Scuba diving agencies play a crucial role in the world of diving. These organizations are responsible for providing training, certification, and guidelines to ensure the safety and enjoyment of divers. They offer various courses and programs catering to divers of all levels, from beginners to advanced divers seeking specialized training.
Diving agencies set standards and best practices for diving education, equipment usage, and dive planning. They also establish guidelines for underwater safety, environmental conservation, and responsible diving practices. By adhering to these standards, divers can enhance their skills, knowledge, and confidence in exploring the underwater world.
It’s important for divers to choose a reputable diving agency that aligns with their goals and values. Each agency may have its own curriculum, teaching methods, and certification levels. Some of the well-known diving agencies include PADI, SSI, NAUI, and CMAS, among others.
Certification agencies
| Name | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|
| ACUC | American Canadian Underwater Certifications, Canada Formed in 1969. | acuc.es |
| ANDI | American Nitrox Divers International, USA Specialise in training programs for technical diving and closed circuit rebreather systems. | andihq.com |
| BSAC | British Sub Aqua Club The BSAC is the governing body for the sport of scuba diving in the UK. It is a club-based organisation that offers training for members through a branch, or intensive courses through a BSAC school. BSAC was established in 1953 by Oscar Gugen. | bsac.com |
| CMAS | Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques World Underwater Federation of Underwater Activities. Established 1959. | cmas.org |
| DIVEIAC | DIVEIAC | diveiac.com |
| DRI | Dive Rescue International | diverescueintl.com |
| FIAS | La Federazione Italiana Attività Subacquee | fias.it |
| FLASSA | Fédération Luxembourgeoise des Activités et Sports Subaquatiques, Luxemburg. | flassa.lu |
| HAS | INTERNATIONAL (Handicapped scuba Assoc), USA. | hsascuba.com |
| IAHD | International Association of Handicapped Divers, Holland | iahd.org |
| IANTD | International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers, Inc. | iantd.com |
| IDDA | International Discovery Diving Association | i-d-d-a.com |
| IDEA | International Diving Educators Association Established 1952 as part of the Florida Skin Divers Association. | idea-scuba.com |
| ISDA | International Scuba Diving Academy, Italy | isdaworld.com |
| MDEA | Multinational Diving Educators Association, USA | mdeainternational.com |
| NACD | National Association for Cave Diving, USA | nacdmembers.org |
| NADD | NADD GLOBAL DIVING AGENCY (NADD) | naddeurope.com |
| NASE | National Academy of Scuba Educators, USA American-based. Draws its extensive experience from the fields of commercial, recreational, technical and cave diver training. | naseworldwide.org |
| NAUI | National Association of Underwater Instructors Worldwide organisation headquartered in America. | naui.org |
| NDF | Norges Dykkeforbund, Norway | ndf.no |
| NDL | National Dive League Russian organisation, member of the European Underwater Federation. | ndl-global.com |
| NOB | Nederlandse Onderwatersport Bond, Holland | onderwatersport.org |
| NSS-CD | National Speleological Society Cave Diving Section, USA | cavediver.org |
| PADI | Professional Association of Diving Instructors Worldwide organisation formed in 1966 and headquartered in America. | padi.com |
| PDIC | Professional Diving Instructors Corporation | scubaeducators.org |
| Pro Tec | Professional Technical Diving International | protecdive.com |
| PSAI | Professional Scuba Association International | psai.com |
| PSS | Professional Scuba Schools Conform to the directives of the European Community (EN Standards) and to ISO standards. | pssworldwide.org |
| PTRD | Professional, Technical and Recreational Diving Follow CMAS and RSTC standards and is ISO Certified by EUF. | ptrd.international |
| RAID | Rebreather Association of International Divers Rebreather and open circuit training. Use an e-learning programme. RAID training standards are compliant with ISO Recreational Diving Standards and is accepted by The UK Health and Safety Executive as an approved provider. They also offer Nationally Accredited training in Australia. | diveraid.com |
| SDI | Scuba Diving International Created in 1999 and grew out of sister company TDI, which specialises in the more advanced disciplines of technical dive training. Agencies that are accepted to meet the prerequisites for SDI include: IDEA, PADI, PDIC, SSI, YMCA, NAUI, BSAC, Sub Aqua Association, European Standard, CMAS and IANTD | tdisdi.com |
| SNSI | Scuba Nitrox Safety International, Italy | scubasnsi.com |
| SSDF | Svenska Sportdy Karförbundet, Sweden | ssdf.se |
| SSI | Scuba Schools International (Worldwide) In the Spring of 1999, SSI merged with the National Association of Scuba Diving Schools. | divessi.com |
| SSI TXR | SSI Technical Extended Range | divessi.com |
| TDI | Technical Diving International Agencies that are accepted to meet the prerequisites for TDI include: IANTD, ANDI, DSATI, SSI, NAUI, NACD, NSS-CDS, CMAS, BSAC and CDAA. | tdisdi.com |
| VDST | Verband Deutscher Sporttaucher E.V, Germany | vdst.de |
| WOSD | World Organisation of Scuba Diving | wosd.com |
Equivalent diving qualifications
There are numerous diving organizations worldwide that grant diving certifications. The table below provides a general overview of equivalent scuba certifications. However, please note that these certifications are not entirely equivalent. For the definitive crossover requirements, please consult your selected diving agency.
