Join NAUI: National Association of Underwater Instructors and become a member

Have you ever heard about the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI)? It is all about thousands of people for whom scuba diving is not just a hobby, but a passion. It is a noble purpose shared by those people who first formed NAUI. This history was build through hard work and perseverance, the conflict and resolution, and ultimately, the triumph of philosophy "Dive Safety Through Education."

NAUI History

The modern diving era in North America traces its beginning to 1448 when Jacques-Yves Cousteau convinced Rene Bussoz (of Rense's Sporting Goods in Westwood, California) to import self-contained underwater breathing units he called Aqua-Lungs.

Previously, aquatic adventurers were limited to breath-hold, although they called themselves skin divers. In the late 1060s the term "scuba diver" became the accepted name for Aqua-Lung users. The Aqua-Lung would allow divers to stay under water longer than they could on a single breath. Rene Bussoz imported only ten S.C.U.B.A. units, and once they were sold out he believed he had saturated the market. The number of divers increased in the United States and during those years, there were no certification requirements. And any one who could afford can purchase scuba diving equipment. The only training was offered to the sellers was the warning not to hold one's breath. Training was being conducted by the military (Underwater Demolition Teams, the forerunner of the well known SEAL teams in the U.S.Navy) and the oceanographic institutes at Scripps in Southern California and Woods Hole in New England.

In 1950s dive clubs were the only resource for training available. Al Tillman, the number one instructor was the director of sports for Los Angles Country. During this period training programs sponsored by Los Angles Country to certify skin and scuba divers. Moreover, L.A. Country was well known among commercial and recreation divers' equipment designs, including the band mask.

The 1990s was a challenging time for NAUI as Sam Jackson left NAUI head up the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (retaining DEMA) the previous year. In 1995, NAUI hired Jim Bram and change the title of the NAUI Chief Executive to President. NAUI reset to do NAUI business as NAUI Worldwide. This global look let NAUI build a strategy to provide business support to members via licensed service centers and secure which was considered as asset NAUI brand.

The NAUI Training Progression

Scuba diving is not as easy sport, and as such, it has its fair share of risks. NAUI understand that to minimize risk is to maximize education. There are many scuba certifications programs, and education is the truest form of difference that separates NAUI from competition. Those who completed the program become NAUI Instructors and they are free to adapt their teaching technique to reach the individual and regional needs of their students. The NAUI training progression is the following:

• NAUI Scuba Instructor.
• NAUI Leadership Certifications.
• Master Scuba Diver.
• Advanced Scuba Diver/Junior Advanced Scuba Diver.
• Scuba Diver/Junior Scuba Diver

For more information about NAUI Courses, Click here or Email Nasser Bader, NAUI Course Director in Kuwait