Equivalent Diving Qualifications from Different Bodies

There are many different bodies around the world which award diving qualifications. This table gives a rough guide to equivalent qualifications. It is only a guide though: the qualifications are not exactly equivalent. Please contact your chosen diving agency for their definitive crossover requirements.

Notes

The above table is 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.

BSAC

British Sub-Aqua Club. The BSAC is the governing body for the sport of scuba diving in the UK. It is a club-based organisation that offers training for members through a branch, or intensive courses through a BSAC school.

PADI

Professional Association of Diving Instructors. Worldwide organisation headquartered in America.

CMAS

Confédération Mondiale des Activites Subaquatiques (World Underwater Federation of Underwater Activities). Established 1959.

NAUI

National Association of Underwater Instructors. American based.

SAA

Sub-Aqua Association. British organisation.

SSI

Scuba Schools International. In the Spring of 1999, SSI merged with the National Association of Scuba Diving Schools.

NASDS

National Association of Scuba Diving Schools: now merged with SSI.

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.

SSAC

Scottish Sub-Aqua Club. Founded in 1953. Like the BSAC it is a club-based organisation offering thorough training for Scottish conditions.

ITDA

International Technical Diving Agency.

Recommended Books for Beginners

Sport Diving

The Diving Manual of the British Sub-Aqua Club, Ebury Press, Paperback, 256 pages, (November 1998).
Excellent for beginners.
Available from Amazon.co.uk

The Diving Manual

Circle Books, Paperback, 164 pages, (2002).
Another one from the British Sub-Aqua Club. Aimed at those interested in taking up diving, and written with the forthcoming European Diver Training Standards in mind, besides supporting divers following the BSAC system this generic diving manual will also be useful to divers following other training systems.
Available with 30% off from Amazon.co.uk

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.
More details at Amazon.com
Available from Amazon.co.uk (but cheaper from Amazon.com)

Scuba Diving

Dennis Graver, Human Kinetics, Paperback, 212 pages, (1999).
We haven't read this one, but it has very good reviews. The author was director of training for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), designed the PADI modular scuba course and wrote the PADI Dive Manual. During his tenure as director of education for the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), Graver wrote the NAUI Openwater I Scuba Diver Course Instructor Guide.
More details, and 20% off, at Amazon.co.uk