Scuba Associations
PADI
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
Established since 1966
Purpose – Developed easy to follow programs that encourage the general public to take an interest in recreational diving and snorkelling on a worldwide basis.
Motto – The way the world learns to dive!
Headquarters – California, USA
Founders – John Cronin and Ralph Erickson
CEO – Drew Richardson
Global
In 1966 two friends bought a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black label and decided it was time to start a scuba training organisation! They sat down to few scotches and the acronym PADI was established!
PADI works hard to be the best partner to its members and is committed to:
1. Safe and responsible diver acquisition and retention
2. Quality member acquisition and retention
3. Financial prosperity
4. Worldwide alignment in message, products, systems and procedures
Padi strives to be the worlds most respected and successful organisation in recreational scuba diving and snorkelling Padi is committed to product and service excellence
Webpage – http://www.padi.com/
BSAC
British Sub-Aqua Club
Established – 1953
Purpose – Recreational diving – Training
Motto – Dive with Friends
Headquarters- UK
Founders – Oscar Gugen – Peter Small – Mary Small – Trevor Hampton
CEO Mary Tetley
Global
Run by divers for divers
The BSAC has offered 2 separate training schemes since the 1950s – the Diver Training Programme for scuba diving and the Snorkeler Training Programme for snorkelling.
BSAC is unusual for a diver training agency in that most BSAC instructors are amateurs operating in diving clubs as opposed to professionals operating in diving schools.
Given that UK waters are relatively cold and have restricted visibility, BSAC training is regarded by its members as more comprehensive than some. Specifically it places emphasis on rescue training very early in the programme.
Webpage – http://www.bsac.com
CMAS
Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques
Established – 1959
Purpose – underwater sports and sciences and diver training
Motto – Quality in Diving
Headquarters – Rome Italy
Founders – one of the founders Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Leader – Achille Ferrero
Global
Its English name is known as “The World Underwater Federation” comprises over 130 federations, In addition to organizing international underwater sport events it is at the forefront of technical and scientific research and development.
It is one of the worlds oldest
CMAS itself does not provide training or conduct the issuing of certifications – this is available from two sources. Firstly, from national diving federations affiliated to the CMAS Technical Committee using their member diving clubs, their member instructors where the federation is exclusively an instructor organisation or by agreement with independent underwater diving training organizations operating in the countries where those federations are based
Webpage –http://www.cmas.org
NAUI
The National Association of Underwater Instructors
Established – 1959
Purpose – Diver Training
Motto – Dive safely through education
Headquarters – Florida
Founders – Albert Tillman and Neal Hess
President – Jim Bram
Global
Naui worldwide is an international non- profit training agency
NAUI is not only history it is also the future. NAUI is its members. Our Association will continue to grow as we promote “Dive Safety through Education”. NAUI members are known and respected all across the industry for the quality of their teaching, concern for the individual student, and safety awareness. Even as we grow, we remain a real association of members who share common values and a trust in one another’s commitment to our motto.
NAUI sanctioned Nitrox training in 1992 – the first recreational training agency to do so – continuing to innovate in support of its members and in the interest of diving safety
Webpage – http://www.naui.org
SSA
Scottish Sub-Aqua Club
Established -1953
Purpose – Diver Training services and advocacy
Headquarters – Scotland
Chairman – Iain Graham
Where – Scotland Northern England
“Want to experience the underwater world; explore shipwrecks, and exciting scenery? The coastline of Scotland offers divers some of the most exciting diving in the world.”
The Scottish Sub Aqua Club is the National Governing Body for the sport of diving in Scotland
The Scottish Sub Aqua Club is governed by the Board of Directors, elected by the Membership and responsible for the legal governance of the company. Each individual Branch is governed by its Branch Committee
Dec 2006 completed the move to make a company limited by guarantee this process was the result of several years of effort by the General Committee and support from Sportscotland
The SSAC training schedule offers three diver grade awards; Sport Diver, Master Diver and First Class Diver and three instructor grade awards; Branch, Regional and Examiner.
Webpage – http://www.scotsac.com
SDI
SDI Scuba Diving International
Established – 1999
Purpose – Underwater Diver Training
Headquarters – Florida, USA
President Brian Carney
Global
Sister organisations are TDI {technical diving international} and ERDI emergency response diving international
SDI’s philosophy is to take recreational scuba diving to new levels, enhancing older – maybe even out-dated – diving practices by incorporating new diving technology and emphasizing safety
Both students and instructors have embraced the no nonsense approach that the SDI training system offers. We have streamlined the course materials to let students study the essential academics with an emphasis on practical diving skills learned in both the pool and open water environments. SDI is the only scuba training and certification agency to require students to be taught with modern dive computers from the onset of training.
Webpage – http://www.tdisdi.com
SSI
Scuba schools International
Established – 1970
Purpose – diving education that specializes in business support for dive businesses
Motto- Serious Diving, Serious Fun!
