Qualification Recognition?

[Paul Oliver]

Ok several times recently when i have been speaking to potential new members qualification recognition has cropped up.

My view, based on my own experience and a thread that was going on several years ago is that BSAC is generally well known and although a Dive Centre may not be familiar with the QRB and the content of the various training levels, they are happy to accept it as a qualification and its equivalency (made up word?)

Has anyone any experience or knowledge/examples to support this? In particular cases where the BSAC Qualification was not accepted?

I would hope in this modern internet age that a quick search would have resolved any issues along these lines.

All examples welcome.

Dive Safe

Paul

[Mike Halligan]

My view, based on my own experience and a thread that was going on several years ago is that BSAC is generally well known and although a Dive Centre may not be familiar with the QRB and the content of the various training levels, they are happy to accept it as a qualification and its equivalency (made up word?)

Paul,

I think the word is equivalence ;-)

My (old style) QRB was readily accepted in NZ (with much hilarity), AUS and Malaysia, but I noted that the CMAS star system it employs was more immediately recognised and understood. (People tend to understand AD only when it is clearly endorsed "equivalent to CMAS ***".)

My PADI Nitrox "C" card is generally the most acceptable certification I carry at home and overseas and, like my BSAC Sports Diver "C" card, is useful if I don't specially want to show my QRB. [A friend has an old QRB (lost and subsequently found) that stops at SD.] It has similar utility.

As you say, a quick hit on the BSAC web-site should confirm equivalence, but perhaps it would be as well to take with you a note of the most pertinent URL.

HTH,

Mike

[gnirtS]

2 places ive been to recognised my qualification BUT werent aware of exactly what i could do with it. The one trip they had me down as "Padi OW equivalent" which was incorrect. When i mentioned it to them they asked for my QRB but were more interested in the lesson breakdown/signoff bit in that. After reading each lesson and sign off on the QRB they were happy to accept it as per the bsac limit.

The other place asked for my QRB and again on reading the lesson breakdown signatures off it were more than happy to accept it.

Everywhere else has just accepted it without question - nowhere has refused me or caused any real problems.

[David Walker]

Has anyone any experience or knowledge/examples to support this? In particular cases where the BSAC Qualification was not accepted?

In addition to what the others have said, remember that if you get a BSAC qual card thats got the CMAS equivalent star rating on the back, and you can get a full CMAS card (although they cost a fair bit more) too. Between BSAC and CMAS i'm sure most dive centres would recognise one of the two.

David