Historical Diving Society

The Historical Diving Society (HDS) was formed in 1990 in the United Kingdom, with the aim of preserving and protecting diving heritage. The society has since grown into an international organisation with affiliated national societies across the world. Active societies in North America, Europe and Australia collaborate and work together with the HDS towards common goals.
Activities
The society publishes a printed quarterly magazine/newsletter, the Historical Diving Times and the International Journal of Diving History for its members. These publications are also available for non-members to purchase.
The society holds meetings, visits, and lectures, and has two active "working equipment groups", founded by Jim Boyd and David Sutton, which seek to preserve and catalogue classic equipment in usable form, often demonstrating at rallies and exhibitions.
Each year the society holds an annual conference and dinner, which include presentations from diving pioneers and researchers and the presentation of awards.
The HDS maintains a database of historical divers called the 'Divers Index', which answers enquiries about diving ancestors or former colleagues who worked in underwater or allied occupations.
Members include individuals and organisations across the spectrum of diving interests, including archivists, archaeologists, authors, artists, bibliophiles, collectors, dealers, engineers, genealogists, manufacturers, museums, oceanologists, photographers, researchers, and scientists, as well as divers and ex-divers.
As a charitable organization, the society relies on memberships and donations to continue its work.
In 2011 the HDS opened the Historical Diving Society Museum at No. 2 Battery, Stokes Bay, Hampshire, England.

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