Headquarters – Colorado
Founders – Robert Clark
CE0 – Doug McNeese
Global
it is a Retail based organization
Scuba Schools International grew out of the passion of a few avid divers who were intent on making it possible for anyone to learn how to scuba dive.
It is the largest school based training agency in the world. In the spring of 1999, SSI merged with the National Association of Scuba Diving Schools (NASDS founded in 1967) and created a new synergy in the dive industry. The sales and marketing expertise of NASDS, when joined with the renowned educational products of SSI, created a stronger company that is in a better position to serve Dive Canters & Dive Resorts, Dive Professionals and Instructors, and ultimately you, the divers. Together, SSI and NASDS are responsible for a remarkable list of innovations and consequently have been recognized with the highest honours in the diving industry. Some of our most noteworthy accomplishments include:
First to require open water classes for certification. First integrated teaching systems.
First to require six open water dives for certification. Created a sales and marketing program to benefit retailers.
First to require visual inspections of cylinders. Introduced a buoyancy compensator device.
First to introduce an alternate second-stage. First full-motion video training system.
Development of an equipment inspection program. Development of the Risk Awareness system.
First to develop a Total Dive Log and complete Recognition System. First to develop a Global Online Divers Network System.
Global ISO Certification
In 1999, NASDS – The National Association of Scuba Diving Schools – merged with SSI
Celebrated it 40th anniversary in 2010
Webpage – http://www.divessi.com
ITDA
International Technical Diving Agency
Established – 1999
Purpose – unique training and Certification Agency owned and operated by Diving Professionals for Diving Professionals, meeting the Highest International Standards and Safety Requirements Sports & Recreational Diving, Advanced Diver Training, Public Safety Diving and Professional / Occupational Diving.
Motto – we truly are a Global Organization
Headquarters – Malaysia
CEO – Steve Murray
Global
British owned business with registered offices in several places such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, United Kingdom and Europe
2008, UK ITDA operations and Merged with the newly formed “ITDA Europe Ltd.” And in 2009 we moved our HQ administration to Malaysia
2011 Reformed the UK ITDA “International Technical Diving Agency Ltd
They are the ONLY training and certification agency in the diving industry to cover / offer, every aspect of diver training, from recreational diving novice (Entry Level Scuba) programs, to Technical Diving, Medical Training and Occupational / Commercial & Public Safety, Services and Professional diver training in the world.
Webpage – http://www.diveitda.com
ANDI
American Nitrox Divers International
Established – 1988
Purpose – recreational and technical diving
Motto original motto was “the leaders in optimal breathing gas technologies”ANDI now – International – Dive The Future®
Headquarters’ / Contact – NEW YORK
Founder’s Ed Betts and Dick Rutkowski
CEO – E Betts
Global
It is one of the world’s fastest growing diver training agencies. ANDI began by specializing in training programs for Enriched Air Nitrox ( SafeAir ) diving. As a natural evolution from SafeAir®, ANDI developed training programs for what has now become known as Technical diving and Closed Circuit Rebreather systems.
“We will be known for our high standards, integrity, reliability and the entrepreneurial growth opportunities we create within a participatory culture, so that members, staff and divers may fulfill their highest potential, and be rewarded for their affiliation with ANDI and its core values”
“SafeAir” is ANDI’s term of art for breathing mixtures with extra oxygen added that are commonly known as nitrox or Enriched Air Nitrox
Also the highest and most defendable standards in the industry, ANDI strives to support the local facility and instructor. Sure, some agencies say they support the facility but few go out of their way to do so in their instructional materials.
ANDI DOES have a standard, ANDI does require that EVERYONE measure up to that standard and the only way we can possibly provide the tools and measure the individual is to ask that instructors be evaluated
Webpage – http://www.andihq.com/
GUE
Global Underwater Explorers
Established – 1998
Purpose – Research exploration science and education recreational technical and cave diving
Headquarters High Springs, Florida
Founders – Jarrod Jablonski
President – Jarrod Jablonski –
Global
Non-profit organization
Global Underwater Explorers emerged out of a shared desire to safely explore and protect the underwater world and to improve the quality off education and research in all things aquatic. In line with the original vision of its founding members, GUE is committed to:
Developing safe, skilled, and knowledgeable divers Undertaking and promoting underwater research Pursuing global underwater exploration Safeguarding the integrity of the underwater world giving the public a complete source on all things aquatic.
Working to redefine the ties binding the average underwater enthusiast to underwater explorers, conservationists and scientific researchers, GUE is committed to the overall goal of promoting the interests of the underwater world and of those who seek to engage it
Amongst the diving community GUE is recognised for a arduous style of training that separates from other diver training organizations and seeks to form high levels of diver proficiency by extending training time, establishing objective performance criteria and requiring requalification among its instructors and divers
GUE and its connected projects are accountable for conducting some of the world’s most amazing dives, making numerous world records.
