Recreational scuba diving does not have a
centralized certifying or regulatory agency, and is mostly
self regulated. There are, however, several large diving organizations
that train and certify divers and dive instructors, and many
diving related sales and rental outlets require proof of diver
certification from one of these organizations prior to selling
or renting certain diving products or services.
The largest international certification agencies that are
currently recognized by most diving outlets for diver certification
include:
1. American Canadian Underwater
Certifications (ACUC) (formerly Association of Canadian Underwater
Councils) – originated in Canada in 1969 and expanded
internationally in 1984
2. British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) – based in the United
Kingdom, founded in 1953 and is the largest dive club in the
world
3. European Committee of Professional Diving Instructors
(CEDIP) based in Europe since 1992 (see Cedip on French Wiki
pages)
4. Confédération Mondiale des Activités
Subaquatiques (CMAS), the World Underwater Federation
5. National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI)
– based in the United States
6. Professional Diving Instructors Corporation (PDIC) –
based in the United States
7. Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
– based in the United States, largest recreational dive
training and certification organization in the world
8. Scottish Sub Aqua Club (SSAC or ScotSAC) the National
Governing Body for the sport of diving in Scotland.
9. International Training SDI, TDI & ERDi -based in the
United States, TDI is the world's largest technical diving
agency, SDI is the recreational division focusing on new methods
and online courses, and ERDi is the public safety component.
10. Scuba Schools International (SSI) – based in the
United States with 35 Regional Centers and Area Offices around
the globe.
11. YMCA scuba – based in the U.S., part of Young Men's
Christian Association (YMCA), a Christian related organization
(open to all faiths, ages and genders despite the historic
name) |
