The SAA lays down guidelines & standards which
a club follows in training & certifying their members, Its up to
the club's 'Dive Officer' to ensure these standards are met.
The Diving Officer has a lot of
flexibility when crossing over divers who have received training
with other organisations. 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.
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 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.
To see how SAA qualifications compare to those offer by other
training providers follow this link - 'Dive
qualification comparison chart'
Click here to see - 'SAA
Instructor grades'
