Equivalent BSAC qualifications

BSAC recognises qualifications from other agencies so it’s easy to continue diving or progress your scuba training with BSAC.

The diving qualifications listed below are considered to be of a similar standard to those of BSAC. However, the list is not definitive – there are many diving qualifications issued by agencies all over the world. If you can’t find yours here please email us or call 0151 350 6203.

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.

Following an assessment by an Open Water Instructor, or higher, credit for existing qualifications may be given towards the next grade. Full details are in the appropriate instructor manual.

BSAC equivalent scuba qualifications chart

Level	Other agency diver qualifications	BSAC equivalent
Entry level	ACUC Open Water Diver / Advanced Open Water Diver ANDI Open Water Diver CMAS One Star Diver DMT NASE UK Open Water Diver / Advanced Open Water Diver ESA Open Water Diver / Advanced Open Water Diver FEDAS Buceador One Estrella FFESSM One Star PA20 GUE Recreational Diver 1 / Recreational Diver 2 HSE Scuba IADS One Star Open Water Diver / Two Star Advanced Open Water Diver IANTD Open Water Diver / Advanced Open Water Diver IDD Open Water Diver / Advanced Open Water Diver IDEA Open Water Diver ITDA Two Star Diver NASDS Open Water Diver / Advanced Open Water Diver NAUI Scuba Diver / Advanced Scuba Diver PADI Open Water Diver / Advanced Open Water Diver PDIC Open Water Diver / Advanced Open Water Diver PSAI Open Water Diver / Advanced Open Water Diver RAID Open Water Diver / Advanced Open Water Diver Royal Navy Ships Diver SAA Open Water Diver SDI Open Water Diver / Advanced Adventurer SSI Open Water Diver / Advanced Open Water Diver	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	ACUC Rescue Diver ANDI Rescue Diver Military Class 2 Diver, Class 1 Diver and MCDO CMAS Two Star Diver DMT NASE UK Rescue Diver FEDAS Buceador Two Estrella GUE Recreational Diver 3 HSE Divers (except Scuba) IANTD Rescue Diver ITDA Rescue Diver NASDS Rescue Diver NAUI Rescue Scuba Diver PADI Rescue Diver RAID Rescue Diver SAA Club Diver SDI Rescue Diver SSAC Sports Diver (Third Class Diver) SSI Advanced Open Water Diver with ‘Stress & Rescue’	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	ACUC Divemaster ANDI Dive Master CMAS Three Star Diver DMT NASE UK Dive Master ESA Dive Leader FEDAS Buceador Three Estrella IANTD Dive Master IDEA Dive Master NASDS Dive Supervisor NAUI Divemaster PADI Divemaster RAID Divemaster SAA Dive Leader SDI Divemaster SSI Dive Control Specialist	Dive Leader
The above qualifications are recognised as the equivalent to Dive Leader. Anyone with these qualifications does not have to retrain as a BSAC Dive Leader, they progress their training with BSAC Advanced Diver.
Higher level	CMAS Four Star Diver FEDAS Buceador Three Estrella SAA Dive Supervisor SSAC Master Diver (Second Class Diver)	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

Give UK diving a try by popping along to your local BSAC club. Find a club online today.

Need help finding your local BSAC club? Send your postcode to training@bsac.com and we'll help you find the right scuba club for you. Or if you fancy a chat call us 0151 350 6226 (Mon - Fri, 9 - 5:30).