World's Youngest Master Scuba Diver
By Stephan Whelan on Monday Jan 5, 2004
http://www.deeperblue.net/newsfull.php/794
On 4th January 2004, Charles Jessop (12) became the youngest ever diver in the English speaking world to qualify as a Master Scuba Diver.
On his 12th birthday in January 2004, he started a rescue skills course with Jack’s Diving Locker, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. This programme equips him to assist another diver in difficulty. By completing it, he fulfilled the final requirement to become a Master Scuba Diver – the highest level of qualification awarded by PADI, the world’s leading scuba certification agency, to non-professional divers.
He started snorkelling at the age of seven and soon progressed to scuba diving, though restricted by his age to swimming pools and shallow bays. He spent the morning of his tenth birthday learning scuba diving skills in a swimming pool and the afternoon taking theory exams. Two days later, after four training dives from a boat off the Kona Coast of Hawaii, he was certified as a diver. Though restricted to depths of 40 feet, he was tested to the same high standards as an adult.
After completing the course, Charles said:
"I’ve seen loads in two years – sharks in a feeding frenzy, wrecked boats, a massive whale shark, turtles and millions of fish both large and small. I’ve had 12 foot wide manta rays swim inches over my head. Scuba diving is a lot of fun – though the PADI Rescue Diver course was hard work. I’m looking forward to lots more diving now."
Friday, March 7, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Scuba Diving Certification Agencies
Scuba Diving Certification Agencies
From Nicholas McLaren,Your Guide to Scuba Diving.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
http://scuba.about.com/od/professionalsocieties/a/certagencies.htm
You've probably heard of PADI, SSI, NAUI and other scuba certification agencies, but if you don't know the difference between them you're in the right place.
What Does a Certification Agency Do?
In addition to providing all levels of diver training, agencies also regulate and represent diving professionals such as divemasters and dive instructors, regulate dive operators, participate in research in dive medicine, promote marine conservation, and market diving as a sport.
What is the Difference Between the Agencies?
The main difference between agencies is where they operate. Some agencies such as BSAC and CMAS are closely related to their countries of origin, while other agencies such as PADI are truly global organizations. All of the most popular agencies offer very similar courses from beginner through to professional level and will all recognize each other's qualifications at recreational level.
They may not recognize each other's qualifications at professional level.
How to Choose an Agency?
When choosing an open water course it's important to remember that all courses are quite similar and an open water certification card from any main agency will be recognized by dive operators anywhere in the world. Your choice of agency should be dictated by which agency is active where you want to learn and which agency your preferred instructor is certified by.
Which are the Biggest Agencies?
PADI has dive centers and instructors almost everywhere people dive and is the biggest agency. Some other agencies such as SSI and NAUI are also wide spread but tend to be concentrated in particular geographical areas. Below is a brief overview of the main agencies. Of course there are many other local agencies that also provide quality training and globally recognized qualifications. You can verify any agencies credentials with the World Recreational Scuba Training Council.
PADI- The Professional Association of Diving Instructors is by far the biggest and most recognized dive certification agency in the world. It's usually possible to find a PADI instructor in any diving destination and more beginning divers are certified by PADI than by all of the other agencies combined. PADI is very active in marine conservation through their Project AWARE operation, as well as being the biggest promoter of diving through advertising and sponsorship, and is also involved in technical diving training. PADI also operates Emergency First Response, an organization providing CPR and First Aid training.
SSI- Scuba Schools International's 2000 authorized dealers and 225 Regional Centers can be found in 90 countries around the world. SSI's diver education system is very similar to PADI's system. Headquartered in Colorado, USA, SSI training facilities are in particular abundance in North America and South East Asia.
NAUI- Founded in 1959 in the USA, the National Association of Underwater Instructors is one of the biggest global certification agencies. NAUI's diver education system is quite similar to SSI and PADI. NAUI has also had a technical diving division since 1997. NAUI dive centers can be found primarily in North America.
YMCA- YMCA Scuba is a division of the United States Young Men's Christian Association. Despite the name, courses are open to both men and women. The YMCA Scuba program is over 50 years old and has a very similar structure to fellow American agencies, PADI, SSI, and NAUI. YMCA centers are found almost exclusively in the USA.
