The scuba dive training industry is unregulated and operates without accountability or oversight. There is little consequence for those who kill through negligence, incompetence, or greed. PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) in particular has a reputation as a corporate behemoth built on a dangerous profit-over-safety philosophy.

Since Linnea’s death, some scuba certification bodies have made changes to training standards and safety check protocols — but these changes are limited and do not go far enough. 
 
If you are an experienced scuba diver you probably know the kinds of revisions to current standards that are necessary in order to keep divers safe:
 

• reducing unacceptably high instructor to student ratios 

• banning mixed certification classes taught by a single instructor 

• increasing unacceptably low minimum requirements to certify students as divers

• increasing unacceptably low minimum requirements for divers to become instructors (thoughtful divers who want change refer to this as the “zero to hero” mentality)

• eliminating the loophole that allows scuba instructors to self-certify (aka the ‘honor system’) that they are qualified to teach various classes

• require all certification agencies to make their training standards public and easily accessible, allowing prospective students to know what they should prepare for, expect, or be concerned about. This applies to all training agencies, but especially PADI. 

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Contact the following people to demand the above changes to existing standards: 

1) Your elected representatives, both state and federal 
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2) Drew Richardson, CEO 
     Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI)
     30151 Tomas
     Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 USA 
    Phone: +1 949 858 7234 

3) Cliff Richardson, CEO
    Diver’s Action Network (DAN)
    6 West Colony Place
    Durham, North Carolina 27705 USA
    Phone: +1 919-684-2948

    Email: crichardson@dan.org