Have the confidence to dive anywhere begins with a certification course led by an Authorized Instruction. Ask for the Instructor’s PADI membership number which can be checked in the PADI Pro checker
apps.padi.com/scuba-diving/pro-chek/https://apps.padi.com/scuba-diving/pro-chek/
The worldwide PADI Offices work constantly to prevent misrepresentation. Always verify the Instructor you will train under. These regulations were put in place for a reason. Having been a SCUBA diver for twenty years I have seen and experienced non–regulated instructions and leadership that had consequences that were not pleasant.
SCUBA Diving is fun. It is seriously the most enjoyable event in your life. Your lives are most important and incidences that are scary are never part of the PADI experience, which is why monitoring and regulations are put in place.
Even Introductory Dives should be done with an authorized individual. PADI started PADI Discovery Scuba Diving, a PADI introductory dive that will give you a firsthand experience of basic Scuba diving. A PADI Instructor or Discover Scuba Diving Leader should supervise it. This assures you that you will enjoy the experience rather than be confused because it was more horrific than fun.
My sister who tried a non-PADI introductory dive from an unregulated SCUBA shop in the Philippines had a miserable time with her husband who wanted to try SCUBA diving. Instead of a one-of-a-kind experience, she endured a forty-minute scuba dive with little air coming out of her regulator which caused her a lifetime of claustrophobia.
She reminded me of this experience when I became a divemaster. Told me to be mindful and keep clients safe and lead them properly. This is why we study, this is why we go through speculations and assumptions of the worst. This is why we go under the microscope and get regulated, to help us help the first timers and even the most seasoned divers keep the fun and stay aware.
When not diving, leading, or teaching, I read and reread my PADI manuals. I keep abreast of PADI news and journals and notices from regional managers. For Caution, for updates, for safeguard practices which PADI and DAN and established Schools are never lacking in keeping us up-to-date.
This post is to help you remember that your safety is of utmost importance and that with PADI, SCUBA diving is always fun and awareness is stressed out as part of our jobs, a job we love and cherish which we hope to impart to you guys. To guide you the way I love SCUBA diving.