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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 nearly 946,000 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 100,000 individual professional members and more than 4300 dive centers and resorts in more than 175 countries. To serve the needs of divers worldwide, translations of PADI materials are available in more than 20 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 state of the art instructional system design theory, and 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 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 most often choose to become PADI Instructors.

The PADI Instructor Development program sets the industry standard for instructor training. Through a comprehensive curriculum, dive leaders build upon their supervisory skills and learn to teach PADI courses. Each new PADI Instructor has demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the PADI System and the ability to conduct PADI programs by meeting specific evaluation criteria during a PADI Instructor Examination (IE). PADI Instructor Development programs may only be conducted by qualified PADI Course Directors. Course Directors are experienced Master Instructors who have received training and gained experience in conducting instructor development programs. PADI Instructor Examinations are conducted by a select group of Instructor Examiners, who ensure that the evaluation process is objective and consistent.

All PADI programs, entry-level through instructor training, fall under strict educational standards to maintain worldwide consistency and quality. PADI takes a proactive approach to quality assurance, with a full-time department that randomly surveys PADI Divers to monitor PADI programs and to confirm that PADI courses meet PADI’s high standards. This commitment to a strong quality assurance process helps maintain credibility and continually improve customer satisfaction.

To keep PADI Members up-to-date on important dive issues, safety, training techniques, and business information, PADI publishes a magazine and various newsletters. The Undersea Journal (a magazine for dive industry professionals) features information regarding diver education, safety standards, dive retailing, travel, industry news, science and the environment. PADI Members also receive special bulletins and newsletters, such as the CEO Report, with information regarding PADI’s stance on dive industry issues. Assisting and Divemastering, a newsletter with information and ideas for PADI Assistant Instructors and Divemasters, is mailed with The Undersea Journal. Published quarterly, the Instructor Development Newsletter and Training Bulletin allow members to stay abreast of important training and education changes and issues. The Business of Diving is a newsletter dedicated to the specific needs of PADI Dive Centers and Resorts. PADI Offices also publish regional newsletters and bulletins that keep PADI Members informed on a local level.

In addition to member publications, PADI publishes Dive Traveler, the official resort guide of the PADI Travel Network. The Dive Traveler informs divers about PADI Travel Network services and holiday opportunities at PADI Network Resorts worldwide.

Sport Diver: The official publication of the PADI Diving Society is distributed to PADI Diving Society members in the United States, a different magazine, also called Sport Diver is distributed to members in the United Kingdom. These magazines cover the people, places and events that make up the diving lifestyle and encourage readers to seek the assistance of PADI professionals to meet their diving needs.

PADI Web Services maintains a web site that features interesting topics for everyone from the nondiver to the PADI professional. The public can find information on current events, learning to dive or continuing diver education with a PADI Dive Center or Resort. PADI Members can access training updates, job placement information and other membership news. Web visitors can also view various diving related sites linked to the PADI web site.

To assist PADI Members grow both personally and professionally, PADI conducts annual seminars that cover various educational, marketing and risk management topics. PADI also offers sales training and business development programs. Each year PADI staff attend advisory meetings and member forums to discuss local issues and supply participants with information regarding current trends in diving. PADI Regional Managers visit PADI Dive Centers and Resorts to consult with members regarding sales, merchandising, marketing and staff training. Retailers and resort operators also have access to a variety of business services through the PADI Retail Association and the PADI International Resort Association.

As PADI Members, both individuals and dive businesses can obtain professional liability as well as several other types of business insurance policies. PADI maintains a staff of professionals who address legal, insurance and legislative issues that affect PADI Members and diving in general. PADI is also involved in developing national and international dive community minimum training standards. With the assistance of legal advisors and interaction with other organizations, PADI represents the interests of members and divers in the community and before governments.

With thousands of members and millions of divers, PADI-sponsored programs are becoming a growing force in the worldwide effort to preserve the underwater environment. Project AWARE (Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility and Education) encompasses PADI’s environmental awareness and protection philosophy. Through their training, PADI Divers learn the importance of protecting fragile aquatic ecosystems and are encouraged to become involved in preservation efforts.