National Geographic Dive Centre – What is it?

PADI joined with National Geographic, to jointly create the National Geographic Diver program. They both have the common goal of encouraging public interest in recreational diving worldwide and exposing people to the underwater environment to help them gain a better appreciation of this new world.

Who can teach the National Geographic Diver Certification Course?

PADI National Geographic Programs is only offered through PADI 5 * Dive Centres and Gold Palm Resorts throughout the world that qualify as PADI National Geographic Dive Centres.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand Eco Phuket

PADI Instructors working for these centres are the only ones eligible to teach these courses, it is a Certification awarded to the Dive Centre not the Individual Instructor.

What is the difference between the National Geographic Diver Certification and the PADI Open Water Diver Certification?

As a National Geographic Diver,  you have all the qualifications of a PADI Open Water Diver plus additional knowledge that broadens your awareness of the underwater environment and new skills to better explore underwater. The PADI Open Water Diver course is the foundation for the National Geographic Diver program.

What does the National Geographic Diver Program Include?

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand Eco Phuket

The National Geographic Diver program allows you to become a scuba diver or, if you are already, the opportunity to increase your diving skills. The program promotes adventure, discovery, exploration, and conservation. Along with learning dive skills and mastering safety information, you will complete a Knowledge Review based on information gained by reading  the National Geographic Diver Almanac and watching the DVD. Once in the Open Water you will demonstrate the ability to hover in at least three different positions. Also, you will take part in an Exploration Project that includes gathering information and creating a visual representation of the dive site detailing specific features. You will also practice navigating a square or rectangle pattern using a compass and natural references or take part in an aquatic life identification exercise.

 What recognition does a National Geographic Diver get?

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand Eco Phuket

You’ll receive a distinctive National Geographic Diver certification card. This card signifies that you have completed the program’s knowledge and skill requirements, joining an elite group of divers. You will show this certification card any time you need dive services as you travel around seeking new dive adventures.

How does the National Geographic Diver Program support aquatic education and conservation of underwater environments?

All of National Geographic’s net proceeds from the PADI National Geographic Diver program will support exploration, conservation, research, and education. National Geographic supports a wide array of aquatic initiatives, including expeditions to reveal and share unique underwater environments around the globe. Other projects will include preservation of national marine sanctuaries and protection of endangered aquatic animals and plants.

Project AWARE, in conjunction with PADI, introduces many divers and non-divers each year to aquatic conservation and environmental issues. The National Geographic Diver program further encourages understanding of and respect for the underwater world’s delicate ecosystems.

 

What are you waiting for…. become a National Geographic Diver today

Underwater Clean-up June 17th 2012

This month is the 5th Anniversary of Scuba Cat Diving having new ownership.

We have a great Anniversary present for all our customers and so we though we would also do something to help the environment at this special time for us.

So 17th June we will be holding an Underwater Cleanup at Racha Yai Island, all are welcome to join us that day.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand

April 2011

Why 17th June?

This date was chosen to coincide with another 5th Anniversary happening at that time.

The Concordia International School, Shanghai (CISS), Reef Check Charter which started in 2008.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand Underwater Clean Up

This will be their final day on board MV Scuba Adventure and also be joining us to undertake the clean up before we come back to shore for the Celebration BBQ on our roof top terrace in Patong.

CISS have been conducting Reefcheck Charter’s onboard MV Scuba Cat and MV Scuba Adventure Liveaboards studying the Reef and comparing the results annually, so they can look at the current condition of the reef compared to the results from previous years.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand CISS Reefcheck Charter

Ranging in age from 12 to 15, these amazing young students collect scientific data along 100 m of Coral reef. After submitting the data to Reef Check, it is added to their data base and shared with scientists and educators worldwide.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand CISS Reefcheck Charter

The students spend 8 days on board diving three to four times taking many courses, this years include PADI Open Water, PADI Advanced Open Water, PADI Specialities (Nitrox, Equipment, Wreck, PPB, Drift and Search and Recover) and off course the Reef Check Course with many hours being dedicated to the all important Data Collection.

These young global ambassadors  prove that young people really care about the planet on which they live and the creatures with which they interact.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand CISS Reefcheck Charter

This years charter started this morning, the students arrived in Patong at 6.00pm last night chattering excitedly about the PADI Courses and Reef Checks ahead of them. After breakfast this morning they departed for the 5th Year at Racha Yai……

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand CISS Reefcheck Charter

Scuba Cat Diving would especially like to thank the following people: Terry Umphenour (The founder of this Program) Joel Klammer (PADI/Reefcheck Instructor), Paul Adams (PADI/Reefcheck Instructor) Professor Suchana Apple Chavanich, Ph.D. from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok plus the many others who have helped out during the years including Colette Vroom, Dennis Adams, Renee Robins, Phil Lineker, Margaret McCoy, Gerry Richards, Kathryn Ridley and Mood.

Now we hope other students will follow and, hopefully, help save the Earth’s fragile reef systems for future generations. If you would like to see this same program in your school, please ask your school to contact us or contact us to find out how you can be involved.

Scuba Cat Diving IDC – February 2012

Places are still available for the  Instructor Development Course (IDC) scheduled to start on 5th February 2012 at Scuba Cat Diving, Phuket, Thailand.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand February 2012 PADI IDC

We are pleased to announce that we have won our first award of 2012, the PADI Green Star Award for our dedication to environmentally responsible business practices and commitment to conservation of underwater habitats. We are the only Dive Centre in Thailand to gain this award to date.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI Green Star Award

"The first in Thailand"

 

Our dedicated  team of PADI Professionals will be there to support you from the moment you arrive at Scuba Cat to the moment you leave. Sarah Kench, PADI Course Director will be available to you throughout your IDC assisted by Sean Porter, PADI Master Instructor, between them they are two of the most experienced and diverse PADI Professionals on the Island.

Scuba Cat Diving is the only DDI (Disabled Divers International) Instructor Training Centre in Asia and Sarah is the only DDI Instructor Trainer  in this rewarding Certification.

Scuba Cat Diving Phuket Thailand PADI 5 * CDC

This could be you.............

 

 

The Scuba Cat IDC has been developed to make our candidates well-rounded PADI Instructors who can work anywhere in the world.

If you wanted to be part of this , what are you waiting for come and join us….