusiastic people trying to persuade you to take up diving with us.

We are also holding an information session and slide show at 18:30 on Thursday the 24th of September in room 3051 (Arts Block) where you can find out even more about what the club does. After the slide show, you can pay a €20 deposit to secure your place. If you can't make Thursday, don't panic; our official sign-up evening is the following Monday.

Our official sign-up for new trainees and crossovers is on the Monday following Freshers' Week (Monday the 28th of September) at 19:00 in the Joly theatre (Hamilton building). There will be separate queues for trainees and for those with previous experience and qualifications. For details on the location, talk to anyone on the stand during Freshers' Week or email the membership secretary. Here's what you'll need to bring with you on the Monday night:

• Your membership fee (cheques can me made out to Dublin University Sub-Aqua Club)
• Copies of any diving qualifications you hold
• Copy of your student card (if you're a student)
• A passport photo

As places are limited there is usually a large crowd, so it is best to queue early. Also, please note that the first lecture is immediately after the sign-up.

Pool training and lectures for trainees take place from October to February. We run the BS-AC Ocean Diver course starting in October, and the Sports Diver course starting around December. 'Crossover' divers will be strongly encouraged to attend the Ocean Diver course lectures as a refresher and also to establish common diving practices; their training proper, however, begins with the Sports Diver course.

Qualified divers

In addition to new trainees, we are happy to take on new members who already hold CMAS 2* equivalent or higher qualifications. Divers who have obtained such qualifications through another agency than the BS-AC can join at the equivalent BS-AC diving grade, at the Diving Officer's discretion. Generally, new 2* or higher-qualified divers may join at any time of the year, but see note on membership dates below.

Membership Renewal 2009-2010

For members other than trainees or crossovers, membership fees are due each year on November 1st. For people joining after this date, membership will still only run until the following November 1st. The club may consider discretionary reduction in membership rates for people joining towards the end of the diving season or in other extraordinary circumstances.

How to Renew

To complete your renewal, here's what you need to provide to the membership secretary:

• Membership fee in full (see table below for fee breakdown)
• Photocopy of your student card if you are claiming BSAC student membership (see section on student membership below)
• Self declaration medical form fully filled out and signed (available here)
• Signed BS-AC renewal form (available from the membership secretary)

Your renewal is only deemed complete after all of the above criteria have been met.

Membership Fees

Membership fees are broken down into subscriptions to DUSAC ('Air Money') and to the BS-AC, which includes 3rd-party insurance. Student fees are lower than graduate / staff fees. New trainees pay more than experienced divers and instructors to cover the costs of their training (pool rental, logbooks etc).

Example: If you are a student and don’t hold any diving qualification, the fee is €175 (€140 air money + €35 BSAC membership). For a non-student, the cost would be €260 (€195 air money + €65 BSAC membership).

Claiming Student Membership

Note that you must be a student of Trinity College Dublin to be eligible for the DUSAC air money student rate. However, students in any college can claim BSAC student membership. For example, a student of UCD who is a dive leader pays €105 DUSAC air money, but only €35 BSAC membership. If you are claiming BSAC student membership, you must provide a photocopy of your student card.

Any Questions?

Contact the membership secretary with any further questions on joining or renewing.