There's a common misconception circulating in the diving community that only certifications from agencies affiliated with the World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC) are globally recognized. However, this claim is misleading and contradicts the reality of the diving world. In this blog, we will debunk this myth by exploring the role and representation of the WRSTC, examining the standards referenced by major certification agencies like PADI, and discussing the practical criteria used by dive professionals to assess divers' qualifications. Ultimately, we'll demonstrate that global recognition hinges on standardized training and diver competence, rather than WRSTC membership.
There has been some discussion around whether a dive certification agency must be a member of the World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC) to be globally recognized. This notion is not only misleading but also contradicts the reality of the diving world. Here’s why:
1. Who and What is the RSTC?
The Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC) originated in the United States to prevent governmental regulation of scuba diving standards and to represent these standards to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). In the early 2000s, it rebranded itself as the World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC). However, a closer look at their representation reveals that significant regions like Oceania, Central and South America, and most of Asia (except Japan) are not covered. This means WRSTC only represents about 40% of the global diving community, undermining its claim of being a global authority.
2. Do Agencies Mention WRSTC in Their Standards?
PADI, the largest provider of scuba training and certification materials, does not emphasize WRSTC membership as a criterion for recognition. A review of PADI’s website and instructor manual shows no mention of WRSTC in their training standards. Instead, PADI highlights compliance with ISO standards, which have a broader and more inclusive recognition.
- PADI Website: The page PADI Difference (https://www.padi.com/about/padi-difference) does not mention WRSTC but focuses on ISO standards compliance.
- Training Standards: Searching through the PADI instructor manual, which outlines training protocols, yields no reference to WRSTC. For instance, on page 26, regarding prerequisite certifications for dive courses, there is no mention of WRSTC.
3. Practical Reality for Dive Professionals
The majority of dive professionals are unfamiliar with WRSTC and its role. When assessing divers, reputable operators focus on the following:
- Number of dives: Experience is gauged by how many dives you’ve completed.
- Recent activity: The date of your last dive.
- Diving history: Locations where you have previously dived.
- Certification level : The type of certification (e.g., Open Water, Advanced, Deep), which dictates the depth and complexity of dives you can undertake.
Operators are equipped to verify unfamiliar certifications by checking the agency’s training protocols, which are generally standardized across the board. For example, certifications that include QR codes allow professionals to verify the specific training and skills obtained by the diver.
4. The Brand’s Role in Certification
The brand of an Open Water certification is less critical than the training standards it represents. All reputable dive agencies adhere to similar training protocols, ensuring that divers meet minimum safety and skill requirements. This uniformity allows dive professionals to recognize and accept equivalent certifications, regardless of the issuing agency and is how the industry has worked for over 60+ Years.
PRO DIVE Sydney has had a long afflilation with PADI, SSI, RAID and now ISC over the years. All of these agencies have offered ISO Complaint training material and certification to ensure broad recognition and best practice. We have moved to different agencies over our 55 years in the industry to ensure our customers get the best value and we will continue to do so. At the end of the day Dive Centres such as oursleve and its dive instructors conduct all the training of New Divers and 99% of all dive professionals with Training Agencies have no day to day involvement in this trainig. Diver Training agencies have there value in the learning experience with training material, surveying customer and a database of certification.
