PADI is the world’s leading scuba diving organisation, with over 5300 shops and resorts worldwide.  Any country you care to visit, chances are, there  is a PADI centre there (unless there is no sea or lakes in that country!).  PADI’s primary objectives are to educate divers from entry level through to instructor, and provide all levels with further experience through diving at a centre near your home or at tropical destinations throughout the world.  They also value environmental conservation, working with organisations such as Project AWARE Foundation (a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving underwater environments through education, advocacy and action) and the National Geographic Society.

Courses and Qualifications

Here is a handy table that PADI has put together to show you the courses and progression through the qualifications: (click on it to open a readable version!)

A relatively recent addition to their course offerings are online learning for PADI Open Water and PADI Advanced Open Water.  This allows you to do all the theory work from home, before you go away on holiday.  That way, you can spend more time in the water, and less time in the classroom.  If you want to find out more about this, click here.

If you would like to learn more about PADI, their website is:  www.padi.com

About the Author: Elyse hopes to be an instructor soon, but until then she will write articles and visit as many different dive destinations in the world as possible. She is currently living in Malta, and loving the new diving on offer.

To steal a paragraph from their website:

We are the UK’s leading dive club and the sport’s National Governing Body, providing an internationally-recognised diver training and development programme via a network of clubs and centres across the country and overseas.

They formed in 1953, and their primary role is to promote safe diving practices within the UK, as they are also the National Governing Body for Underwater Activities.  There are BSAC courses for the whole range of divers, from beginner to advanced:

Ocean Diver
This course provides the essential knowledge and skills needed to prepare for open water diving. The Ocean Diver course prepares for this in the safety of a swimming pool or sheltered water and an introduction to open water in a controlled, safe manner. Experience and confidence will be gained under the guidance of a qualified instructor. Maximum depth – 20m.

Sports Diver
Sports Diver training builds a sound foundation of open water diving skills and experience with structured, practical lessons. Qualified Sports Divers are ready to take part in dives with other Sports Divers or higher. Depth can be built progressively to a maximum of 35m after qualfying.
Sports Divers can embark on the first stage of the route of instruction.

Dive Leader
Dive Leader training covers responsibilities and safety of leading other divers. Practical lessons will give divers confidence to deal with emergencies. Leading a dive will develop enjoyment, confidence and experience as a diver.
Depth can be built progressively to a maximum of 50m after qualfying.
Dive Leaders are eligible to progress to Open Water Instructor.

Advanced Diver
The Advanced Diver course further develops knowledge and skills. Divers gain experience in planning dives at different sites and different circumstances. Additional experience will be gained in using small boats, chartwork. navigation and many other related skills. BSAC consider this grade as being a fully trained diver.
Advanced Divers are eligible to progress to Advanced Instructo

First Class Diver
BSAC’s highest diving grade which requires a higher than average level of theoretical knowledge, organisational and personal diving skills. BSAC First Class Divers are assessed through nationally conducted examinations.

You can find your nearest club by clicking here

About the Author: Elyse hopes to be an instructor soon, but until then she will write articles and visit as many different dive destinations in the world as possible. She is currently living in Malta, and loving the new diving on offer.