The maximum depth guidelines mentioned are based on air dives. With further training, some certifications may allow for greater depths than indicated.
| Dive Agency | Diving Qualifications | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACUC | Open Water | Advanced Open Water | Advanced Open Water with Rescue Diver | Divemaster | ||
| ANDI | Open Water Diver | Rescue Diver | Divemaster | |||
| BSAC | Ocean Diver 20m (BS EN 14153-2, ISO 24801-2) | Sports Diver 20m (35m after progress dives) | Dive Leader 50m (BS EN 14153-3, ISO 24801-3) | Advanced Diver 50m | 1st Class Diver | |
| CMAS | 1 Star 20m | 2 Star 30m or 40m | 3 Star 56m | 4 Star | ||
| IANTD | Open Water Diver 21m | Essentials Diver | Advanced Open Water Diver 30m | Rescue Diver | Divemaster | |
| IDEA | Open Water Diver | Divemaster | ||||
| NASE | Open Water Diver | Advanced Open Water Diver 30m | AOWD + Rescue Diver | Master Diver | ||
| NAUI | Scuba Diver 18m | Advanced Scuba Diver 40m | Scuba Rescue Diver / Master Scuba Diver | Divemaster | ||
| NDL | Diver | Dive Master | ||||
| PADI | Open Water Diver 18m (12m if under 12) | Advanced Open Water Diver 30m | AOWD + Rescue Diver | Master Diver / Divemaster | ||
| PDIC | Open Water | Advanced Open Water Diver | ||||
| PSAI | Open Water Sport Diver 18m | Advanced Open Water Diver 27m with 5 specialities | R.A.P.I.D. Master Diver 27m | Advanced Deep Air Level 1 | Divemaster 40m | |
| PTRD | 1 Star Diver 25m | 2 Star Diver 40m | 3 Star Diver 50m | 4 Star Diver 50m | ||
| RAID | Open Water 20m | Explorer 30m | Rescue Diver | Divemaster | ||
| SDI | Open Water Diver 18m | SDI Advanced Adventure | Advanced + Rescue Diver | Divemaster | ||
| SNSI | Divemaster | |||||
| SSI | Open Water Diver 18m | Advanced Adventurer Diver 30m | Dive Guide EN/ISO 24801-3:2014 | Dive Guide with Science of Diving = Dive Master | ||
Instructor grades
| Dive Agency | Instructor Qualifications | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACUC | Entry Level Instructor, Assistant Instructor | Open Water Instructor with 140 dives | Open Water Instructor with additional courses | ||
| BSAC | Theory Instructor / Practical Instructor | Open Water Instructor | Advanced Instructor | National Instructor | |
| CMAS | 1 Star Instructor | 2 Star Instructor | 3 Star Instructor | 4 Star | |
| NAUI | Scuba Instructor | Instructor Trainer | Course Director | ||
| PADI | Assistant Instructor | Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) | Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) | Instructor Development Course (IDC) / Staff Instructor / Master Instructor | |
| PTRD | 1 Star Assistant Instructor | 1 Star Scuba Instructor | |||
| SDI | Assistant Instructor | Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor | Course Director | Instructor Trainer | |
| SNSI | Open Water Instructor | DM Instructor | |||
| SSI | Assistant Instructor | Open Water Instructor | |||