Professional Documents
Culture Documents
BSAC
PADI
NAUI
SAA
SSI
Diving Qualifications
1 Star
1 Star
2 Star
2 Star
3 Star
20 m
20 m
40 m
40 m
56 m
Ocean Diver
Ocean Diver
Sports Diver
Dive Leader
Advanced
1st
20 m
20 m
30 m
50 m
Diver
Class
50 m
Diver
Open Water
Advanced
Divemaster
Divemaster
Diver
18 m (12 m if
Open Water
Diver
Rescue Diver
35 m (40 m
with Deep
35 m (40 m
with Deep
under 12)
30 m
Diver)
Diver)
Scuba Diver
Advanced
18 m
Scuba Diver
Scuba Diver
Open Water
Open Water
Club Diver
Diver
Diver
35 m
20 m
20 m
Open Water
Advanced
Dive Control
Diver
Adventurer
Specialist
18 m
Diver
Open Water
Advanced
Rescue Diver
Diver
Open Water
Divemaster1
Dive Leader
Advanced
Adventurer
30m
NASDS
Diver
Dive
Dive
Supervisor
4 Star
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SDI
Open Water
Advanced
Diver
Diver
http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/training/qualifications.html
20 m
Sports Diver
30 m
SSAC
(ScotSAC)
Master Diver
40 m
Second Class
Diver / Master
Diver 1
Royal
Ships Diver
Navy
2** Star Diver Advanced Nitrox Diver
ITDA
ITDA Rescue
Extended
Diver
Range Nitrox
Diver (Ntech)
ANDI
Open Water
Rescue Diver
Divemaster
Diver
All GUE
GUE
qualifications
IANTD
Open Water
Diver
Essentials
Diver
Advanced
Rescue Diver
Advanced
21 m
DMT NASE Open Water
UK
Diver
Open Water
20 m
Diver
Divemaster
Rescue Diver
30 m
PSAI
Open Water
Advanced
Advanced
Divemaster
Sport Diver
Open Water
Deep Air
40 m
18 m
Diver
Level 1
27 m with 5
27 m3
specialities2
TDI
LA Co UW
Basic
Certification
PDIC
Open Water
Advanced
Extended
Nitrox
Range
Intermediate Certification
Advanced
Certification
Intermediate Certification
Advanced
Advanced
Open Water
Diver
IADS
1 Star Open
2 Star
Water Diver
Advanced
20 m
Diver
Certification
32 m
IDD
Open Water
Diver
Advanced
Open Water
20 m
Diver
32 m
HSE
Notes
25/08/2015 12:04
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http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/training/qualifications.html
As a rough guide, if you have a qualification from one agency you will be allowed to enroll in the equivalent
next course up from another agency - assuming you have the relevant diving experience. See the
references below for more information about individual agencies.
Instructor Grades
Dive
Agency
Instructor Qualifications
CMAS
1 Star Instructor
2 Star Instructor
3 Star Instructor
4 Star
BSAC
Club Instructor
Advanced Instructor
National
Instructor
Instructor (OWSI)
Trainer (MSDT)
Staff Instructor
NAUI
Scuba Instructor
Instructor Trainer
Course Director
SAA
Club Instructor
Regional Instructor
SSI
SSAC
Branch Instructor
PADI
Regional Instructor
Club Examiner
(ScotSAC)
UICC (underwater instructors
certification course)
LA Co UW
ITDA
Resort Instructor
IADS
Notes
The above tables are by no means exhaustive: there are
other training agencies and qualifications. If you plan to
cross-over training, you may be asked to start a level down
from your equivalent qualification. Ask your new agency for
advice.
ANDI
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Global Underwater Explorers. Non-profit organisation dedicated to the training of divers as well as the
study and protection of the aquatic realm.
IDD
Instructor Dive Development. Established in 1992 in Europe with its Head-Office in Amsterdam, The
Netherlands. IDD wanted an education which could be used not only in tropical waters or cold
European waters, but truly could be used effectively all over the world.
IADS
International Association of Diving Schools.
IANTD
International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers. UK organisation offering training courses
from Open Water Diver through to Expedition Trimix.
ITDA
International Technical Diving Agency.
LA Co UW
LA County Scuba Underwater Programs. First American training agency: established 1954.
Military Divers
PADI recognises military diver qualifications as a pre-requisite to many of its courses, but doesn't offer
a straightforward crossover. So you could, for example, take a rescue divers course without having
previously done a PADI advance open water course.
NASDS
National Association of Scuba Diving Schools: now merged with SSI.
NASE
National Association of Scuba Educators. American-based. Draws its extensive experience from the
fields of commercial, recreational, technical and cave diver training. No association with DMT NASE
UK LTD.
