THE CLUB

The Jamaica Scuba Diving Club (JSDC) is an amateur association of persons who have come together to engage in scuba diving as a hobby. The Club is operated as a not-for-profit association and meets operational expenses primarily through membership subscriptions, any surplus generated from members utilising the clubhouse, renting club equipment or participating in miscellaneous fund-raising events. The Club seeks to promote scuba diving for pleasure and education in a safe manner. With a view to achieving this, the Club provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and information and encourages continuing education, environmental conservation, good sportsmanship, and co-operation with all other users of the marine environment. Your participation in the Club will allow you to develop a network of dive buddies, meet new friends and enjoy the camaraderie renowned among fellow scuba divers.

CLUB ACTIVITIES

Members meet informally at 9:00pm every Thursday night at the clubhouse situated at 10 Altamont Crescent (behind the Hilton Hotel, New Kingston). This affords members an opportunity to socialise in relaxed setting, make arrangements with other members to go diving on the upcoming weekend etc., to rent club equipment as required and participate in continuing education (which is organised periodically). Club dives are normally organised every second weekend (either Saturday or Sunday) with extended excursions and mid-week night dives taking place periodically. Active JSDC members regularly organise additional dive outings. For a map of the club location click here: JSDC clubhouse location.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the Club is offered to scuba divers holding internationally recognised diving qualifications (PADI Open Water or equivalent) with a minimum of 10 logged post-qualification dives. There are two classes of membership offered: Diving Member (for persons aged 18 years and over) and Junior Member (for those aged between 12-18 years). All non-divers shall be regarded as Guests of the Club. The Club’s Constitution (including Schedules thereto) sets out rules on membership, termination etc. Please note that a person’s membership of the Club can be terminated at the discretion of the JSDC Executive Committee.

APPLYING FOR MEMBERSHIP

If you wish to become a member of JSDC, you must: 1. Complete a Membership Application Form, append a photocopy of your Certification Card, and give it to the Secretary or other officer of the Club for consideration. Your Dive Log and Certification Card should be available for inspection by the Club’s Diving Officer as and when required. 2. Read carefully the following documents which will be given to you: · Liability Release, Waiver of Claims, Express Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement · Statement of Understanding of Safe Diving Practices · Medical Statement 3. If your membership application is successful, you will be enrolled as a member of JSDC in consideration for agreeing to and signing the above documents (and undertaking a Medical Examination if required). 4. Pay your annual membership subscription (there is no Joining Fee). 5. Pay your Diver Liability Insurance Premium (unless exempted) in order to participate in Club diving activities.

MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS

All Members pay an annual subscription to JSDC. The annual subscription is set by the Club’s Executive Committee and is payable in respect of each calendar year. Please note that the payment of the subscription does not automatically entitle you to participate in the Club’s diving activities (this will continue to be at the discretion of the Club’s Diving Officer). Each Member will be issued with a membership card (renewed annually) which can be presented at certain dive facilities/retail outlets to secure discounts which have been negotiated by the Club on its Members’ behalf.

LIABILITY RELEASE, WAIVER OF CLAIMS & EXPRESS ASSUMPTION OF RISK

As scuba diving is an inherently risky sport, the Club operates on the premise that any individual participating in scuba diving activities with club members etc. shall be solely responsible for his or her own safety, comfort and well-being. This means that neither the Club, its members etc. shall be held responsible in any way for any injury, death or other damages to an individual arising from or otherwise connected in any way to such scuba diving activities. With a view to achieving this, if you wish to become a Member of JSDC (or be a Guest Diver of the Club) you shall, in consideration for being admitted as a Member of the Club (or in the case of a Guest, being permitted to dive with the Club or otherwise participate in diving excursions or other Club activities) sign a Liability Release, Waiver of Claims, Express Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement. This is a legally binding contract whereby you voluntarily contract to give up certain legal rights including the right to sue the Club, its members etc. in the event that you suffer any personal injury, death or damages in connection with these activities whether arising from negligence or otherwise. It is important therefore that you read and fully understand the implications of signing this contract. Please feel free to ask any questions concerning this document to the Secretary or any other Executive Committee Member.

