North Wales Sub-Aqua Club (NWSAC) follow the Sub-Aqua Association (SAA) Diver Certification Program. it is the CMAS issuing authority in the UK and is run by its members, for the members. The SAA is an association of independent dive clubs which provides material and training for associated clubs to train divers. Whether you're already a qualified scuba diver or looking to take up the sport, our scuba development programmes deliver a wide range of courses to our members.
The SAA run a large number of courses nationally, including Instructor, Boat Handling and Diver Supervisor, to name a few. The table below shows the SAA Diver Grades & Certification Levels.
Already a qualified diver? Not a problem. Divers from all other agencies are welcome. Hover over the SAA Diver Grades below to see your diver qualification crossover level.
The first step on the Sub-Aqua Association certification ladder. An Elementary Diver Trainee will complete their pool and classroom training with qualified SAA instructors, before progressing to open water. The open water training will be carried out by a qualified SAA Open water diving instructor (or above) to a maximum depth of 10m.
An Open Water Diver has attained the Elementary Diver qualification and gained additional practical diving experience within the safety of their club. They can now dive under the supervision of a Dive leader or above, to depths up to 20m.
A Club Diver is qualified to dive in open water and may dive with others certified to Club Diver or higher. A Club Diver may dive to a maximum depth of 35m.
A Dive Leader has additional practical experience and knowledge, and has proven their ability to lead divers underwater. A Dive Leader may dive to a maximum depth of 50m (recognised as maximum depth using air for sport diving). This is the next step up the diving ladder for the aspiring Club Diver. Theory and practical training is normally carried out at club level.
A Dive Supervisor is an experienced and responsible diver, with a proven ability to organise and lead diving expeditions. Club Diver Supervisors normally carry out the theory and practical training for the divers within their club.
A National Diver is a diver who has been, through nationally organised assessments, proven to have a higher level of knowledge and ability. A National Diver is able to organise a group of divers to achieve major tasks and projects underwater.