SAA Qualifications
SAA clubs teach new members themselves. The SAA lays down a set of guidelines and standards, which the clubs follow in training and certifying their members. Many people who join us from other organisations may have varying styles of tuition but as long as their training is in line with our standards their programme will be accepted by the SAA.
All diving qualifications are at the discretion of the Diving Officer. This means that the Diving Officer has a lot of flexibility when crossing over divers who have received training with other organisations. The Diving Officer may take into account training, experience and ability. Any individual crossing over may be sure of a positive reception and will be provided with all the support they require to make the transition. An additional benefit of joining the SAA, is that the SAA is soon to be approved as a member of CMAS and as such will provide you with additional recognition anywhere in the world.
Should an independent club wish to affiliate themselves to the SAA, the process is very simple. The SAA require that the Diving Officer is a minimum of Dive Supervisor standard/qualification. Once this has been achieved, it is then the responsibility of the Diving Officer, to cross-over the other members of the club to SAA qualifications. This does not mean that the Diving Officer will be left unaided, as your particular region will have in its resources, the Regional Representative, Regional Instructors and other Instructors who will be able to assist you with any training requirements you may have.
As an organisation, the SAA is a particularly close knit community. As a club and as an individual, the contact you will have with other clubs and divers within your region is significant. The SAA's friendly structure positively encourages this, and ensures you that you get the most out of your sport.
For details of membership costs and benefits, please see the Subscription page. Any other enquiries you may have may be directed either to Irene Sartorius, the SAA office administrator, or to one of your local clubs. Failing that then e-mail the webmaster, who will help put you in touch with the right person. Irene can be telephoned on 0151 287 1001.
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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 20m whilst under Instruction for OWD.
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 35m whilst under Instruction for Club Diver.
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 50m.
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.
Dive Master (DM)
A Dive Master is a diver who has through nationally organised assessments proven to have a higher level of knowledge and ability. A Dive Master is able to organise a group of divers to achieve major tasks and projects underwater.
Instructor Qualification Grades
Assistant Instructor (AI)
An Assistant instructor may take club trainees through pool training and lectures on theory or skills up to their own diver grade under the guidance of a Club Instructor or higher. They may not assist in open water instruction.
Club Instructor (CI)
A club Instructor may take club trainees through pool training and teach theory or skills up to their own diver grade.
May assist in Open Water Training under the guidance of an Open Water Instructor.
Open Water Instructor (OWI)
An Open water instructor may take trainees for their open water training dives. Only OWI and above can Train a diver in open water. May work on skills courses (Oxygen Admin, Diver First Aid, Diver Rescue, Assistant Instructor etc.) under the guidance of a Regional Instructor or higher provided they already hold that certification.
Regional Instructor (RI)
May act as Course Organiser for skills courses, provided they are certified and current Instructors for that course.
National Instructor (NI)
National instructor is the highest level of instructor within the SAA. A National Instructor will usually be actively involved in shaping and implementing the development of training within the SAA and the award of this grade is usually based on project work undertaken at the request of the NDO.
Skills Discipline Instructor
Can act as an Instructor on Skills Courses. The following skills discipline Instructor ratings are available.
- SAA Boat Handling Instructor (BHI)
- Oxygen Administrator Instructor (OAI)
- Diver First Aid Instructor (DFAI)
- Diver Rescue Instructor (DRI)
- Nitrox Instructor (EANI)
- Extended Range Instructor (ERDI)
SAA Boat Handling Instructor (BHI)
To provide highly skilled instructors who will have a wide range of boating and navigation skills, so as to be able to organise and run any or all of the SAA Boat Handling Courses.
SAA Cross Over Guide
Guidance Chart for Equivalent Qualifications
| SAA | BSAC | PADI | NAUI | CMAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Diver | Novice Diver | Basic SCUBA | SCUBA Diver | --------- |
| Open Water Diver | Ocean Diver | Open Water Diver | Adv. SCUBA Diver | 1 Star |
| Club Diver* | Sports Diver* | Adv. Open Water Diver ** | Sport Diver | 2 Star |
| Dive Leader | Dive Leader | Dive Master | Dive Master | 2 Star |
| Dive Supervisor | Advanced Diver | ------- | Dive master *** | 3 Star |
| Dive Master | 1st Class Diver | --------- | --------- | 4 Star |
* equates to CMAS 1* Until 10 additional dives have been completed.
** equates to CMAS 1*
*** initially Dive Leader until deep lift section of Diver Rescue attained
