PADI Picture Card Certification

PADI is an acronym for Professional Association of Diving Instructors. It was created in 1966 to give people valid scuba diving training so they could experience the underwater world safely and enjoyably. According to PADI, the association did not begin to experience true growth until it offered divers a PADI picture certification card. PADI is now a worldwide organization with millions of members and 5,800 PADI dive shops and resorts.

  1. Types of Certifications

    • PADI offers courses for beginners, advanced divers, and certified instructors. The majority of PADI picture card certifications are for the basic open water certification. Advanced certifications are required to dive in different locations like caves or mountain top lakes. Divers can continue to hone their skills with classes like adventure diver, rescue diver, wreck diver, and deep diver.

    Minimum Training Requirements

    • PADI open water certification is the first required certification and involves three stages for completion. The first stage involves classroom training at a PADI certified facility or online to familiarize the student with the underwater environment, equipment, and basic SCUBA principles. The second stage is a controlled dive in a pool. This allows the student to experience and use the equipment for the first time in a controlled environment. The third stage is an open water dive in a clear lake or other body of water.

    PADI Certification Benefits

    • PADI is an internationally recognized organization. Your PADI picture card certification allows you to rent equipment from certified dive shops worldwide. If you purchase personal equipment, a certified shop is the most economical means of having your tanks filled with pressurized air. Certified shops will only provide air to individuals that have a current PADI picture card certification and equipment that passes safety and maintenance checks.

    Perks of PADI Membership

    • PADI certification and membership allows divers to take part in special programs. You may join the Diver's Alert Network (DAN) for a reduced cost. This non-profit organization assists members if they have a diving-related accident. You will also have access to the PADI travel network for joining dive vacations sponsored by PADI.