PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is the world’s largest recreational diving membership organization. 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.
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 – see flow chart below.
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 & PADI Staff Instructors.
PADI 5 STAR IDC Centre
The PADI 5 Star Dive Center membership level is awarded, on an annual basis, to progressive PADI Dive Centers that excel in providing dive consumers with a full range of diver education programs, equipment selection, and experience opportunities and that actively promote aquatic environmental awareness.
A PADI 5 Star Dive Center is active in its community presenting a professional image consistent with, or better than, the norm of the marketplace. These dive centers embrace the PADI System of diver education and are committed to providing customers with quality products, services and experiences.
A PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center (5 Star IDC) is a dive center that not only meets all 5 Star Dive Center standards, but also offers PADI Instructor-level training.
A PADI 5 Star IDC offers dive consumers programs to fulfill their educational goals from entry-level training up through instructor-level certifications.
PADI 5 Star IDC Dive centres are independently assessed for Quality Control ensuring standards are consistently maintained.
PADI Diver Progression Flow Chart
