McDonald become hooked on sport diving in the early 1950s. He was an early member of BSAC (number 23) and played a key role in organising the second World Congress of Underwater Activities in London in 1963.

McDonald was influential in publicising diving through press, television and radio. He wrote and presented Britain’s first TV series about diving and was one of the first journalists to dive on the wreck of the Mary Rose in Hampshire’s Solent.

McDonald served as BSAC Chairman from 1975 to 1977 and then as honorary life vice-president of the British Sub Aqua Club. He was a regular contributor to BSAC publications, (including Neptune Magazine) and continued writing for DIVER Magazine (UK) up until 2011.

McDonald was awarded the Colin McLeod Award in 2009 for his contributions to diving publications. In the same year, he was elected to the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame.