Diving Agencies

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.

Furthermore, diving agencies often collaborate with dive centers and instructors worldwide to promote diving education and organize diving trips and expeditions. They create a network of certified professionals who can provide quality training and guidance to divers across different locations.

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 (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), SSI (Scuba Schools International), NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors), and CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques), among others.

Whether someone is looking to try scuba diving for the first time or advance their diving skills, joining a recognized diving agency can provide them with the necessary training, certification, and resources to explore the fascinating underwater world safely and responsibly.

NameDescriptionWebsite
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 AgencyDiving Qualifications
ACUCOpen WaterAdvanced Open WaterAdvanced Open Water with Rescue DiverDivemaster
ANDIOpen Water DiverRescue DiverDivemaster
BSACOcean 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 50m1st Class Diver
CMAS1 Star 20m2 Star 30m or 40m3 Star 56m4 Star
IANTDOpen Water Diver 21mEssentials DiverAdvanced Open Water Diver 30mRescue DiverDivemaster
IDEAOpen Water DiverDivemaster
NASEOpen Water DiverAdvanced Open Water Diver 30mAOWD + Rescue DiverMaster Diver
NAUIScuba Diver 18mAdvanced Scuba Diver 40mScuba Rescue Diver / Master Scuba DiverDivemaster
NDLDiverDive Master
PADIOpen Water Diver 18m (12m if under 12)Advanced Open Water Diver 30mAOWD + Rescue DiverMaster Diver / Divemaster
PDICOpen WaterAdvanced Open Water Diver
PSAIOpen Water Sport Diver 18mAdvanced Open Water Diver 27m with 5 specialitiesR.A.P.I.D. Master Diver 27mAdvanced Deep Air Level 1Divemaster 40m
PTRD1 Star Diver 25m2 Star Diver 40m3 Star Diver 50m4 Star Diver 50m
RAIDOpen Water 20mExplorer 30mRescue DiverDivemaster
SDIOpen Water Diver 18mSDI Advanced AdventureAdvanced + Rescue DiverDivemaster
SNSIDivemaster
SSIOpen Water Diver 18mAdvanced Adventurer Diver 30mDive Guide EN/ISO 24801-3:2014Dive Guide with Science of Diving = Dive Master

Instructor Grades

Dive AgencyInstructor Qualifications
ACUCEntry Level Instructor, Assistant InstructorOpen Water Instructor with 140 divesOpen Water Instructor with additional courses
BSACTheory Instructor / Practical InstructorOpen Water InstructorAdvanced InstructorNational Instructor
CMAS1 Star Instructor2 Star Instructor3 Star Instructor4 Star
NAUIScuba InstructorInstructor TrainerCourse Director
PADIAssistant InstructorOpen Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI)Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT)Instructor Development Course (IDC) / Staff Instructor / Master Instructor
PTRD1 Star Assistant Instructor1 Star Scuba Instructor
SDIAssistant InstructorOpen Water Scuba Diver InstructorCourse DirectorInstructor Trainer
SNSIOpen Water InstructorDM Instructor
SSIAssistant InstructorOpen Water Instructor