Yes. RAID is one of only seven dive agencies operating internationally with active instructors and dive centres across the globe. Your RAID certification card is accepted at dive centres in Thailand, Indonesia, the Red Sea, the Caribbean, and beyond. RAID certifications also meet RSTC and HSE standards — among the highest in the world — and exceed ISO standards, so you can dive with confidence wherever your adventures take you.

No experience is needed to get started. RAID dive centres welcome complete beginners from the age of 10 upwards. Your journey typically starts with the RAID Open Water 20 course, which takes you from your very first breath underwater to a recognised diving certification. If you're already a certified diver with another agency, your existing experience will be taken into account and you can join at the appropriate level.

Most entry-level RAID courses can be completed over a few days, though the exact timeframe depends on your chosen centre and how you prefer to learn. One of the advantages of RAID is that all theory is completed online before you arrive, at your own pace and completely free of charge. By the time you get in the water, you're focused entirely on practical skills — which means less time in a classroom and more time diving.

Switching to RAID is straightforward. RAID offers crossover programmes that recognise your existing certification and experience, allowing you to transition without starting from scratch. Your current level and logged dives are taken into consideration, and in many cases you can pick up from an equivalent RAID qualification. Your local RAID dive centre can advise on the best route based on your existing credentials.

The RAID UK website lists a select number of featured dive centres. Whether you're looking for a centre close to home, one with access to an inland quarry, a specialist in technical or sidemount diving, or a centre with an active social dive club, there's likely a RAID centre that's the right fit. Browse the listings, reach out directly, and most centres are happy to have an initial conversation before you commit to anything. The DiveRaid International website has the full list of RAID Dive Centres wordlwide.

Yes. RAID offers junior diving programmes for divers from the age of 10. Divers under 15 receive a RAID Junior Open Water 20 certification, which can be upgraded to a full RAID Open Water 20 certification upon turning 15. All junior divers complete the same theory and skills training as adult students, adapted appropriately for age and ability. Parental or guardian permission is required for divers under 13.

Recreational diving covers dives within no-decompression limits, typically to a maximum of 40 metres, using standard scuba equipment. Technical diving goes beyond those limits — deeper depths, decompression stops, specialised gas mixes, and more complex equipment such as rebreathers and sidemount configurations. RAID is one of very few agencies that teaches the full spectrum, from a first breath underwater all the way through to advanced technical, rebreather, and mixed-gas instructor training. Many RAID centres in the UK specialise in one or more technical disciplines, so whatever direction you want to take your diving, there's a pathway for you.

Costs vary depending on the course level, the dive centre, and what's included — but RAID courses are competitively priced. One significant advantage is that all RAID online learning materials are included free of charge, with no hidden manual fees or theory packages to purchase separately. Your course fee at the dive centre covers practical training, instructor time, and your certification. Entry-level courses typically start from a few hundred pounds, with technical and specialist courses priced accordingly. Contact your local RAID centre for a full breakdown.

Absolutely. Because RAID is a globally recognised agency with consistent training standards worldwide, your certification and progress are transferable. Whether you move to a new city or want to continue training while on a dive holiday abroad, any active RAID dive centre can pick up where you left off. Your digital certification record is stored online, making it easy to share your credentials with any centre, anywhere in the world.