A little background history
The first divers
Diving has been practiced for thousands of years, with evidence of ancient civilizations using primitive diving techniques for fishing and pearl diving. The first recorded instance of diving for military purposes dates back to the 4th century BC, when the Greek philosopher Aristotle described the use of divers to sabotage enemy ships.
During the Renaissance, inventors and explorers began to experiment with diving equipment, such as the diving bell and the first scuba-like device, the "air-tube." In the 18th and 19th centuries, diving became an important part of underwater construction and salvage operations, with the development of diving suits and helmets that allowed divers to work at greater depths.
In the early 20th century, scuba diving as we know it today began to emerge, with the invention of the first self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) by Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan in 1943. This made it possible for divers to explore the underwater world for longer periods of time and at greater depths.
Since then, diving has become a popular recreational activity, with millions of people around the world enjoying the thrill of exploring the underwater world and observing its fascinating marine life. Diving technology continues to evolve, with advances in equipment and training making it safer and more accessible than ever before.
PADI
PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) was founded in 1966 by two friends, John Cronin and Ralph Erickson. They both shared a passion for diving and a desire to create a more accessible and safe way for people to learn how to scuba dive.
They came up with the idea of creating a standardized system of scuba diving education, with a focus on safety and quality. They developed a set of training materials and courses that could be used by diving instructors around the world.
In the early years, PADI faced some challenges and resistance from other diving organizations, who were not keen on the idea of standardization. However, PADI persevered and continued to grow in popularity, thanks to its emphasis on safety, quality, and accessibility.
In the 1980s, PADI became the largest scuba diving organization in the world, with over 50,000 members and more than 2,000 dive centers worldwide. It continued to expand its offerings, introducing new courses and training programs, such as the Open Water Diver course, which remains one of its most popular courses to this day.
Today, PADI is the largest and most recognized scuba diving organization in the world, with over 6,600 dive centers and resorts in over 180 countries. It has trained millions of divers and continues to promote safe and responsible diving practices, while also advocating for the preservation and protection of the world's oceans and marine life.
Open Water Diver
Open Water Diver certification is the most popular course offered by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). It is designed to teach beginners the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to safely and confidently dive in open water environments.
The course typically consists of three main components: knowledge development, confined water dives, and open water dives. During the knowledge development portion, students learn about diving theory, equipment, and safety procedures through online or classroom-based instruction and study.
The confined water dives take place in a pool or a shallow, calm body of water, where students learn and practice basic diving skills, such as clearing water from their mask and regulator, buoyancy control, and underwater communication.
The open water dives typically take place in a natural environment, such as a lake or the ocean, where students apply what they have learned during their confined water training. They will demonstrate their ability to perform basic diving skills, navigate underwater, and communicate effectively with their dive buddy and instructor.
Upon successful completion of the Open Water Diver course, students will receive a certification card that is recognized worldwide, allowing them to dive independently to a maximum depth of 60 feet (18 meters). They will also have the option to continue their training with advanced courses, such as the Advanced Open Water Diver course, which allows them to expand their diving skills and explore more challenging environments.
Advanced Open Water Diver
The Advanced Open Water Diver certification is the next step in scuba diving training after the Open Water Diver certification. This course builds on the foundational skills and knowledge gained in the Open Water Diver course and expands on them to help divers become more comfortable and confident in the water.
The Advanced Open Water Diver course typically consists of five adventure dives, two of which are required (deep dive and underwater navigation), and three of which are chosen by the student in consultation with the instructor.
Some of the adventure dives that are available include:
- Wreck diving
- Night diving
- Peak performance buoyancy
- Search and recovery
- Underwater photography
- Drift diving
- Fish identification
During the course, students will learn new skills and techniques related to the adventure dives they have chosen. They will also gain experience in planning and executing dives, developing better situational awareness, and working more effectively with their dive buddy.
Upon completing the course, students will receive an Advanced Open Water Diver certification card that is recognized worldwide. This certification allows divers to dive to a maximum depth of 100 feet (30 meters) and opens up a wide range of diving opportunities in different environments and conditions.
Rescue / Safety Diver
The PADI Rescue Diver course is a scuba diving certification course that teaches divers the skills and knowledge needed to perform rescues and respond to diving emergencies. It is a challenging and rewarding course that helps divers become more confident and capable in the water.
The PADI Rescue Diver course includes both classroom and in-water training. Students learn about dive emergency scenarios and how to recognize and respond to them. They also learn about diver stress, first aid, and rescue techniques.
Some of the skills that students learn during the course include:
- Responding to a distressed or unresponsive diver
- Providing assistance to a panicked diver
- Search and recovery techniques
- Managing emergency situations
- Administering first aid and oxygen to injured divers
The course is designed to challenge students both physically and mentally and requires a high level of commitment and dedication. It is recommended that students have completed the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course and have a minimum of 20 logged dives before enrolling in the Rescue Diver course.
Upon completing the course, students receive a PADI Rescue Diver certification card that is recognized worldwide. This certification allows divers to participate in more challenging dives and is often a prerequisite for entering professional dive training programs.