NASE Europe
National Association of Scuba Educators Europe. No association with DMT NASE UK LTD.
NAUI
National Association of Underwater Instructors. Worldwide organisation headquartered in America.
PADI
Professional Association of Diving Instructors. Worldwide organisation headquartered in America.
PDIC
Professional Diving Instructors Corporation. Founded in the USA in the 1960s.
PSAI
Professional SCUBA Association International. The oldest technical / extended range scuba
certification agency.
2Narcosis Management Level I or Deep Diver speciality inclusion extends depth limit of Advanced
Open Water Diver to 30m.
3Narcosis Management Level II speciality inclusion extends depth limit of R.A.P.I.D. Master Diver to 40
m.
RAID
Rebreather Association of International Divers. Rebreather and open circuit training. Use an
e-learning programme. RAID training standards are compliant with ISO Recreational Diving Standards
and is accepted by The UK Health and Safety Executive as an approved provider. They also offer
Nationally Accredited training in Australia.
SAA
Sub-Aqua Association. British organisation.
SDI
Scuba Diving International. Created in 1999 and grew out of sister company TDI, which specialises in
the more advanced disciplines of technical dive training. Agencies that are accepted to meet the
prerequisites for SDI include: IDEA, PADI, PDIC, SSI, YMCA, NAUI, BSAC, Sub Aqua Association,
European Standard, CMAS and IANTD
SSAC or ScotSAC
Scottish Sub-Aqua Club. Founded in 1953. Like the BSAC it is a club-based organisation offering
thorough training for Scottish conditions.
SSI
Scuba Schools International. In the Spring of 1999, SSI merged with the National Association of
Scuba Diving Schools.
TDI
25/08/2015 12:04
Technical Diving International. Agencies that are accepted to meet the prerequisites for TDI include:
IANTD, ANDI, DSATI, SSI, NAUI, NACD, NSS-CDS, CMAS, BSAC and CDAA.
Sources: BSAC T.17, HSE, SDI TDI ERDI, CMAS International Diver Training Standards and Procedures Manual, e-mail from
PSAI Europe, e-mail from DMT NASE UK Ltd / DMT Training Group, CMAS-PADI agreement, BSAC Information for Divers
Crossing Over from PADI, SSI, SSAC & SAA.
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Sort by
5 Comments
Add a comment...
Ryan McLean
BSAC Sports Diver is actually 35meters after post qualifaction progression dives
Like Reply
Jill Studholme
Thanks Ryan, we'll update the site
Like Reply 30 July 2015 01:33
Jill Studholme
Which country and which dive shop?
Like Reply 17 June 2015 03:18
Jill Studholme
Depends where you are wanting to work. If abroad then PADI is by far the most common
company and you will probably find it easier to get a job with PADI qualifications.
Like Reply 25 May 2015 02:13
When applying for the Royal Navy do they have any preference as to which qualification would be best?
Jack Thompson , 16 July 2015
(5*)
Hi Jack
The Navy run their own training programme - you don't need to already be able to dive.
SCUBA Travel
Will the bsac ocean diver qualify you to do padi advanced open water diver with out having to do padi
open water course?
Ben Halford , 29 June 2015
(5*)
25/08/2015 12:04
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Hi Ben
Yes, you will be able to enroll in the PADI advanced course.
Jill Studholme, SCUBA Travel
Greetings from Greece. All these are very helpful and completely understanding but my finally question is
specific. Which certification is "better" for dive master, padi or andi?
Dionisis Dionisis, 28 June 2015
(5*)
Hi Dionisis
Unless you want to specialise in technical diving PADI is a better option to choose.
Jill Studholme, SCUBA Travel
I have my NASDS open water certification and am going to take an advance PADI course. Is there any
reason they will not acknowledge my NASDS OW certification?
Emilio Luna, 25 June 2015
(5*)
Hi Emilio
There is no reason why they shouldn't, but check with the company you are planning to train with to make
sure.
Jill Studholme, SCUBA Travel
Since when has a PADI Divemaster been qualified to 35m? If they hold the PADI Deep spec it is 40m,
otherwise 35m
Pee Stewart , 24 June 2015
(4*)
Hi Pee
We'll amend the table to include the Deep Diver course.
Jill Studholme, SCUBA Travel
Voil, je suis instructeur OWSI PADI et je certifie mes lves en leur fournissant des certification PADI, je
rencontre parfois certaines requtes manant de certains de mes lves qui dsire obtenir l'quivalence
CMAS et bien entendu aussi le PADI et je cherche actuellement comment rendre cela possible.
En bref, je voudrai leur obtenir l'quivalence de leur certification PADI en un autre brevet CMAS, combien
cela me couterait il et comment y procder?