BSAC- The British Sub Aqua Club was formed in the United Kingdom and is still one of the most popular agencies there. It is also possible to find BSAC training facilities in other countries, particularly those that are frequented by British divers. Known for having very high standards of training, BSAC was always known for requiring extreme levels of training to achieve certification. In recent years BSAC has implemented courses that have bought it into line with other agencies training requirements.
CMAS- Confederation Mondiale des Activites Subaquatiques is the world's oldest scuba certification agency. Originally founded in Brussels, Belgium, CMAS is now headquartered in Rome, Italy. CMAS has quite a different rating system than other agencies that is based on star levels. CMAS can be found in many countries around the world but is primarily active in Europe.
From Nicholas McLaren,Your Guide to Scuba Diving.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
http://scuba.about.com/od/professionalsocieties/a/certagencies.htm
You've probably heard of PADI, SSI, NAUI and other scuba certification agencies, but if you don't know the difference between them you're in the right place.
What Does a Certification Agency Do?
In addition to providing all levels of diver training, agencies also regulate and represent diving professionals such as divemasters and dive instructors, regulate dive operators, participate in research in dive medicine, promote marine conservation, and market diving as a sport.
What is the Difference Between the Agencies?
The main difference between agencies is where they operate. Some agencies such as BSAC and CMAS are closely related to their countries of origin, while other agencies such as PADI are truly global organizations. All of the most popular agencies offer very similar courses from beginner through to professional level and will all recognize each other's qualifications at recreational level.
They may not recognize each other's qualifications at professional level.
How to Choose an Agency?
When choosing an open water course it's important to remember that all courses are quite similar and an open water certification card from any main agency will be recognized by dive operators anywhere in the world. Your choice of agency should be dictated by which agency is active where you want to learn and which agency your preferred instructor is certified by.
Which are the Biggest Agencies?
PADI has dive centers and instructors almost everywhere people dive and is the biggest agency. Some other agencies such as SSI and NAUI are also wide spread but tend to be concentrated in particular geographical areas. Below is a brief overview of the main agencies. Of course there are many other local agencies that also provide quality training and globally recognized qualifications. You can verify any agencies credentials with the World Recreational Scuba Training Council.
PADI- The Professional Association of Diving Instructors is by far the biggest and most recognized dive certification agency in the world. It's usually possible to find a PADI instructor in any diving destination and more beginning divers are certified by PADI than by all of the other agencies combined. PADI is very active in marine conservation through their Project AWARE operation, as well as being the biggest promoter of diving through advertising and sponsorship, and is also involved in technical diving training. PADI also operates Emergency First Response, an organization providing CPR and First Aid training.
SSI- Scuba Schools International's 2000 authorized dealers and 225 Regional Centers can be found in 90 countries around the world. SSI's diver education system is very similar to PADI's system. Headquartered in Colorado, USA, SSI training facilities are in particular abundance in North America and South East Asia.
NAUI- Founded in 1959 in the USA, the National Association of Underwater Instructors is one of the biggest global certification agencies. NAUI's diver education system is quite similar to SSI and PADI. NAUI has also had a technical diving division since 1997. NAUI dive centers can be found primarily in North America.
YMCA- YMCA Scuba is a division of the United States Young Men's Christian Association. Despite the name, courses are open to both men and women. The YMCA Scuba program is over 50 years old and has a very similar structure to fellow American agencies, PADI, SSI, and NAUI. YMCA centers are found almost exclusively in the USA.
BSAC- The British Sub Aqua Club was formed in the United Kingdom and is still one of the most popular agencies there. It is also possible to find BSAC training facilities in other countries, particularly those that are frequented by British divers. Known for having very high standards of training, BSAC was always known for requiring extreme levels of training to achieve certification. In recent years BSAC has implemented courses that have bought it into line with other agencies training requirements.
CMAS- Confederation Mondiale des Activites Subaquatiques is the world's oldest scuba certification agency. Originally founded in Brussels, Belgium, CMAS is now headquartered in Rome, Italy. CMAS has quite a different rating system than other agencies that is based on star levels. CMAS can be found in many countries around the world but is primarily active in Europe.
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