The purposes of SAA Scuba, in addition to those of our parent organization's constitution, are to support the public education about, and provide for the protection of, the natural resources of our oceans and the life systems they support. We abide by the highest standards of safety and we encourage individuals to obtain official diver certification by recognized associations. Many of our recruits come from the ranks of interested snorkelers.

The Scuba Club's members and interested friends meet 4 or 5 times a year at private homes throughout the area, sharing dinner and listening to speakers discuss various subjects, including the care and maintenance of diving equipment, the use of dive tables, and the wonders of exotic diving destinations. Membership in DAN, the Divers Alert Network, is recommended as the club itself is an active supporter. DAN membership is required for all club sponsored out-of-country dive trips. Within our ranks are Certified Instructors, Dive Masters, Cave Divers, Mixed Gas Decompresson Divers, Safety and Advanced Open Water Divers, and newly certified Open Water Divers. Certification ranges from PADI, TDI, NACD, AINTD, SSI, NAUI; all highly respected organizations with the professional diving community.

Activities are as simple as a Sunday morning beach dive from a familiar location in South Florida and as elaborate as a week long excursion on a live-aboard, or a relaxing stay at a dive resort in Bonaire. Our membership has been involved in a variety of environmental and community projects that include: Save The Manatees, Audubon Sea Turtle Conservation, HCN, Our House, Hope House, Save Our Reefs Foundation, Ocean Watch, South Florida Reef Research Team, and St. Mary's Recompression Chamber. SAA Scuba's growing contribution in the South Florida community mirrors the club's motto: "Awareness Through Education-Responsibility Through Involvement". The Buddy System affords us the opportunity of mutual support and SAA is the agent that fulfills that bond.

SAA Scuba is a serious fraternity of safe divers who enjoy a social relationship that is rewarding to all those willing to participate in its active programs. We welcome all qualified individuals, and we say with pride that "Going Down Will Never be the Same Again".

SAA SCUBA Policies

SAA Scuba Membership List Policy

SAA Scuba will not release its membership list to anyone except officers of SAA Scuba, dive chairpersons, and then ONLY for official SAA business.

SAA Scuba will release its membership list to SAA only with the Scuba aliases substituted for member names.

SAA Scuba maintains an unrestricted membership list, which is distributed to Scuba members on demand, but may only be used by the requesting member for SAA Scuba business. Violations of this rule are viewed seriously by the membership. Inclusion on this open membership list is optional.

SAA Scuba Financial Policy

To avoid disagreements and disappointments, we find it necessary to conduct our financial business according to the following rules. Exceptions can only be granted by a vote of the Board of Directors. The organizer of an event cannot grant exceptions.

Deposits for trips are not refundable. You can cancel only by finding a replacement who will reimburse you for your deposit. It is up to you to find a member or qualified guest to fill your slot and make payment in full.

SAA Scuba strongly encourages that all payments other than "on-the-spot" collections be made by check. The purpose of the payment is to be stated on the check, affording evidence of payment and leaving an audit trail.

Everyone who tenders cash for a payment has to provide a receipt for the payee to sign, stating date, amount of payment, reason for payment, payer and payee.

In case of a payment dispute, the burden of proof is on the member or guest. Only a cancelled check or signed "cash receipt" shall constitute proof of payment.

SAA Scuba dues are payable to the Membership Chairperson annually, on or before the date of expiration. The membership VP shall update the club files and forward the check (payable to SAA Scuba) to the current Treasurer of SAA Scuba.

NOTE: Scuba members are volunteers of a Not-for-Profit organization. Officers, chairpersons or members shall not be compensated for club sponsored activities other than legitimate and authorized expenses incurred. Complimentary trips, dives, monies, etc. received without authorization is in conflict with club policy of profit making and funds disbursement.

SAA Scuba diving Requirements

Scuba membership can be terminated when any individual uses falsely documented certification credentials and/or assists in falsely documenting the certification of any guest participating in a club sponsored dive.

Members shall not in any way assist in the obtaining of air fills for individuals who are not properly certified.

Our club abides by PADI/NAUI "Good Buddy" diving practices and members are expected to do a safety stop on all deep dives (for 3 minutes at 15 feet MINIMUM).

DAN membership is recommended. DAN insurance is required on all out-of-country club sponsored dives.

SAA Scuba advocates a drug free diving environment and illegal substances are not permitted on boats.