MEDICAL CERTIFICATION

It is the responsibility of each individual (whether as a Member or as a Guest) to ensure that he or she is fit, healthy and capable to participate in scuba diving (particularly given the inherent risks of and the physical & mental challenges associated with the sport). If you wish to dive with the Club (whether as a Member or as a Guest), you shall be required to complete a self-declared Medical Statement. If you answer YES to any of the questions in the medical questionnaire, then you shall be required to consult a physician before participating in scuba diving in the Club and complete a Medical Examination before being permitted to dive . If this is required, the Medical Statement contains Guidelines for Recreational Scuba Diver’s Physical Examination which can be referred to by both you and your physician.

DIVER LIABILITY INSURANCE
	In order to participate in Club diving activities, you shall be required to have sufficient diver liability insurance coverage. The Club provides this insurance coverage where required as part of your membership subscription.

DIVE - MEDICAL INSURANCE

As scuba diving is an inherently risky sport, it is usually listed among excluded activities in regular life assurance or health insurance policies etc. i.e. regular insurance policies will not normally cover you for any physical injury, death or damages arising from participating in the sport of scuba diving. While the Club promotes safe diving practices among its members, this is no guarantee that a diving incident (whether minor or life-threatening) will not occur. In the event that such a diving incident occurs, you may need urgent assistance and medical treatment which may include rescue services, emergency medical treatment, evacuation and transport to a hospital or clinic, hospital treatment, use of a re-compression chamber etc. Given the potential cost TO YOU of this assistance/treatment in the event of a diving incident, the Club strongly recommends that you secure appropriate dive medical insurance to provide you with sufficient coverage in the event that you are involved in a diving incident. If you do not currently have any dive insurance, the Club Secretary shall be happy to provide you with information on some of the options available and assist you in securing appropriate insurance coverage.

TRAINING & CONTINUING EDUCATION

The Club does not provide formal training courses leading to an internationally recognised diving qualification. If you are interested in either learning to scuba dive (or wish to upgrade your current qualification), the Club has negotiated discounts for its Members with a number of PADI diving facilities around the Island. The Club does however promote continuing education and safety among its members and the Continuing Education Officer of the Club is responsible for periodically organising programmes dealing with general diver education and safety. This typically takes the format of informal talks/presentations given on Club Nights by Club members (and guest speakers) on a wide range of topics of interest. It is part of the Club’s philosophy that enjoyable and safe diving is achieved through ongoing diver education and awareness.

CLUB EQUIPMENT & AIR FILLS
	The Club rents Club Equipment to Members and (at the discretion of the Diving Officer) to Guests of the Club subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Club’s Diving Rules & Guidelines.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS & CLUB ADMINISTRATION

An Executive Committee is elected each year whereby Members volunteer to undertake various roles necessary to properly run the Club. The Committee operates in accordance with the Club’s Constitution as may be determined by Members of JSDC from time to time. Each Committee is elected to serve for the calendar year. Elections take place in February to determine the incoming Committee for the forthcoming year. The Committee comprises of the following persons: Chairperson, Diving Officer (Member-at-Large), Treasurer (Member-at-Large), Secretary (Member-at-Large). In addition, the Club requests Members to volunteer for various positions including: Continuing Education Officer, Equipment Officer, Bar & Clubhouse Manager, Website Manager, Club Promotions & Entertainment Co-ordinator.

CLUB DIVE RULES & GUIDELINES

As scuba diving is an inherently risky sport, the Club operates on the premise that any individual participating in scuba diving activities with club members etc. shall be solely responsible for his or her own safety, comfort and well-being. The Club has established detailed Dive Rules and Guideline for the benefit and safety of Members. All persons (whether Members or Guest Divers) shall agree to abide by these Rules and Guidelines. All scuba diving at the Club is undertaken at the discretion of the Club’s Diving Officer. A checkout dive may be required prior to joining the Club and at any point thereafter.