PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)

Is the world’s largest recreational diving membership organization. The membership includes dive businesses, resort facilities, academic institutions, instructor trainers, dive educators, divers, snorkelers and other watersports enthusiasts. Professional PADI Members (dive centers, resorts, educational facilities, instructors, assistant instructors and divemasters) teach the vast majority of the world’s recreational divers, issuing more than 900,000 certifications each year. PADI Professionals make underwater exploration and adventure accessible to the public while maintaining the highest industry standards for dive training, safety and customer service. PADI is international in scope with service offices in Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. PADI Worldwide (corporate headquarters) is located in California, United States. PADI Offices serve more than 123,000 individual professional members and more than 5100 dive centers and resorts in more than 180 countries and territories.

To serve the needs of divers worldwide, translations of PADI materials are available in at least 26 languages. PADI provides members with a full range of educational materials, training aids, promotional pieces and recognition materials to conduct and market PADI programs. These materials are developed by credentialed instructional designers who use state-of-the-art technology and learning theories to produce quality products. When students successfully complete PADI courses, they receive positive identification certification cards that identify them as PADI Divers. In addition to course materials and certification cards, PADI supports members’ teaching efforts by supplying consultation services in current instructional methods and protocols.

The PADI System of diver education is based on progressive training that introduces skills, safety related information and local environmental knowledge to students in stages. PADI courses are student-centered and provide for maximum practice and application. Students learn the basics through independent study and then are guided through additional development by their instructors. The goal is to get students in the water as soon as possible and provide them with the instruction necessary to gain confidence in their diving abilities. PADI’s entry-level scuba certification is Open Water Diver. Once certified, divers can continue their education by becoming Adventure, Advanced Open Water, Specialty and Rescue Divers. Further training, such as the Divemaster and Assistant Instructor courses, allow interested divers to become dive leaders. Divers looking for scuba diving careers often choose to become PADI Instructor.