Crossover courses

Although we are a BSAC club and run our own training courses, many of our members join us with certification from PADI or other dive training organisations.

The club welcomes all qualified divers and we are happy for them to dive to their existing qualification levels on appropriate club dives following a check out dive. Crossover training is available, but not obligatory. Please consult the list opposite and the guidance notes download if your qualification is with another dive agency or contact us for further information.

Crossover training

Whilst qualified divers may dive with the club on the qualifications that they hold, they may also wish to consider crossover to the BSAC training scheme.

We are able to offer crossover courses that will allow other agency qualifications such as PADI and CMAS to be synchronized with the BSAC training level. These crossover courses are not obligatory but we would encourage members to take the opportunity to participate as it increases the depth and experience range and will open up more dive opportunities within the club.

Crossover courses are tailored to the individual depending on dive qualification, experience and the length of time between originally qualifying and their last dive. It may just need a couple of pool sessions and a check out dive in open water but if it has been a long time since the original dive qualification was gained and there has been no recent diving experience, we may suggest that you sit in on one of our full training courses in order to refresh your knowledge and skills. Our Training Officer will always be happy to discuss the options available to you.

Example PADI crossovers

Since most qualified divers that join us are PADI trained, the most common crossover examples are listed as examples below.

PADI Openwater crosses over to BSAC Ocean Diver.

PADI Advance Openwater crosses over to BSAC Ocean Diver
but with a short crossover course can be made up to BSAC Sports Diver.

PADI Rescue Diver crosses over to BSAC Sports Diver.

PADI Dive Master crosses over to BSAC Dive Leader.

How does my existing
dive qualification relate to BSAC?

If you want to know how your current dive qualification relates to BSAC qualifications, refer to the list opposite. These detail BSAC qualifications with their equivalents from other recognised dive training agencies. 

Note: due to the variation allowed in training for the higher diving qualifications awarded by US diver training agencies, BSAC is unable to accept them as being of a similar standard to BSAC Advanced Diver. But Branch Diving Officers can judge additional experience and training on a case-by-case basis, so please speak to our club Diving Officer if this applies to you.

Please feel free to visit us on a club evening, we will be happy to discuss this with you. There is no need to make an appointment to visit, just turn up any Thursday from 8.30pm in the pool area or from 10.00pm in the bar area, but bear with us if while we find someone to help you. Alternately ring our club mobile on 07951 855725 to advise us that you are coming we'll make sure there is someone available to meet you on arrival.