PADI

The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is the world's largest recreational diving membership and diver training organisation founded in 1966 by John Cronin and Ralph Erickson. Cronin was originally a NAUI instructor who decided to form his own organisation with Erickson and to break diver training down into different courses instead of the single universal course which was prevalent at that time.

PADI courses range from entry levels such as "Scuba Diver" and "Open Water Diver" to "Master Scuba Diver" and a range of instructor certifications.

The PADI system is composed of modules with standardised learning objectives divided into theory and practical skills development. Theory is mainly conveyed by way of self-study using books, CDs or online learning. All study options are supported by videos which help the student diver visualise what they have read. Confirmation of the student diver's level of mastery is carried out by a scuba instructor in standardised knowledge review sessions. Practical skills mastery is obtained through confined water training (pools or relatively shallow water) and performance evaluations in open water. Upon completion of each course, a certification is issued to the student.

PADI courses are performance-based dive programs and at the introductory level emphasise practical knowledge, safety and motor skills. The foundations of diving physics, physiology and chemistry are built during entry level programs. The more in-depth details behind these concepts are explored in later courses when the diver has gained practical knowledge and experience beyond the entry level.
www.padi.com