Professional Association of Diving Instructors reaffirms their position as the world's trusted and largest scuba diving organisation. Mapping its presence in over 180 countries and over 30 million diver certifications, PADI continues its mission to unite a community of divers as ocean advocates across the globe through education, sustainability and purpose-driven adventure.
John Cronin and Ralph Erickson founded PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) with just USD 30. Today, the organisation has swelled into the world’s most trusted and largest scuba diving community, inspiring millions to discover and protect the ocean. The horizon of PADI carries a strength of 128,000 professionals and 6600 dive centres and resorts spanning over 180 nations. PADI stamps over 30 million certifications globally.
PADI chose India for its first diver education system in 1990. Since then, scuba diving has evolved into a thriving adventure sport. PADI spans operations across Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bengaluru, Goa, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Mumbai and Puducherry, mapping India globally in underwater exploration and marine conservation.
PADI has expanded beyond training to become a purpose-driven lifestyle brand that revolves around diver safety, education and ocean protection under the leadership of Dr Drew Richardson, President and CEO of PADI worldwide.
Richardson said, “Sixty years ago, a torch was lit, and a movement was born beneath the sea. We celebrate the spirit of adventure and purpose that connects us all to the ocean. Together, we aim to create one billion torchbearers who will discover, explore and protect our shared blue planet.”
PADI unites its local community to balance humanity’s relationship with the ocean through the Pillars of Ocean Change initiative.
Powered by PADI Aware and the PADI Foundation, the organisation has:
Powered by PADI Aware and the PADI Foundation, the organisation has:
- Supported 3,50,00+ local conservation initiatives
- Rescued 41,000 marine animals
- Protected over 100 shark and ray species
- Adopted and monitored 3,300+ dive sites across the world
- Removed 2.5 million pieces of marine debris
“Founded by divers for divers, PADI has always been about transformation- both personal and planetary,” added Dr Richardson. “Every diver we certify becomes a part of a growing global force for good, helping lift the seas and each other.”
As PADI envisions the next sixty years, it has a clear stance- to shape a million more ocean guardians.
Dr Richardson said, “ We are determined to raise and build a world where one billion people understand the ocean’s importance and act to protect it.”
