Diving schools and instructors generally offer diving training according to proven and globally recognized training standards. Which training is the best? Very idle to speculate. Every training has its advantages and disadvantages, a good training is more dependent on a good diving instructor and good environmental conditions. Not everyone enjoys learning to dive in cold water and with poor visibility. On the other hand, you might want to get to know the theory better and not experience it on a fast vacation course. Basically there are the following training levels, which are also recognized among each other.
IAC / RSTC
SSI |
CMAS |
PADI |
NAUI |
SAA / BSAC |
ISO-Standard / EUF Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover Scuba Diving | Try Dive | Discover Scuba Diving | Try Scuba | -- | |
| Pool Diver | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| Scuba Diver | Basic Diver | Scuba Diver | Passport Diver / Scuba Diver | Elementary Diver / -- | Supervised Diver |
| Open Water Diver | CMAS* | Open Water Diver | Open Water Diver | Open Water Diver / Ocean Diver | Autonomous Diver |
| Advanced Adventurer | CMAS* + 2 Specialties | Advanced Open Water Diver | Advanced Adventurer | -- | No ISO / EUF Standards |
| Advanced Open Water Diver | CMAS** | -- | Advanced Open Water Diver | -- | |
| AOWD + Specialty Stress & Rescue | CMAS** + Specialty Stress & Rescue | Rescue Diver | Diver Stress & Rescue | Sport Diver / Club Diver | |
| Master Diver | -- | Master DIver | Master Diver | -- | |
| Dive Leader | CMAS*** | Dive Master | Dive Guide | Dive Leader / Dive Leader | Dive Leader |