SAA Qualifications

Diving Qualification Grades 

Elementary Diver Trainee (EDT)
An EDT must complete all pool and relevant classroom training, as set out in the SAA Qualification Record Book and Guidance Manual, to the satisfaction of the Club Diving Officer before being taken on their first open water dive. A trainee must dive with an Open Water Instructor or above and must not dive at a depth greater than 10m.

Elementary Diver (ED)
An Elementary Diver is fully pool trained but inexperienced in open water. When diving in open water an Elementary Diver must be accompanied by at least a Dive Leader or higher. If the Elementary Diver is receiving any training or examination during the dive, it must be under the guidance of at least an Open Water Instructor. An Elementary Diver may dive to a maximum depth of 10m*.

Open Water Diver (OWD)
An Open Water Diver has additional practical experience. The Open Water Diver must be accompanied by a minimum of a Dive Leader or higher. If the OWD is receiving any training or examination during the dive, it must be under the guidance of at least an Open Water Instructor. An Open Water Diver may dive to a maximum depth of 20m*.

Club Diver (CD)
A Club Diver is qualified to dive in open water and may dive with other certified to Club Diver or higher.
A Club Diver is not considered to have sufficient experience to dive with divers of Elementary or Open Water standards in open water. If the Club Diver is receiving any training or examination during the dive, it must be under the guidance of at least an Open Water Instructor. A Club Diver may dive to a maximum depth of 35m*.

Dive Leader (DL)
A Dive Leader has additional practical experience and knowledge, and has proven their ability to lead divers underwater. A Dive Leader may dive with any grade of certified diver. A Dive Leader is not an Instructor and may not instruct in open water unless qualified as an Open Water Instructor or above.

Dive Supervisor (DS)
A Dive Supervisor is an experienced and responsible diver, with a proven ability to organise and lead diving expeditions. A Dive Supervisor is not an Instructor and may not instruct in open water unless qualified as an Open Water Instructor or above.

National Diver (ND)
A National Diver is a diver who has through nationally organised assessments proven to have a higher level of knowledge and ability. A National Diver is able to organise a group of divers to achieve major tasks and projects underwater.

*Depths beyond these are allowed in certain circumstances - see Club Guidance Manual Section 4.1