People who are looking to learn any kind of skill should work on the fundamentals first. This principle applies to aspiring scuba divers as well. As a beginner diver, it is important for you to get the best training in controlled environments and under the tutelage of knowledgable instructors. Whether you want to learn more about the art of diving to become an underwater photographer or a recreational diver, you’ve probably come across PADI Dive Centers in your quest to receive proper training.
PADI is short for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. This recreational diving membership and diver training organization was founded in 1966 by John Cronin, a former NAUI instructor, and his associate, Ralph Erickson. PADI encourages exploration, conservation, community-building, and of course, education in the form of recreational diver certifications.
PADI has given over 27 million divers a jumpstart with its unparalleled guidance and education since its inception. Ranging from entry-level and advanced recreational diver certifications to specialized diving skills courses, students of all skill levels have gone to PADI dive centers for continuous training.
What are the Different Kinds of PADI Dive Centers?
While looking up different PADI dive centers, you’ve probably come across those that advertize themselves as 5-Star PADI Dive Centers. Contrary to what you may think, PADI doesn’t actually have a rating system as most people think of rating systems. PADI has 5-star facilities and it has facilities with no ratings. There are no 1, 2, 3, or 4-star facilities. The 5-Star PADI rating is therefore not a rating in the truest sense of the word but is more of a designation awarded to Dive Centers that have met certain criteria.
Here’s a quick rundown of the main dive centers:
Regular PADI Dive Centers
A regular PADI Dive Center is a professional business that engages in the retail sale of recreational scuba diving equipment, diving classes, and diving services. PADI Dive Centers have demonstrated a commitment to PADI education by offering PADI scuba diving certification courses and experience programs.
PADI 5-Star Dive Centers
According to PADI’S official website, the 5-Star PADI Dive Center membership level is awarded to progressive PADI Dive Centers that excel in providing dive consumers with a full range of diver education programs, equipment selection, and experience opportunities.
5-Star PADI Dive Centers also encourage aquatic environmental awareness, remain active in their communities, and present a professional image that is consistent with, or better than, the norm in the marketplace.
Some of the key requirements of a 5-Star PADI Dive Center are as follows:
- Have renewed their PADI Dive Center membership for at least 12 months prior to application and have not committed any verified PADI Quality Assurance violations within that period; they should also have no open Quality Assurance inquiries in progress.
- Continue to meet all PADI Dive Center prerequisites and membership requirements.
- Have been awarded all three Dive Center Recognition Awards, including Education, Community Involvement, and Environment.
- Distribute regular communications pieces designed to recruit and retain customers.
- Conduct at least one PADI Advanced O/W course, one PADI Rescue Dive course, one PADI DM or AI course, and one PADI Specialty Diver course per year.
- Have issued at least 30 percent of total diver certifications for courses above the PADI O/W level.
- Display items promoting dive travel and dive experiences.
- Exclusively issue and advertize only PADI certifications for recreational scuba diving courses.
- Have not conducted, sponsored, or advertised any non-PADI recreational scuba instructor training programs.
PADI 5-Star Instructor Development Centers (5-Star IDC)
PADI 5-Star Instructor Development Centers boast the 5-Star IDC rating, which is one of the highest ratings in the PADI system. A PADI 5-Star IDC not only meets all 5-Star Dive Center standards but also offers PADI instructor-level training. PADI 5-Star IDCs display a strong commitment to developing dive professionals by providing educational programs, from entry-level through instructor training.
There are numerous scuba courses offered by PADI Five-Star Instructor Development Centers that you can choose from, depending on what you want to do as a scuba diver:
- Open Water Diver
- Adventures in Diving (Adventure Diver)
- Advanced Open Water Diver
- Rescue Diver
- Emergency First Response
- PADI Specialty Courses
- Master Scuba Diver
- Divemaster
- Assistant Instructor
- Open Water Scuba Instructor
- Master Scuba Diver Trainer
- IDC Staff Instructor
Get Certified and Explore the Deep Blue
If you have always dreamt of becoming a scuba diver, it’s never too late to start learning and broadening your expertise. There are numerous regular and 5-Star PADI Dive Centers for you to choose from. Just search for the nearest certified PADI Dive Center that fits your needs and advance in your scuba diving journey.
