British Sub-Aqua Club

Tel: +44 (0)151 350 6200 Fax: +44 (0)151 350 6215 bsac.com

DivingInfo Diving Diving Information DIVERS QUALIFIED WITH OTHER AGENCIES T.17 BSAC welcomes all divers

The British Sub-Aqua Club welcomes previous by recognised organisations, whether recreational, commercial or military. Divers can join a BSAC branch and enjoy diving with that branch within the recommendations of their existing qualification and BSAC Safe Diving Practices (whichever is the more conservative). Alternatively divers can join BSAC as a Direct Member without membership of a branch.

OPTION 1 OPTION 2 Qualified divers wishing to join a BSAC Qualified divers wishing to join a BSAC Branch Branch but NOT CONTINUE their training and FURTHERING their training with the BSAC. with the BSAC: New members with other organisation ● joins a Branch and the BSAC. qualifications are encouraged to continue their ● The diver presents evidence of their training and development as a diver within BSAC, alternative diving qualification by training for higher qualification levels and by ● The Branch consults the ‘similarity attending BSAC Skill Development Courses table’ and identifies the alternative (SDCs). The Branch, or BSAC HQ, can tell you diver qualification with the appropriate more about these SDCs. BSAC diver grade. Should a diver, qualified by another diver training ● The diver is then integrated into the organisation, wish to further their diver training Branch and treated as a diver of that with the BSAC, the qualifications they already similar grade. hold are recognised as a starting point for further ● The new member can apply for an training by the issue of a Statement of Alternative optional 'Equivalency Card' from BSAC Training (SALT) page, issued as part of the HQ. training pack they purchase. ● There is no documentation to be issued, ● To obtain furthering diver training with the i.e., Qualification Record Book, training BSAC: material etc. to the new member. ● Join a branch and the BSAC (as already Divers will be expected to attend a brief described). 'Induction to the BSAC' lesson based on ● On request, the Branch will order a 'Crossover parts of BSAC Ocean Diver training Training Pack’ for the next BSAC diver grade. programme – OT1 and OT4, which will ● The 'Crossover Training Pack’ will include the describe how the Branch structure works, Student Notes and a BSAC Qualification outline the aims, beliefs and function of Record Book - with an extra SALT page to BSAC as the national governing body, what record the previous training. BSAC membership offers and provide an overview of the BSAC '88 ● On completion of the course, the diver will be Tables. a BSAC qualified diver at that new grade. The Diving Officer, or Training Officer, may With this process, the NEW member may train for also encourage further theory study and the next higher BSAC qualification. The process skills practice to 'close any gaps' which has to assume that the person has only just might become apparent on review of obtained the certificate they hold. It cannot offer qualifications and practical experience, any credit for variables such as additional diving such as ‘controlled buoyant lift. experience gained since the qualification was achieved, or training undertaken on incomplete courses. This process applies only to diving qualifications and not to qualifications.

T17 - © BSAC 01/09

Telford’s Quay, South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 4FL BSAC OPTION 3 Diver Training Organisation Qualification Qualified BSAC divers undertaking FURTHER TRAINING with other All ‘Entry Level’ qualifications (which typically do organisations: not include rescue training) such as: CMAS One Star Diver If a diver, having crossed over to the BSAC via a previous SALT, wishes to NASDS and Advanced Open continue their training with other Water Diver organisations, this is acceptable. NAUI Scuba Diver and Advanced Scuba Diver Should their training advance their Ocean Diver PADI Open Water Diver skill level, they may reintegrate back into BSAC training via a further SALT. PADI Advanced Open Water Diver/AOWD Plus Once again, they may require Royal Navy Ships Diver additional training and a "crossover" training pack needs to be obtained. SAA Open Water Diver Again the Diving Officer will only award SSI Open Water Diver and Advanced Open similarity to the higher BSAC grade Water Diver when all required additional training is completed. All ‘Second Level’ qualifications (which must include rescue training) such as: CMAS Two Star Diver HSE Commercial Diver: HSE Scuba Diver/HSE Surface Supply Diver/HSE Surface Supply (Top Up) Diver/HSE Closed Bell Diver (formerly HSE Diver Part 4, 3, 1 and 2 respectively) NASDS Sports Diver NAUI Scuba Rescue Diver PADI Rescue Diver SAA Club Diver SSAC Third Class Diver/Sports Diver SSI Advanced Open Water Diver with ‘Stress and Rescue’ Speciality Army Compressed Air Diver

All ‘Third Level’ qualifications (which must include dive leadership training) such as: NASDS Dive Supervisor NAUI PADI Divemaster SAA Dive Leader SSI Dive Control Specialist

Any higher level of qualification, such as: CMAS Three Star Diver SAA Dive Supervisor Nothing in this process removes or alters the Branch Diving Officer’s responsibility SSAC Second Class Diver/ Master Diver for the safety and well-being of Branch Because of the variation allowed in training for the Advanced members. If the Diving Officer feels that higher diving qualifications awarded by US diver Diver the skills of a new member, originally training agencies, BSAC is unable to accept them trained by another organisation, are as being of a similar standard to BSAC Advanced lacking, the DO is at liberty to require the Diver. member to undertake appropriate However, Branch Diving Officers can judge refresher training and/or limit their open additional experience and training on a case-by- water diving activities until a satisfactory case basis. level of skills performance is demonstrated.

T17 - © BSAC 01/09