View Full Version : Crossover to Scotsac
At present Im PADI Advanced open water, If I were to cross over to SCOTSAC as a Sport diver what additional training do I need to do?
I've already asked one club BDO and have been told I need to do:
Pool Work
Swim with blacked out mask
Rescue Drill
Lectures
SSAC organisation
Decompression Hazards and Avoidance
SSAC exam - easier than the PADI one
Sea
Rescue drill
Compass course
2 Assisted Ascents and possibily 2 shared (buddy breathing) ascents.
Having looked on the SCOTSAC website I cannot find a list anywhere stating the requirements. I've done SDI open water then PADI advanced so far and have completed the above except for the SSAC organisation and exam. Im not complaning about having to do the above Im just curious as to why I need to do it when it is already logged in my dive log?
As far as I understand it, you'll have to complete the training assessments that haven't been signed off in your book previously. In our club, we don't make our crossovers from AOW do the exam but they do have to attend some lectures.
It is however at the discretion of your BDO (and possibly Regional Coach) exactly what has to be done.
To my knowledge, you will have to do the rescue (not part of AOW I think) and buddy breathing shared ascents have been reinstated to the ScotSAC syllabus, so you'll have to do them also. There are also a few extra assessments in the new ScotSAC schedule that you didn't mention (e.g. dSMB deployment & additional dry suit skills). I'm not sure if you'll have covered them in AOW?
As you say though, it shouldn't really be a big deal. If you've done the stuff before, then it'll be no sweat for you do to it again. It's good practice for us all to do skill refreshers from time to time. Don't know about you, but I quite enjoy practising skills when I'm instructing: it's a 2 way street - good for the trainee & good for keeping me (reasonably) sharp. I did my first DV sharing ascent for a few months recently at Carrick Castle & quite enjoyed doing it again: looking forward to doing the Master Diver ones with some of our MD trainees. :eek:
At present Im PADI Advanced open water, If I were to cross over to SCOTSAC as a Sport diver what additional training do I need to do?
I've already asked one club BDO and have been told I need to do:
Pool Work
Swim with blacked out mask
Rescue Drill
Lectures
SSAC organisation
Decompression Hazards and Avoidance
SSAC exam - easier than the PADI one
Sea
Rescue drill
Compass course
2 Assisted Ascents and possibily 2 shared (buddy breathing) ascents.
Having looked on the SCOTSAC website I cannot find a list anywhere stating the requirements. I've done SDI open water then PADI advanced so far and have completed the above except for the SSAC organisation and exam. Im not complaning about having to do the above Im just curious as to why I need to do it when it is already logged in my dive log?
If I were you I would stick with the AOW and then do the PADI Rescue Diver, not many folks outside the UK have heard of Scotsac...
If I were you I would stick with the AOW and then do the PADI Rescue Diver, not many folks outside the UK have heard of Scotsac...That's a fair point. We certainly don't insist on divers trained with other organisations to cross-over to ScotSAC in order to dive with us. It's totally up to them. It just depends on whether they want to become more active in the club: e.g. becoming instructor or master diver grade etc.
Although ScotSAC is not well-known globally, qualified members shouldn't have problems as long as they take their training books with them (the membership card itself might not be recognised on its own). ScotSAC Sport Diver is equivalent to CMAS 2 star which most dive centres recognise.
To further progress is why I am thinking of crossing over, however I'd just keep both Certs for holidays abroad. PADI rescue is on my list along with TDI Adv nitrox and Deco. So I'll more than likely just do both. Thanks for replies.
Although ScotSAC is not well-known globally, qualified members shouldn't have problems as long as they take their training books with them (the membership card itself might not be recognised on its own). ScotSAC Sport Diver is equivalent to CMAS 2 star which most dive centres recognise.
So far I've dived in Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Jamaica, Mexico mainland, Belize, the Maldives and the Red Sea and I've not had a problem with my Scotsac card.
To further progress is why I am thinking of crossing over, however I'd just keep both Certs for holidays abroad. PADI rescue is on my list along with TDI Adv nitrox and Deco. So I'll more than likely just do both. Thanks for replies.
PADI rescue & TDI training will be more beneficial than crossing over to SSAC.
these quallifications will take you above master diver level.
have a look at the SSAC diver development programme, by their own admission, you cannot progress beyone master diver as they do not run the courses.
the first class diver award is now unobtainable.
this is on their web site!