Webpage – http://www.gue.com/
IANTD
International Association of Nitrox and Technical Dive
Established – 1985
Purpose – underwater diver training
Motto – leader in diver education
Headquarters – Joseph st Rapid city SD
Key people – Dick Rutkowski – Tom Mount
CEO -Tom Mount
Global
Former name of International Association of Nitrox Divers (IAND)
European Association of Technical Divers (EATD)
“To understand the opportunities and challenges of Nitrox, advanced and technical diving, in order to foster openness, individual responsibilities, and provide a standard of care for instruction in the diving community.
Can give training in cave diving – rebreather and diver leadership – recreational diving, – technical diving – wreck diving
A forerunner in the introduction of Enriched Air Nitrox diving to the recreational diving community.
Established as first program to offer certification in Enriched Air Nitrox
Webpage – http://www.iantd.com/
NASE
The National Academy of Scuba Educators (NASE)
Established – 1982
Purpose – scuba training organization to draw its extensive experience from the fields of commercial, recreational, technical and cave diver training
Aim – “Our goal is nothing less than to fundamentally change the way people learn and dive.”
Headquarters – Florida
Founders – It was the idea of a group of scuba diving supporters and business experts who acknowledged a different attitude to scuba diver certification agencies and their business practices.
President – Darwin Rice
Executive Director – Scott Evans
Global
NASE’s training philosophy is based on four fundamental principles: Make it real, make it Thorough, Make it Environmentally Responsible, and Make it Fun.
NASE Worldwide is dedicated to providing dive professionals state-of-the-art teaching materials, programs and leadership as the new standard of quality.
NASE Worldwide is a division of the CDA Training Group which is based out of Jacksonville, Florid
The National Academy of Scuba Educators (NASE Worldwide) is a training organization that provides state-of-the-art teaching materials, programs and leadership to scuba diving professionals around the world.
“NASE Worldwide has continued to make progress and has entered into a new era of diver education and diver training. As part of a larger whole, NASE Worldwide will continue developing programs and materials that are second to none and to provide members unparalleled support. The new wave is here.”
NASE’s parent company, Commercial Diving Academy, is the world’s largest commercial diving school.
A brief history of CDA Technical Institute (CDA), formerly Commercial Diving Academy
Gulf Coast Commercial Diving Academy was established in 1995, in Orange Beach, Alabama, in order to provide training and employable skills in the profession of commercial diving.
The school was established by Ray Black in answer to the need for trained commercial divers and the rare-existence of schools of this type. CDA is the realization of his dream of sharing his 15 years of experience and training with others.
Webpage – www.naseworldwide.org
PSAI
The Professional Scuba Association International
Established – 1962
Purpose – Technical diving and extended courses – wreck diving – sport diving courses – re-breather programs – Cave diving
Description – “What distinguishes PSAI from everyone else – Quality “
Headquarters- Sand point MI – USA
Founders – Hal watts
CEO – Hal watts
Global
The Professional Scuba Association International is oldest technical and extended range scuba certification agencies in the world.
PSAI was the first agency to offer certification at the diver and instructor levels in both recreational sport and technical diving, almost three decades before anyone else.
PSAI was first founded in 1962 as Florida Divers Supply
In 1969 the name was changed to Florida State Skin diving Schools. FSSS at the time was one of the largest dive schools in the world.
It was as FSSS where the Golden Triangle originated and later evolved into the PSAI logo used today.
1998 the name was again changed to the Professional Scuba Association as the business started to grow so much that in 1995 the “I” was added to PSA to make it the Professional Scuba Association, International
Hal Watts came up with the idea of the octopus regulator (safe 2nd).
Hal Watts coined the phrase: “Plan your dive. ~ Dive your plan.”
The first agency to require power inflated Buoyancy Control Devices and submersible pressure gauges
The first agency to teach technical – extended range diving courses.
The only agency which teaches Narcosis Management®.
The only agency providing training for divers breathing air to 240 feet (73 meters).
One of the first certification agencies to issue Cave Diver certification cards in 1963.
Hal Watts authored the first extended range diver and instructor manuals.
Executive Chairman Gary Taylor authored some of the very first recreational sport and technical diving specialty manuals.
Hal Watts and PSAI Executive Chairman Gary Taylor are both Platinum Pro Award recipients with over 10,000 dives each.
They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2012
Webpage – www.psai.com
TDI
Technical Diving International
Established -1993
Purpose – Scuba diver and instructor training and certification
Motto – the most trusted training for explorers
Headquarters – 1321 SE Decker Ave
Stuart, FL 34994
Founders -Bret Gilliam – David Sipperly – Mitch Skaggs
People in the know – Bret Gilliam – David Sipperly – Mitch Skaggs
Global
TDI is the largest technical certification agency in the world. As one of the first agencies to provide training in mixed gas diving and rebreathers, TDI is seen as an innovator of new diving techniques and programs which previously were not available to the general public
Affiliated- SDI – ERDI
Webpage – www.tdisdi.com/wpsite/