SAA Qualifications

SAA clubs teach new members themselves. The SAA lays down a set of guidelines and standards, which the clubs follow in training and certifying their members. Many people who join us from other organisations may have varying styles of tuition but as long as their training is in line with our standards their programme will be accepted by the SAA.

All diving qualifications are at the discretion of the Diving Officer. This means that the Diving Officer has a lot of flexibility when crossing over divers who have received training with other organisations. The Diving Officer may take into account training, experience and ability. Any individual crossing over may be sure of a positive reception and will be provided with all the support they require to make the transition. An additional benefit of joining the SAA, is that the SAA is soon to be approved as a member of CMAS and as such will provide you with additional recognition anywhere in the world.

As an organisation, the SAA is a particularly close knit community. As a club and as an individual, the contact you will have with other clubs and divers within your region is significant. The SAA's friendly structure positively encourages this, and ensures you that you get the most out of your sport.
Diving Qualification Grades

Elementary Diver Trainee (EDT)
An EDT must complete all pool and relevant classroom training, as set out in the SAA Qualification Record Book and Guidance Manual, to the satisfaction of the Club Diving Officer before being taken on their first open water dive. A trainee must dive with an Open Water Instructor or above and must not dive at a depth greater than 10m.

Elementary Diver (ED)
An Elementary Diver is fully pool trained but inexperienced in open water. When diving in open water an Elementary Diver must be accompanied by at least a Dive Leader or higher. If the Elementary Diver is receiving any training or examination during the dive, it must be under the guidance of at least an Open Water Instructor. An Elementary Diver may Dive to a maximum Depth of 20m whilst under Instruction for OWD.
Open Water Diver (OWD)
An Open Water Diver has additional practical experience. The Open Water Diver must be accompanied by a minimum of a Dive Leader or higher. If the OWD is receiving any training or examination during the dive, it must be under the guidance of at least an Open Water Instructor. An Open Water Diver may dive to a maximum depth of 35m whilst under Instruction for Club Diver.
Club Diver (CD)

A Club Diver is qualified to dive in open water and may dive with other certified to Club Diver or higher.
A Club Diver is not considered to have sufficient experience to dive with divers of Elementary or Open Water standards in open water. If the Club Diver is receiving any training or examination during the dive, it must be under the guidance of at least an Open Water Instructor.
A Club Diver may dive to a maximum depth of 50m.
Dive Leader (DL)

A Dive Leader has additional practical experience and knowledge, and has proven their ability to lead divers underwater. A Dive Leader may dive with any grade of certified diver. A Dive Leader is not an Instructor and may not instruct in open water unless qualified as an Open Water Instructor or above.
Dive Supervisor (DS)

A Dive Supervisor is an experienced and responsible diver, with a proven ability to organise and lead diving expeditions. A Dive Supervisor is not an Instructor and may not instruct in open water unless qualified as an Open Water Instructor or above.

Dive Master (DM)
A Dive Master is a diver who has through nationally organised assessments proven to have a higher level of knowledge and ability. A Dive Master is able to organise a group of divers to achieve major tasks and projects underwater.


Oxygen Administration
The SAA Oxygen Administration Course is a one day course intended to introduce the student to the use of oxygen as a First Aid procedure for diving related illness, and to produce a high standard in the administration of CPR to a diving casualty.

Diver First Aid
The SAA Diver First Aid Course is a two day course intended to benefit everyone, especially those with no previous knowledge in First Aid or the treatment of a casualty in an accident situation.

Diver Rescue
The SAA Diver Rescue three part Course provides the candidate with the diving skills and underpinning knowledge to improve or refresh their basic diving skills as well as developing their rescue skills.

Diver Rescue is a mandatory qualification for Dive Supervisor & Regional Instructor.

Nitrox Diver
This one-day Nitrox Diver course provides the diver with the knowledge to safely use Oxygen Enriched Air (Nitrox) for dives in the range down to 40 meters with reduced decompression obligation.

Extended Range Nitrox Diver (including accelerated decompression)
The three day SAA Extended Range Nitrox Diver (including accelerated decompression) course provides the diver with the knowledge to safely use richer Oxygen Enriched Air (Nitrox) mixes up to 100% for dives in the range down to maximum depth of 54 meters with reduced decompression obligation.

Basic Boathandling
The Basic Boat Handling course provides the member with little or no boat handling experience, theoretical and practical instruction in the safe handling of small powerboats at sea.

Chartwork and Navigation
The one day Chartwork and Navigation course provides the members, with little or no experience in chartwork or navigation, theoretical instruction in the use of charts and navigational aids.

Diver Coxswain
The Diver Coxswain five session course provides the experienced boat handlers, theoretical and practical instruction to enable them to take charge of small powered craft whilst on diving expeditions.

Rescue Coxswain
The two day Rescue Coxswain course provides a sound introduction to rescue and safety boat work, the course is specifically for powerboat users, including none divers.

Apart from the extra syllabus and variety of the craft, the major difference between this and the basic boat handling and diver coxswain courses, is the skill needed for dealing with rescues involving various type of craft and with personnel in the water.
Nitrox Gas Blender Course
The objective of this one day course is to train candidates in the proper techniques, equipment requirements and hazards involved in blending nitrox gases for recreational scuba.