PADI stands for Professional Association of Diving Instructors. The organization is the most important dedicated to scuba divers training. John Cronin from Illinois, who was a U.S. Scuba Equipment Salesman, established the organization fifty years ago. Both divers, and Ralph Erickson (a former lifeguard, coach in water polo, champion swimmer and water polo coach). Both men were concerned about the current state of scuba diving instruction and wanted to make it better.
PADI is one of the most important dive organizations in the world.
The largest scuba diving organization in the world, PADI offers certification courses for a variety of diving specialties and technical qualifications. Over 25 million scuba certifications were issued by PADI in 2017 alone. Scuba Schools International (SSI) is another scuba diving organisation. Robert Clark, its founder revolutionized the world of scuba diving by creating a standardized teaching program. SSI was, in fact, the first organization to implement a full teaching curriculum with full motion video.
PADI began in Niles and Morton Grove (Illinois) where the first meetings took place. Cronin eventually refinished his basement and made it the company's headquarters. Cronin also hired a neighbor as a secretary, and his son Brian to stuff envelopes. The founders started offering specialty diver courses when the organization grew. In the 1960s, there were 400 members of the organization.
It offers professional-level scuba dive courses
PADI's professional level courses in scuba diving are a popular choice for those who have been passionate about scuba diving for many years. What does this certification actually mean? If you are considering a career shift, you might consider the PADI Professional Level program. You should consider this course because of several reasons. Learn more about the benefits of a PADI Scuba Diving certification below.
PADI and SSI offer courses both for recreational and professional purposes. Both courses are flexible, so students can learn at their own pace. PADI requires that students pay for manuals. SSI students can borrow them from the instructor when they register for the course. Both provide searchable databases and online manuals. PADI requires that students buy actual cards. It's ultimately up to you to decide which one will work best for your needs.
There are many dive centers and resorts.
Divers can enjoy the best diving experiences at PADI Dive Centers or Resorts around the globe. These centers adhere to all international health guidelines, local ordinances, and offer training at very affordable prices. To locate a dive shop near to you, you can use our dive shop locator. To see availability, you can also look at the online calendars for dive shops if you've already booked your next vacation.
PADI is an international private company with offices in Australia and Canada. PADI has over 6,600 dive centres and more than 128,000 members. PADI issues nearly 1 million certifications per year and is responsible for over 29 million global divers. PADI promotes exploration of the ocean through education, safety and adventure. The organization promotes environmental consciousness. By providing these experiences, the organization helps inspire people from all walks of life to explore and protect the ocean.