Who Certifies the Scuba Organizations?

[jonCHT]

How does PADI,NAUI,SSI,SDI get certified to be an agency? What agency certifies them?

[samdive]

PADI courses are recognised by CEN (Central European Norm) and shortly will also be recognised by ISO (International Standards Organisation)

Not sure about the others

[jonCHT]

Sam
Let's pretend I wanted to start my own Scuba Organization that has Instructors and they certify new students...So..who needs to OK me? Where do I apply? Do you know...?

[samdive]

It will depend on local law in your country - you'd need to ask a sports lawyer where you live. You'd also need to get insured which might be very difficult through a non-recognised, non-established agency - not to mention sell the courses which would be even harder if no one recognised your certifications!

[Jon]

Getting insured should be one of the first steps- especially for anything done in the US.

Also, all of the orignizaions have met some of the same basic critera- set up through the RSTC. That means no matter who teaches your openwater course you must learn certain things- like not to hold your breath and how to clear a mask. There are other basic standards that they all must meet, and they get to branch out from there.

Jon

[HawaiiDivers]

1st there is no LAW that states you must be certified to go scuba diving...
The industry is self policed in that we will not rent gear sell gear or fill tanks without proof that you have completed course in Diving education and skills of Diving..
There are alot of agencys out there why would you want to start your own??
Yes the RSTC is a member basewd group of PDIC,SSI,IDEA,YMCA,Naui and ??? but not padi they dropped out because did not want to follow guide lines of RSCT and so they are no longer member or they may rejoin????

[jonCHT]

Thank you....
Actually I considering starting my own Scuba Organization. I can see from what each has to offer..the is room for one more....

[HUTS]

Originally Posted by jonCHT

Thank you....
Actually I considering starting my own Scuba Organization. I can see from what each has to offer..the is room for one more....

Well things are not as easy as they may seem.

First of all different set of standards apply to different places even in Europe.


For example in UK you have to be certified according to the Health and Safety Standrards. In other places you have to apply for certification to an MLA compliant standardization agency and of course the European Underwater Federation.


Those are just two examples of what is going on. If you are interested in operating then i suggest you read those.

http://www.huts.gr/Andi.htm

http://www.huts.gr/PADI.htm

http://www.huts.gr/Celebrations.htm

[HawaiiDivers]

HUTS what is this????

[HUTS]

Originally Posted by HawaiiDivers

HUTS what is this????

Its an acronym for Hellenic Underwater Times (Independend non profit) english speaking (well mainly) e-magazine regarding the promotion of scubadiving in Greece.