It was the first nationally organised underwater diving instruction program offered in the United States of America.

In 1954, YMCA of the US and other interested parties under the auspices of the Council for National Cooperation in Aquatics commenced a study to look at the safety aspects of underwater diving.

Findings of the study were outlined with the view of creating a course of training sufficient to produce ‘capable performance in those who elect to participate in… recreational (diving) activity’.

[1][2][3][4] In July 2008, YMCA of the USA announced that the scuba program would cease on December 31, 2008 and that it would continue to replace lost certificate cards for training conducted from 1984 to 2008.

[8][9] At the time of closure, YMCA SCUBA's qualification system was structured as follows.