PADI (Proffessional Association of Diving Instructors) is the world's leading diving organization with more than forty years of tradition. It was founded by diving instructors John Cronin and Ralph Erickson in 1966. PADI today is represented by over 136,000 professional members and 6,200 PADI centers and resorts. It offers PADI diving courses for all categories of divers, from complete beginners to professional categories, such as "DIVEMASTER" and diving instructor. Under the brand PADI TecRec it offers a wide range of technical courses.
PADI system consists of individual modules with standardized learning objectives in delivering both theoretical and practical content. When an individual masters both he receives an adequate internationally valid diving card.