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Atherton Sub Aqua Club is committed to promoting diving and would be delighted to help you learn to dive. Why not start by having a try dive. If you decide that scuba diving is for you, then ASAC is able to train you to dive anywhere in the world. |
ASAC is affiliated to the Sub-Aqua Association (SAA) and offers training for SAA qualifications SAA qualifications are equivalent to those offered by other bodies such as PADI or BSAC. SAA qualifications are also equivalent to the appropriate international standards set by CMAS and are recognised all over the world.
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For new divers, training begins with sessions in the pool with lectures on theoretical aspects of diving at the poolside or in the pub afterwards. After a few weeks, the new diver should qualify as a SAA Elementary Diver During pool sessions you will learn how to use scuba equipment, skills such as how to clear your mask underwater, and basic safety skills. These skills are complemented by lectures on scuba equipment, how diving affects your body, accident avoidance and basic first aid. Once these basic skills are mastered, training progresses to dives at one of the nearby quarry dive sites (the Delph or Capernwray) to give experience in diving in open water in a sheltered environment. This training leads to the SAA Open Water Diver qualification. Training soon moves on to inshore dives from the club's boat, eventually leading the SAA Club Diver qualification. Once qualified as Club Diver, you can dive with any other club diver. Training doesn't stop here. You can go on to qualify as Dive Leader or Dive Supervisor or obtain qualifications in diving skills such as Diver First Aid, Diver Rescue, Nitrox Diving, Boat Handling, etc. |
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As you progress, you will want to buy your own equipment and club members are happy to offer advice and help in getting the best equipment for you.
SAA Diving Qualifications
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The SAA has a comprehensive training programme to equip divers for every sort and level of diving. Atherton Sub Aqua Club has a number of people who are qualified to train divers from absolute beginners up to Dive Supervisor level.
This page gives details of the skills that are taught during training for Elementary Diver, Open Water Diver and Club Diver. Each level also has a number of qualifying dives that must be completed before the qualification is given.
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Elementary Diver | |
Lectures | Practical Skills |
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Open Water Diver | |
Lectures | Practical Skills |
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Club Diver | |
Lectures | Practical Skills |
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SAA qualifications are equivalent to those offered by other bodies such as PADI or BSAC. SAA qualifications are also equivanlet to the appropriate international standards set by CMAS and are recognised all over the world. The equivalence of SAAqualifications to those of other agencies is shown in the table below.
SAA | PADI | BSAC | |
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Elementary Diver | Basic SCUBA | ||
Open Water Diver | Open Water Diver | Club Diver | |
Club Diver | Advanced OW Diver and Diver Rescue | Sports Diver | |
Dive Leader | Dive Leader | ||
Dive Supervisor | Divemaster | Advanced Diver | |
National Diver | 1st Class Diver |