|  | SAA, PADI or BSAC?There are three main organisations teaching scuba diving in the UK : • SAA - (Sub Aqua Association) • BSAC - (British Sub Aqua Club) • PADI - (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)
All three organisations teach safe diving, through qualified, experienced instructors and all three qualifications are recognised abroad, enabling you to dive anywhere in the world. There are a few differences however… | SAA - Sub Aqua Association |  | The Sub Aqua Association is a collection of independent dive clubs, run within guidelines set by the SAA. It is a UK based organisation, however an SAA qualification will be recognised and enable you to dive abroad. Because of the club structure, it can take a while to learn to dive. Training takes place over the course of a few months, however this way, you learn to dive with people you know and trust. New divers are assured of a safe introduction to diving, in the company of divers who are willing to give up their time to ensure the best possible training in a friendly atmosphere. Clubs are run on a non-profit basis, with all money (such as club fees) being put back into the club. Clubs tend to own their own equipment, such as boats and dive kit, and dive regularly in the UK and often arrange group holidays abroad. Web site : www.saa.org.uk | BSAC - British Sub Aqua Club |  | The British Sub Aqua Club is a UK based organisation, and was formed in 1953 to promote diving. BSAC operates in a similar manner to the SAA, in that it is a club organisation, and is also operated on a non-profit basis. Training is again completed over a period of months. BSAC qualifications are also recognised abroad. Web site: www.bsac.com | PADI - Professional Association of Diving Instructors |  | The Professional Association of Dive Instructors is probably the largest scuba certification organisation in the world. Therefore, a PADI qualification is definitely recognised abroad! PADI is an international organisation, which started in 1966 and now has members and dive centres in most countries around the world. Around 55% of all divers world-wide are trained and certified by PADI. Training is carried out by full time, salaried instructors. Because of this, training to basic level can be completed in a few days. However this puts the new member under a certain amount of pressure to “pass” the course within the time limit set. PADI are a commercial, profit making organisation and training can be more expensive than with training with a club. There is no club structure, so once you have completed your training and are qualified, you are, to a certain extent, on your own. Web Site : www.padi.co.uk |
It is important to remember that one system is not better than another. They are just different! Find the one that will work best for you! |
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