SSAC quallifications are only good so long as you pay membership as your card only lasts for one year, it is date stamped.
PADI & TDI cards last a lifetime.
i have no doubt in the initial cross over (should you venture down that road) you will learn new skills from SSAC, however, should you wish to progress into technical diving or 40m+ then you will no doubt have to pay for private training.
SSAC do the 'deep diver endorsment' a quallification i would like to have, but one of the prerequisites is the 'deep rescue'.
you will have more chance finding a hens dentist than getting a space on that course im afraid to say.
i have been trying for 3 years.
i have had an invitation to the deep diving course, but cannot go without the deep rescue!!:rolleyes:
should you do a nitrox course with another affiliation, it is not recognised by SSAC insurance.
i.e. i have a padi nitrox badge but i cant dive under SSAC club rules with a 22% mix.
if your contemplating furthering your diving, i would recomend you look at the BSAC structured training, they also recognise your previous quallifications including PADI, TDI, mixed gas etc.
incidentally, im a SSAC master diver.
sorry Gord if this sounds political!
Have I opened a can of worms here????
If there was just one standard life would be alot simplier, IE PADI adv = SSAC sport = BSAC sport etc etc. Stew your comments are my exact reasons I have not crossed over yet. However I did think crossing over and doing additional other agency courses as well. All depends on cost etc. Think I'll sit on it a while longer.
I did think crossing over and doing additional other agency courses as well.
this is exactly what i did, but i have soon come to realise that i cannot do the diving i like to do under SSAC rules.
SSAC is good as your within a club enviroment where you can develop to a certain level.
you have access to buddies, pool & club equipment. perhaps even a boat.
but if your quallified beyond that enviroment level you may turn into another 'misfit'.
people may not want to dive with you, or if they do, they are breaking SSAC rules which could lead to further trouble.
your at a stage where you have a lot of developing to do, SSAC training will be good for you, as will any other.
i know you will train further as i have dived with you & you have 'tekkie' written all over you :)
your already diving a twinset.
my posts were not meant to be derogitory towards SSAC, i have similar views on other affiliations, you just so happened to ask about SSAC.
& CA is probably not the place for polotics as its a non-affiliated forum.
do what is best for you & remember...
diving is supposed to be fun.
IMHO I think SSAC are good up to master diver then as stew says its hard to get any advancement. I suppose you have to remember the cost, SSAC is the cheapest of the lot because the Instructors don't get paid and after a while you get pissed of with constant training and just want to dive. :cool:
As Claire said, I also have dived all round the world and the SSAC card is excepted everywhere.
SSAC card "that will do nicely sir" ;)
Hi
If you have any queries related to the equivalance of SSAC awards I suggest you e-mail the SSAC NDO via the SSAC web site.
Training for awards above Master diver is carried out when there is demand.
For some awards equivalents are accepted by SSAC.
Hi
If you have any queries related to the equivalence of SSAC awards I suggest you e-mail the SSAC NDO via the SSAC web site.
Training for awards above Master diver is carried out when there is demand.
For some awards equivalents are accepted by SSAC.
I emailed this question to HQ months ago and have not had a response, at the back of my SCOTSAC Book it talks about equivalent qualifications / courses yet no information on them is available. (BSAC, have a public matrix)
I had confirmation that my question was received and would be put forward however nothing has ever happened.
Hi
If you have any queries related to the equivalance of SSAC awards I suggest you e-mail the SSAC NDO via the SSAC web site.
Training for awards above Master diver is carried out when there is demand.
For some awards equivalents are accepted by SSAC.
if only that worked then less people would leave ssac on a yearly basis.
would also be nice if they actually completed the courses & not just run off with the individuals money.
if your in any way connected to the 'powers that be' Brian, do us all a favour & give em a good old swifty up the bum with your size 10's. :D
i can also back up Davieg comments as i saw the confirmation.
At present Im PADI Advanced open water, If I were to cross over to SCOTSAC
Why would you want to :confused:
Dive Tramp
01-01-08, 17:14
Why would you want to :confused:
Got to concur with Davie, ...
But check this out...
http://www.bsac.org/page/753/padi.htm
Good info , straight from the horse, in a clear succinct fashion!