This is where qualifications from other agencies sit alongside BSAC diver grades. It's for orientation — you don't need a BSAC grade to dive with a BSAC club.
Use this to understand roughly where your training sits in BSAC terms. It's useful when you're talking to a club about the diving you'd like to do, and it shows what you'd need if you decide to progress your training later.
Don't see your qualification? Email us or call 0151 350 6203, or ask your local club. BSAC recognises qualifications from a wide range of training agencies, and the list here isn't exhaustive.
Divers are able to dive within the limits of their existing other agency qualifications. Whilst diver grade skill set is recognised, not all equivalent grades will meet the same autonomous depth qualifications.
BSAC equivalent scuba qualifications chart
Level |
Other agency diver qualifications |
BSAC equivalent |
Entry level |
|
Ocean Diver |
| The above qualifications are recognised as the equivalent to Ocean Diver and anyone with these qualifications does not have to retrain as a BSAC Ocean Diver. |
||
Second level |
|
Sports Diver |
| The above qualifications are recognised as the equivalent to Sports Diver. Anyone with these qualifications does not have to retrain as a BSAC Sports Diver, they progress their training with BSAC Dive Leader. |
||
Third level(must also hold an Oxygen Administration qualification) |
|
Dive Leader |
| The above qualifications are recognised as the equivalent to Dive Leader but MUST include evidence of an oxygen Administration qualification. Anyone with these qualifications does not have to retrain as a BSAC Dive Leader, they progress their training with BSAC Advanced Diver. |
||
Higher level(must also hold an Oxygen Administration qualification) |
|
Advanced Diver |
Further information on equivalent qualifications:
- Click to download the BSAC equivalent diver grade qualifications chart
- Click to download the speciality courses equivalency chart (such as RYA boat courses and PADI Speciality courses)
- For Closed Circuit Rebreather (CCR) diver grades - please email us
So what does this mean for you?
Wherever you are on the chart, the answer is much the same — you can dive with a BSAC club on the qualification you already hold. Clubs come in all shapes and sizes. Feel free to visit a few and see which one feels right.
