User:Andrew pattern

Below is a table of the main diving organizations that are based in the UK and the qualifications that they offer. They are based on the use of standard air tanks only.

Diving Qualification Table
Some of the main questions about taking up diving are:

How much is it going to cost?
The cost is variable as with many things.

BSAC and SAA are club oriented and expect you to eventually own your own equipment. The training is ongoing with an annual membership subscription to be paid. The cost of the courses are not included with your subscription.

PADI you can hire equipment for the courses. The Courses vary in cost dependent on where you learn to dive in the world.

How long does it take to qualifiy?
BSAC & SAA you go through the training the first year of joining the club. PADI qualifications are designed to be atained whilst on holiday.

How deep can I go?
The table above shows how deep you can go with each qualification

what can I do after qualified?
All the agencies required that you dive with a diveleader or divemaster for the lower qualifications. When training you are required to be under the instruction of a dive instructor.

You can learn different additional skills which enhance the way that you can dive.

1= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving_training

Conclusion
Whilst PADI is the quickest and cheapest way to learn to dive, there is a dive limit on the depth that you can dive. If you wish to dive deeper both BSAC and SAA cater for that but the training is longer with the addition of safety training. All the agencies are able to cross-train and to exchange between level of qaulification.

Always dive with a diver which has local knowledge of the area that you are diving and is at instructor/divemaster level.

External References
http://www.bsac.com/page.asp?section=594&sectionTitle=Diving%20Course%20Syllabus Diving Course Syllabus

http://www.padi.com/ Diving Course Syllabus

http://www.saa.org.uk/Qualifications/DiveQualifications/tabid/120/Default.aspx Diving Course Syllabus