(Which translates as "Well, I'm OWSI PADI Instructor and certify my students by providing PADI
certification, I sometimes meet some requests from some of my students wishing to obtain the CMAS
equivalence and also the PADI course and I'm currently looking how to make it possible.
In short , I want them to get the equivalence of their PADI certification in another patent CMAS , how much
it cost me and how to get them?")
Fatnassi Adil , 23 June 2015
(5*)
Hi Adil
You can't get an equivalent CMAS card for a PADI qualification. Your students would have to do an extra
course with CMAS. Which level they could go in at is defined in the CMAS - PADI agreement. Other
agencies though, like BSAC, do issue CMAS cards.
Jill Studholme, SCUBA Travel
1) Different between dive tech. and dive master
2) Which among them is the best to know or study
Menekpughi Muele Lord , 18 June 2015
(5*)
Not sure what you mean by dive tech. Which to study depends somewhat on where you will be diving.
25/08/2015 12:04
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With a program like BSAC you get a more thorough grounding than with a PADI Open Water course, but it
takes longer. Find out what is available in your area, contact the dive shops and make your choice.
SCUBA Travel
I have many years of diving experience with HSE part 1 11, Military advanced diver from Royal Engineers,
I have dived and worked all over the world and yet to convert to PADI. It seems all this experience and
qualification has no transferable meaning.
Mark Fender , 25 May 2015
(5*)
Hello Mark
Many dive shops do recognise HSE. BSAC clubs, for example, recognise HSE part 1 as equivalent to
BSAC Sports Diver. If you joined BSAC you could apply for an 'Equivalency Card' from BSAC HQ. This
would be recognised by PADI dive centres even if your HSE qualification wasn't. (Although PADI shops
should recognise your HSE qualification as equivalent to Rescue Diver.)
Jill Studholme, SCUBA Travel
I hold a UK HSE Part one from 1988 and an IMCA air diving supervisors qualification from 1993. How best
would I prepare papers for holiday diving
David , 11 May 2015
(5*)
Hi David
The best thing to do is to contact dive centres in the area in which you are planning to dive and ask what
they need. Your recent diving experience is often more important than which diving agency you qualified
with.
Jill Studholme, SCUBA Travel
In your table you forgot the level NAUI Instructor Trainer and NAUI Course Director
Hans , 29 April 2015
(2*)
Thanks for pointing that out Nicole. We'll add them to the table.
Jill Studholme, SCUBA Travel
Regarding diving outside the UK with a hse scuba, this was absolutely no problem for my friend on a
recent diving trip to Thailand. Recognised at shops both in Koh Tao and Koh Phi Phi.
Jon Barnes , 3 March 2015
(5*)
Hi
Is this cross-over list officially world wide recognised?
Robert , 16 January 2015
(5*)
Hi Robert, No, there isn't an official world-wide crossover list. Ours is compiled from publications from:
BSAC T.17, HSE, SDI TDI ERDI, CMAS International Diver Training Standards and Procedures Manual
and direct communication with PSAI Europe and DMT NASE UK Ltd / DMT Training Group. Jill
Studholme, SCUBA Travel
I am a IANTD advanced nitrox diver so what am I in the flow chart thank you
25/08/2015 12:04
http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/training/qualifications.html
Hi John, You'd have to contact the alternative agency to be sure, but around BSAC Dive Leader with a
nitrox speciality.
SCUBA Travel
I was wondering, do you know if with my CMAS 2* licence I can take the Dive Master course?
Alex , 16 September 2014
(5*)
Yes, you are at the right level to take the PADI or NAUI Divemaster course.
Jill Studholme, SCUBA Travel
Hi I'm a BSAC Openwater instructor and I would like to know what are the procedures if I want do become
a PADI Instructor!
Shyam Dhunnookchand , 16 September 2014
(5*)
Hi Shyam, you can't just transfert to PADI - you always have to do one of their courses. In your case a
PADI Instructor Development Course would be appropriate.
SCUBA Travel
Thank you for your follow-up regarding the listing.
NASE are not operating within the United Kingdom. The programmes listed by HSE and ACCREDITED by
HSE are copyright of DMT NASE UK LTD.
NASE Europe is a separate entity and DO NOT have any rights to teach or certify persons in the
designated programmes. We have in the past had working arrangements with NASE Europe, but these
have since lapsed.
NASE in the USA is a separate entity and we NO working relationship with them.
The DMT Training Group researched, developed and implemented the programmes in the UK and Canada
and were the first Agency Accredited by HSE under the updated DWR 1997 Regulations in 2000 and were
accredited by HSE in January 2001.
Since that time DMT NASE UK has been accredited annually, with new programmes being submitted on a
regular basis.
If you review the HSE web site, you will see that only DMT NASE is listed as APPROVED, not the other
NASE entities.
