Levels of Classification

[chincoteague diver]

I know this may vary depending on the agency but generally what are the different levels of classification and what's required for each of them and what are their limits.
1. open water certification requires the class training, pool sessions, and 4 (or 5) open water dives. I think you are limited to 60 feet? (I'm not totally sure.)
Then there is advanced open water.......etc.

THANKS!

 

[H2Andy]

well... it will vary by agency, but generally speaking:

Open Water -- class, pool sessions, 4 dives

Advanced Open Water -- class, 4 dives

Rescue -- class, pool sessions, 2 dives

Nitrox -- class, 2 dives (PADI no longer requires dives)

Master Diver -- PADI is 5 classes plus a fee; NAUI is somewhat more comprehensive
-----------------------------------------------------

then you get into the professional ranks, with DM, Assistant Instructor, and Instructor classes

i believe DM requires a minimum of 60 dives to complete, and then
you go from there.

 

[Diveral]

You also have the

Recreational track which H2Andy explained very well

professional track which is your Divemasters and instructors

technical track which is your really advanced and extreme stuff.

One clarification on the Master diver - PADI = AOW & Rescue + 5 specialty courses NAUI is a really advanced and tough class + pool sessions + I believe 8 dives

AL

 

[Lost_At_Sea]

H2Andy pretty much summed it all up.

 

[cudachaser]

NASE:

Open Water - 4 dives not to exceed 60ft
AOW - 7 dives including night and deep dives to 130ft
Rescue - 2 dives
Nitrox - 2 dives
DiveMaster - 50 logged dives
Instructor - 100 logged dives

 

[Walter]

Interesting that so many people make statements indicating all agencies are the same then when a question like this one comes up, they say, "It will vary by agency."

Each agency has extensive and very detailed requirements that are totally different from other agencies at almost every level, so it's not something I'm going to attempt to detail here. It took months to compile a simple comparison of the entry level standards of just 3 agencies. I'll stick, for now, with the three with which I'm most familiar and am working from memory.

PADI is the most common progression is:

Open Water - 4 dives
Advanced Open Water - 5 dives
Rescue - (I don't know how many dives are required)
Dive Master
Assistant Instructor (usually this step is effectively skipped)
Instructor

NAUI

SCUBA Diver - 5 dives (one of which may be a skin dive)
Advanced Open Water - 6 dives
Rescue
Assistant Instructor
Dive Master
Instructor

YMCA

Open Water - 5 dives (one of which must be a skin dive)
Advanced Open Water - 5 dives or Silver Advanced - 10 dives
SCUBA Lifesaving and Accident Management - SLAM
Dive Master
Assistant Instructor
Instructor


Specialties, except SLAM/Rescue are not part of the progression. All three have a "Master Diver" program, but only NAUI and YMCA have a class for it. PADI's Master Diver is a card you can buy after completing 5 specialties and loggong 50 dives. NAUI's Master Diver is a fairly comprehensive class including lots of academics and dives in as many different conditions as possible in the local area. YMCA's Gold Star Master Diver is also one that involves academics and dives, but it also irequires some advanced skills.

 

[chincoteague diver]

Thanks for clearing this up for me!

 

[chincoteague diver]

It took months to compile a simple comparison of the entry level standards of just 3 agencies.

Walter, Great website! Very detailed yet easy to understand for the person just getting into diving.

 

[Thalassamania]

The point of the NAUI Master Diver course is to provide training/documentation of knowledge/skills at the level of Instructor (without the teaching element). A NAUI Master Diver has passed exactly the same written knowledge exam as a NAUI Instructor.

 

[The Chairman]

Hey Walter... you have to be a Master Diver before you can become a Dive Master with NAUI. You learn more about NAUI's excellent program HERE!!!

SDI requires 6 dives for the "Advanced Adventure Diver", while their Advanced course requires 25 logged dives and earning 4 specialties. You can learn more about SDI's course selections HERE!!