New members FAQ

If you're thinking of joining DUSAC, whether you've dived before or never donned a pair of fins, then great - we'd love to hear from you. Hopefully this page will answer most of your questions, but if not then you can get in touch with us here to ask more.

Why join DUSAC?

Some of the best things College can offer are the opportunities to meet new people, to try new experiences, and to find out you can achieve things you'd never expected. We think that DUSAC gives you all of this and more.

In DUSAC you can discover the amazing life of Ireland's seas, learn new skills and acquire internationally-recognised diving qualifications, and make friends from all over College. We've a huge amount going on - courses covering all aspects of sport diving, lots of dive trips, inspiring speakers and great social nights out. And - not least - we're absolutely the cheapest way you'll get to dive.

What does the club do?

Lots of diving! In autumn and winter we train our new beginners, and in spring and summer we go diving, all around Ireland and sometimes abroad too. Click here for all the places we've been to in Ireland.

We do social nights too - Mondays in the pub, film nights, table quizzes, the big summer BBQ and more - and we get some great speakers to share their love of diving and all things marine. But mostly we do a lot of diving, and we mean a LOT - our jam-packed calendar will show you just how much.

Who can join DUSAC?

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 be members of the TCD Sports Centre (all TCD students are members automatically).

When can I join? 

Each October we have places for 32 people who have never dived before and 16 'crossover' divers who have a one-star diving qualification - mostly PADI open water / advanced open water.

In January we usually offer places for a further 16 crossover divers, but no additional beginners.

Divers with higher level qualifications (CMAS 2* and up) can join throughout the year - but see note on membership renewal dates here.

What do I need to sign up?

• 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

How much will it cost?

The cost depends on whether or not you are a student, or have a previous diving qualification.

Student fees are lower than graduate / staff fees. New trainees pay more than experienced divers and instructors to cover the costs of their training.

Currently students with no dive qualifications or 1* qualifications pay €180, and staff and graduates pay €265. For the full table of current fees, see the membership fees page.

Fees cover insurance, BSAC membership, course materials and upkeep of club equipment. Members can borrow club equipment for free, though will need at least to get boots and - when open water diving begins - gloves and weights as well. Full details of equipment needed are here.

I've a medical condition - can I still join?

On the night, you'll need to complete the BS-AC self declaration medical form (click here to see a copy). If you answer 'yes' to any of the health questions, you'll need to see a medical referee to check if you are OK to dive.

I have a diving qualification - will DUSAC recognise it?

If you already have a recognised dive qualification, you should be able to join us at the equivalent BS-AC grade. BS-AC give details of cross-over grades for different diving agencies here.

If your grade is equivalent to BS-AC Ocean Diver, you may have to attend some lectures from the Ocean Diver course, and do a couple of pool lessons, starting in October.

If you have a higher qualification, please talk to our Training Officer or Diving Officer.

Can I try out diving before signing up?

Yes! We're putting on a try-dive in the TCD pool on Monday 26th Sept at 8pm. Bring swimming togs, hat, T-shirt and we'll provide the rest. NB - you'll need proof you're a student, or gym membership to get in. Full details are here.

What happens once I've joined?

If you've never dived before, you'll do the complete BS-AC Ocean Diver and Sports Diver courses, beginning in September and running through to March, when we have an open water trip away to Galway. All information on training can be found here. With a Sports Diver qualification (CMAS 2* equivalent), you can dive at dive centres all over the world with people of the same qualification as yourself, and you'll have the confidence and skills to work towards even higher qualification levels.

If you already have a basic diving qualification, you do a shorter version of the training, but working towards the same BSAC qualifications.

If you have a 2* qualification, you can join at the equivalent BS-AC level (so long as the Diving Officer approves) and start doing the more advanced BS-AC courses - and come diving!

Where can I find more information?

We'll have a stand in September at the Freshers' fair in Front Square in Trinity in September, and we'd love you to come and talk to us.

The Monday after Fresher's week, we usually have a try-dive session in the Trinity Pool. If you want to have a go at diving before signing up, then come along. It'll cost €5, but that's refundable if you go on to join the club!

During Freshers' week, we usually have an introduction night where you can hear a bit about the club and see some great photos of DUSAC dives and trips.

Click here for a map of Trinity showing where you'll find us for all our events in College.

 

If you've further questions, you can e-mail our diving officer, Julian, our training officer, Eoin, and our membership officer, Kate, with any questions.

And finally do have a look around the website - especially at our trainee & crossover diver page.

Renewing members

Membership renewal

For existing members, membership fees are due each year on November 1st. If you renew after this date, your membership will still only run until the following November 1st. The club may offer concessions for anyone renewing near the end of the diving season, or where other extraordinary circumstances apply.

How to renew

To renew, you need to provide the membership secretary with:

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

Your membership will only be renewed once you have provided all of these.

Fees

For current fees, see the membership fees page.

Membership fees

Membership fees from April 2012

Membership fees cover your subscription to DUSAC ('Air Money') and to the BSAC, which provides 3rd-party insurance.

 

	Student (€)	Grad/Staff (€)
DUSAC 'air money'
Trainee / Crossover	140	195
Ocean / Club diver (OD / CD)	70	125
Sports diver (SD)	70	115
Dive leader (DL)	60	105
Advanced diver (AD)	35	90
First class diver (FCD)	0	75
National Instructor	0	0
BSAC membership
Trainee / OD / CD / SD / DL / ACI	40	75
Club / Open Water instructor / AD	40	65
Advanced instructor / FCD	40	60
National instructor	40	45
Abated member	40	55

 

Example: A student with no previous diving qualification pays €180 (€140 air money + €40 BSAC membership). For a non-student, the cost is €270 (€195 air money + €75 BSAC membership).

 

Claiming student membership

To qualify for the DUSAC air money student rate, you must be a TCD student. However, the BSAC student membership fee applies for students in any college. For example, a student of UCD who is a dive leader pays €105 DUSAC air money, but only €40 BSAC membership. If you are claiming BSAC student membership, you must provide a photocopy of your student card.