I would be pleased to provide you with a complete list of the programmes recognised by HSE that DMT
NASE offer.
Kindest regards,
Capt Ed Dymott
Director Administration for Director Training
DMT NASE UK Ltd / DMT Training Group , 3 August 2014
Thanks very much for that
SCUBA Travel
Is there a special certificate for a handicapped / disabled diver?
Dewi , 24 April 2014
(5*)
As far as I'm aware there isn't a special certificate for disabled divers, but we'll ask on our social media
pages and in our next newsletter to see if our readers know of any. You might be interested in an article by
Dave Thompson on learning to dive as a tetraplegic which we published in issue 122 of SCUBA News.
Dave qualified as a PADI Open Water Scuba Diver.
Jill Studholme, SCUBA Travel
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Hi
I'm a qualified to HSE scuba and Police Surface supplied as I am a Police diver. I am due to go on my
Honeymoon and wish to take part in recreational diving. My partner is going to do a PADI course. I was
wondering how well recognised my qualification is. Would it be recognised abroad easily. What would it
equate to as a PADI qualification and how easy would it be for me to get PADI qualifications with the
qualifications I already have. Thanks
Trish Foster , 10 April 2014
(4*)
HSE Scuba equates to BSAC Sports Diver or PADI Rescue Diver. You need to contact the dive centre you
will be using to confirm that they will understand your qualification. There should be no problem converting
to a PADI qualification - but you will have to do one of their courses. Anyone else had experience of using
an HSE qualification outside Britain?
SCUBA Travel
I have a PDIC certification. Have you ever heard of this?
Mary , 2 April 2014
(5*)
I have heard of it and see it is not in our table - I'll add it.
Jill Studholme, SCUBA Travel
I'm a naui master scuba diver can i crossover to padi.what level will i be.
Harry Wilson , 17 March 2014
(5*)
A NAUI Master SCUBA Diver is equivalent to a PADI Rescue Diver. So you would be qualifed to take the
PADI Divemaster course.
Jill Studholme, SCUBA Travel
Certified with US Navy Diver Certification - extensive military certification. Since I dive mostly in warm salt
water, how do I convert to PADI without going through the entire PADI certification process?
Dave G, 26 February 2014
(5*)
You don't need to do the entire process but will need to do one course, for example the rescue diver. PADI
will accept your qualifications as a pre-requisite for the course, but will still insist you take it before giving
you a PADI certification card.
Jill Studholme, SCUBA Travel
Where is PSAI Advanced Oper Water Diver?
Greg, 27 January 2014
(5*)
I'm not sure about where exactly to place PSAI Advanced Open Water Diver - looking at what's involved I
should think CMAS 2 star. I'll contact the PSAI though, and see what they say.
Jill Studholme, SCUBA Travel
It appears that Naui Master diver and SSI Master diver are in the incorrect order. I believe neither of these
are professional qualifications.
Naui master diver may be accepted as PADI rescue if the rescue components are taught in that course.
SSI dive controler and PADI Dive master are equivelant. Can you confirm please?
12 November 2013
(5*)
Thanks for pointing that out. We've moved them to a more appropriate position.
SCUBA Travel Webmaster
25/08/2015 12:04
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The listings for SSI don't include the instructor levels and the recreation diver levels are little off. After OW
is specialty diver 12 dives and 2 specialties, then AOW diver 24 dives and 4 specialties, then Master Diver
AOW plus Stress Rescue Diver and 50 dives. The pro levels can be found on divessi.com to add to your
table.
Beth, 9 August 2013
(5*)
Two BSAC grades are missing: Ist Class Diver (4 star) and National instructor (4 star).
Edward Haynes, 20 July 2013
(5*)
Thanks for the getting in touch - we've inserted 2 new columns for the 4 star grades.
SCUBA Travel Webmaster
Does not include the world's first Instruction program--LA Co UW Instruction program; Basic Diver,
Advanced diver (100 + Hours,) Instructor UICC, 200 hours.
SDM, 16 July 2013
(3*)
Thanks for letting us know Steve - we've now updated the page.
SCUBA Travel Webmaster
25/08/2015 12:04
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system this generic diving manual will also be useful to divers following other training systems.
NOAA Diving Manual: Diving for Science and Technology, Fourth Edition
James T. Joiner, Best Pub Co, Hardback, 660 pages, (2002).
One of the most detailed diving reference books available and is a valuable resource for all who are
interested in a complete encyclopedia of diving technology, equipment, techniques and procedures.
Scuba Professional: Insights Into Sport Diver Training and Operations
Simon Pridmore, 304 pages, 1 edition (July 17, 2015).
New book looks at how diving is taught and gives independent, objective advice for instructors and
dive operators. It includes a chapter on "Which Training Agency?", which is a question we are often
asked.
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