The UISP International Diving Certifications and PADI Courses

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By Caterina Melani posted on 21 July 2010 | Reading time: 3 Minutes | Last update 14 April 2011

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Fancy trying scuba diving? If you've always been curious about the world of diving but aren't sure how to get started, what certifications you need, or what to look for, read this article—we'll clear up all your doubts!

Underwater activities captivate everyone with what they offer: diving and exploring the seabed to discover vibrant colours, marine fauna, and flora. Prepare properly to connect with a hidden world beneath the sea's surface!

Here’s a summary of the diving certifications required to practise scuba diving safely, as established by UISP (Italian Union of Sports for All), along with their equivalent titles under CMAS (World Confederation of Underwater Activities).

Junior Courses: Introduce children aged 8–12 to diving under instructor supervision. Depths reach 5–8 metres, as recommended by sports physicians.
First Grade: Certifies you as a sports diver to -18 metres, diving with an instructor or higher-level diver. CMAS equivalent: One-Star Diver.
Second Grade: Qualifies as a sports diver to -30 metres, authorised to accompany First Grade divers. CMAS: Two-Star Diver.
Third Grade: Certifies as a sports diver to -39 metres (maximum recreational depth). Divers may guide groups of equal or lower certification. CMAS: Three-Star Diver.
Rescue Operator: A specialty certification allowing registration in the National Rescue Operators Register. CMAS equivalent: Dive Rescue.
Instructor (TIS): Awarded after apprenticeship under a senior UISP instructor. CMAS: One-Star Instructor. Includes freediving certifications (Grades 1–3).

Now, let’s review the diving courses offered by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), the globally recognised standard:

Recreational courses for beginners: Discover Scuba Diving (min. age 10), Bubblemaker (min. 8), Seal Team (min. 8).
Certification options: Open Water Diver or Scuba Diver.
Skill-building: Adventure Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Navigator, Boat Diver, and Scuba Review Tune-up.
Advanced diving: PADI Rescue Diver for challenging sites. For underwater photography, capture adventures with the Digital Underwater Photographer course.
Specialty: Become an underwater environmentalist if marine conservation inspires you.