PADI Diving

Dive organisations are either club-based or company based but the line can blur between the two. One dive organisation that stands out for both the right and wrong reasons is PADI. PADI's growth suprises everyone with its year in year out success. But is its domineering and powerful approach squeezing the smaller yet more unique and dynamic dive organisations out there.
In a series of weblog posts Diving Lore will discuss the various dive clubs and companies and mention their pros and cons.

PADI

Established in 1966. What began in America from a handful of scuba instructors has become the largest dive organisation on the planet. A US success story in many respects PADI trains divers at an incredible rate and many divers from all over the globe are likely to be PADI certified.

PADI's strengths are legion; easy to understand teaching and diving methods in a low pressure environment. Versitile, gradual learning curve for those starting to learn diving. Care for the marine environment and reef conservation is a cornerstone to the PADI teachings earning them much praise from environmentalist groups. In the tropics many countries economies are benefited upon by having a strong core of PADI Instructors and Divemasters catering to armies of holidaymakers eager to dive in a warmer climate. Apart from the UK and a select few European countries PADI is almost always the foremost dive shop/Resort/companies chosen affiliation.

PADI believes (almost) anyone can be a diver and takes great steps to 'spread the word of Scuba diving' to the world. One of its favoured slogans is 'Teaching the World How To Dive". While this is perhaps a noble gesture and inspires many to don aqualung to become certified divers, others disagree stating that not everyone is up to the rigours of diving. An often sited critique of PADI is that the organisation often comes across as overzealous in its marketing strategy. A common insult thrown PADIs way is 'Put-Another-dollar-In', a play of words on the PADIs Acroynm!

PADI Resort Managers and Intructor's are expected to be proficient in selling PADI products and and materials to dive customers, however this is an oft needed skill in the sometimes 'cut-throat' world of Resort diving!

Force for the diver or US dominated trademark?
You decide!
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