BSAC

BSAC Welcomes Qualified Divers

Qualified divers joining the British Sub-Aqua Club
The British Sub-Aqua Club welcomes previous diver training by recognised organisations, whether recreational, commercial or military. Divers can join a BSAC branch (link to Branch Locator) and enjoy diving with that branch within the recommendations of their existing qualification and BSAC Safe Diving Practices (whichever is the more conservative).

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OPTION 1
How qualified divers can join a BSAC Branch, be recognised at a similar BSAC grade and NOT continue their training with the BSAC:

• The diver joins a Branch and the BSAC. link to Branch Locator
  
• The diver presents evidence of the qualifications already held in the form of original and authenticated certificates, training records in other agency logbooks, etc. If a translation of a foreign certificate is necessary, it is the responsibility of the new member to provide it.
• The Branch will recognise the alternative diver qualification (see table below).
• The diver is then integrated into the Branch and treated as a diver of the appropriate similar grade.
• The new member can apply for an optional 'Equivalency Card' from BSAC HQ.
• There is no need for any other documentation to be issued, i.e., Qualification Record Book, training material etc. to the new member

Divers will be expected to attend a brief 'Induction to the BSAC' lesson based on parts of the BSAC Ocean Diver training programme – OT1 and OT4, which will:

• Describe how the Branch structure works
• Outline the aims, beliefs and function of the BSAC as the governing body.
• Outline what BSAC membership offers.
• Provide an overview of the BSAC '88 Decompression Tables.

The Diving Officer or Training Officer may also encourage further theory study and skills practice to 'close any gaps' which might become apparent on review of qualifications and experience.

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OPTION 2
Qualified divers, recognised at a similar BSAC grade and FURTHERING training with the BSAC:
New members with other organisation qualifications are encouraged to continue their training and development as a diver within the BSAC, by training for higher qualification levels and by attending BSAC Skill Development Courses (SDCs). Your Branch, or BSAC HQ, can tell you more about these SDCs.

Should a diver, qualified by another training organisation, wish to further their diver training with the BSAC, the qualifications they already hold are recognised as a starting point for further training by the issue of a Statement of Alternative Training (SALT).

Furthering diver training with the BSAC:

• Join a branch and the BSAC (as already described)
• On request, your Branch will order a 'Crossover' Training Pack for the next BSAC diver grade
• The 'Crossover' Training Pack will include the Student Notes and a BSAC Qualification Record Book - with an extra SALT page to record the previous training
• On completion of the course, the diver will be a BSAC diver at that new grade

With this SALT process, the NEW BSAC member may train for the next higher BSAC qualification. The SALT process has to assume that the person has only just obtained the certificate they hold. It cannot offer any further credit for variables such as additional diving experience gained since the qualification was achieved, or training undertaken on incomplete courses.
Note: The SALT process applies only to diving qualifications and not to diving instructor qualifications.

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OPTION 3
Qualified BSAC divers undertaking further training with other organisations.
If a diver having crossed over to the BSAC via a previous SALT wishes to continue their training with other organisations, this is acceptable. Should their training advance their skill level, they may reintegrate back into BSAC training via a further SALT. Once again, they may require additional training and a "crossover" training pack needs to be obtained. Again the Diving Officer will only award similarity to the higher BSAC grade when all required additional training is completed.

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Nothing in this process for newly-joining and existing BSAC-qualified divers of the BSAC removes or alters the Branch Diving Officer's responsibility for the safety and well being of Branch members. As with all members, if the DO feels that the skills of a new member, originally or subsequently trained by another organisation are lacking, the DO is at liberty to require the member to undertake appropriate refresher training and/or limit their open water diving activities until a satisfactory level of skills performance is demonstrated.

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TABLE OF SIMILAR QUALIFICATIONS

To assist both the experienced diver joining BSAC, and the Branch itself in administering this system, the BSAC has devised a 'Table of Similar Qualifications'. This Table is based on a comparison of other organisation's training programmes with those of BSAC, and is kept under continuous review.
The SALT process is not used to recognise speciality / special interest training, only complete diver qualification courses. Speciality / special interest training by other agencies may be recognised by the BSAC through the issue of Skill Development Course Alternative Training Certificates. Information Sheet A.5 'Alternative Skill Development Course Training', available from BSAC HQ or from this website, explains how this is done.

Notes on the Table of Similar Qualifications

1. The Table lists a number of ‘other organisation’ qualifications that are considered to be of a similar standard to the BSAC qualification shown. The Table does not attempt to be definitive and only includes the more commonly recognised programmes.

Other Organisation Qualification	BSAC Qualification
All ‘Entry Level’ qualifications (which typically do not include rescue training) such as: CMAS One Star Diver NASDS Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver NAUI Scuba Diver and Advanced Scuba Diver PADI Open Water Diver PADI Advanced Open Water Diver and AOWD Plus Royal Navy Ships Diver SAA Open Water Diver SSI Open Water Diver SSI Advanced Open Water Diver	Ocean Diver
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). See also Notes 4 and 5. NASDS Rescue Diver NAUI Scuba Rescue Diver PADI Rescue Diver SAA Club Diver SSAC Third Class Diver SSI Advanced Open Water Diver with ‘Stress and Rescue’ Speciality Army Compressed Air Diver	Sports Diver
All ‘Third Level’ qualifications (which must include dive leadership training) such as: NASDS Dive Supervisor NAUI Divemaster PADI Divemaster SAA Dive Leader SSAC Second Class Diver/Master Diver SSI Dive Control Specialist	Dive Leader
Any higher level of qualification, such as: CMAS Three Star Diver SAA Dive Supervisor Because of the variation allowed in training leading to higher diving qualifications awarded by US diver training organisations, BSAC is unable to accept them as being of a similar standard to BSAC Advanced Diver. However, Branch Diving Officers can judge additional experience and training on a case by case basis.	Advanced Diver