Swansea Yacht and Sub-Aqua Club welcomes previous diver training by recognised organisations, whether recreational, commercial or military. Divers can join us and enjoy diving within the recommendations of their existing qualification and BSAC Safe Diving Practices (whichever is the more conservative).
 
Should a diver, qualified by another diver training organisation, wish to further their diver training with the BSAC, the qualifications they already hold are recognised as a starting point for further training by the issue of a Statement of Alternative Training (SALT).

3 Options are available to divers wishing to join SYSAC:

OPTION 1

Qualified divers wishing to join SYSAC but NOT CONTINUE their training with the BSAC:

 
• The diver joins SYSAC and the BSAC.
• The diver presents evidence of their alternative diving qualification
• SYSAC consults the ‘similarity table’ and identifies the alternative diver qualification with the appropriate BSAC diver grade.
• The diver is then joins SYSAC and treated as a diver of that similar grade.
• The new member can apply for an optional 'Equivalency Card' from BSAC HQ.
• There is no documentation to be issued, i.e., Qualification Record Book, training material etc. to the new member.

Divers will be expected to attend a brief 'Induction to the BSAC' lesson based on parts of BSAC Ocean Diver training programme – OT1 and OT4, which will describe how the BSAC structure works, outline the aims, beliefs and function of BSAC as the national governing body, what BSAC membership offers and provide an overview of the BSAC '88 Decompression Tables.
 
The Diving Officer, or Training Officer, may also encourage further theory study and skills practice to 'close any gaps' which might become apparent on review of qualifications and practical experience, such as ‘controlled buoyant lift.

Click here to view the Table of Similar Qualifications 

OPTION 2

Qualified divers wishing to join SYSAC and FURTHER their training with the BSAC.
 
New members with other organisation qualifications are encouraged to continue their training and development as a diver within BSAC, by training for higher qualification levels and by attending BSAC Skill Development Courses (SDCs). The Training Officer of Swansea Yacht and Sub Aqua Club, can tell you more about these SDCs.
 
Should a diver, qualified by another diver training organisation, wish to further their diver training with the BSAC, the qualifications they already hold are recognised as a starting point for further training by the issue of a Statement of Alternative Training (SALT) page, issued as part of the training pack they purchase.

To obtain further diver training with the BSAC:

• Join SYSAC and the BSAC (as already described).
• On request, SYSAC will order a 'Crossover Training Pack’ for the next BSAC diver grade.
• The 'Crossover Training Pack’ will include the Student Notes and a BSAC Qualification
• Record Book - with an extra SALT page to record the previous training.
• On completion of the course, the diver will be a BSAC qualified diver at that new grade.

With this process, the NEW member may train for the next higher BSAC qualification. The process has to assume that the person has only just obtained the certificate they hold. It cannot offer any credit for variables such as additional diving experience gained since the qualification was achieved, or training undertaken on incomplete courses. This process applies only to diving qualifications and not to diving instructor qualifications.

Click here to view the Table of Similar Qualifications  

OPTION 3

Qualified BSAC divers undertaking FURTHER TRAINING with other organisations:
 
If a diver, having crossed over to the BSAC via a previous SALT, wishes to continue their training with other organisations, this is acceptable. Should their training advance their skill level, they may reintegrate back into BSAC training via a further SALT. Once again, they may require additional training and a "crossover" training pack needs to be obtained. Again the Diving Officer will only award similarity to the higher BSAC grade when all required additional training is completed.

Table of Similar Qualifications