Scuba Divers Ranks

Are there ranks for scuba divers?

            Many people approach me with a question that concerns their minds. People tend to ask if there are ranks for a scuba diver. Even sometimes, scuba divers who are certified do not know the ranks or their limitations. To answer their first question about the ranks, yes there are ranks for scuba divers. To answer their second question about limitations, yes there are limitations to each license and for each diver.

What are the ranks of a scuba diver?

        Since I am a scuba diving instructor at the National Association of Underwater Instructors “NAUI”, the will explain the order of the scuba diving license ranks according to NAUI. The order of the ranks, requirements, or even limitations may differ from an association to another.This is the NAUI World Wide order of scuba diving license:

• Open water scuba diver - maximum diving limit is 18m. This course teaches a diver the basics of scuba diving.

  

  Scuba Diver License

• Advanced scuba diver-maximum diving limit is 40m. This course teaches a diver about deep diving, compass navigation, natural navigation, night or limited visibility diving, drift diving, and other diving specialties.

  

  Advanced Scuba Diver License

• Scuba rescue diver-teach a diver how to rescue his/her body underwater whether the diver was distressed or fainted from the moment that he/she sees the diver till the moment they reach the boat and help arrives.

  

  Scuba Rescue Diver License

• Master scuba diver-is a course that qualifies the diver to be a guide for a group of diver. The skills of the advanced scuba diving course are repeated with more difficulties and obstacles to teach the diver how to handle difficult situations underwater.

  

  Master Scuba Diver License

• Dive master-is an assistant instructor and is the beginning of the leadership courses. He/she helps the instructor during the teaching of the courses. Moreover, he/she may teach people by their own about snorkeling and skin diving. A dive master may be also a group leader for certified divers.

  

  Dive Master License

• Instructor-is qualified to certify divers till the dive master level.

  

  Instructor License 

• Instructor trainer-is qualified to certify people till the instructor level.
• Course director-is qualified to certify people till the course director level. A course director is the highest scuba diving rank all over the world.

This video may demonstrate to you the ranks of scuba diving according to the National Association of Underwater Instructors “NAUI”.