Disabled Divers International

What Disabled Divers International does

Disabled Divers International (DDI) was a Malta-registered not-for-profit organization (Disabled Divers International Ltd., Org.# C71911) headquartered in Victoria, Gozo, that developed and delivered adaptive scuba diving training programs for people with physical, mental, and intellectual disabilities. Founded in 2009-2010 by Fraser Bathgate and Flemming Thyge (both formerly of the International Association of Handicapped Divers), DDI operated entirely on volunteer labor with all board members serving without compensation. The organization operated in 58 countries through a network of certified Dive Centers, Dive Clubs, and Instructor Training Centers, reaching a global footprint prior to its official closure on December 31, 2024.

DDI's product portfolio spanned non-professional certifications (Try Scuba, Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Assistant Diver, Rehab Diver, Surface Assistant), professional certifications (Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, Instructor, DM Instructor, Instructor Trainer), and institutional certifications (Dive Club, Dive Center, Instructor Training Center). Its core technical framework was a three-tier Assistance Requirement Levels system (Level 1-3) that classified disabled divers by the assistance needed, paired with adaptive equipment techniques such as full-face masks for quad amputees, webbed gloves for paraplegics, and custom BCD configurations. Training manuals were available in multiple languages including Greek, Romanian, Spanish, Italian, and Dutch. Programs were designed to layer onto existing scuba training organizations rather than compete with them.

DDI's business model combined revenue from diver certification fees (one-time licensing), professional training programs (Pro Training courses for dive professionals), and dive center affiliation/licensing fees. The organization was 100% volunteer-run, did not publicly disclose pricing, and partnered with PADI (Adaptive Techniques Specialty Diver, 2018), DAN Europe, Decathlon Foundation, and equipment vendors like Mares and Deep 6 Gear. Notable partnerships included a Veterans Dive Team Holland program serving PTSD-affected veterans, research with DAN Europe on disabled diver safety, and media coverage on Italian sports channels for technical wreck diving projects. DDI ceased issuing certifications after December 31, 2024 following 15 years of operation.

Name

Disabled Divers International

Legal name

Disabled Divers International Ltd.

Website

https://ddivers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Disabled Divers International was a Malta-based, 100% volunteer-run nonprofit that delivered adaptive scuba diving certification and training programs for people with disabilities across 58 countries, officially closing on December 31, 2024 after 15 years of operation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Scuba Diving Training and Certification

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Scuba Diving & Freediving Centers (Training, Guided Dives) (THAAAKAD)

Keywords

• Adaptive scuba diving
• Diver certification programs
• Professional dive training
• Accessibility diving education
• Specialized diving instruction

Headquarters

HQ city

Okinawa

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Diver Certification Fees: Revenue generated from certifying divers at various levels (Try Scuba, Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, etc.) and professionals (Divemaster, Instructor, etc.).
2. Professional Training Programs: Fees from Pro Training courses for dive professionals from Divemaster to Instructor Trainer levels.
3. Dive Center Affiliation: Certification and affiliation fees for Dive Centers, Dive Clubs, and Instructor Training Centers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Disabled Divers International (DDI) is a not-for-profit organization that promotes, develops, and conducts disabled scuba diving training programs for professional and non-professional students. It certifies individual divers with disabilities through tiered non-professional programs (Try Scuba to Advanced Open Water) and certifies dive professionals (Divemaster through Instructor Trainer) to teach disabled divers, additionally certifying Dive Centers, Dive Clubs and Instructor Training Centers worldwide.

Product overview

Disabled Divers International (DDI) is a not-for-profit organization that promotes, develops, and conducts disabled scuba diving training programs. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of products including: (1) Non-professional diving programs ranging from Try Scuba Diving experiences through Open Water Diver certifications, plus Rehab Diver training for health professionals; (2) Professional certifications including Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, Instructor, DM Instructor, and Instructor Trainer levels; (3) Dive Center certifications (Dive Club, Dive Center, Instructor Training Center); and (4) The No Barrier Tour event program that promotes scuba diving for people with disabilities through Try Dives. All programs use a three-tier Assistance Requirement Level system (Level 1-3) based on individual divers' need for assistance. DDI programs are designed to work in cooperation with existing scuba diving training organizations. The organization is 100% volunteer-run and operates in 58 countries, though it will officially close on December 31, 2024.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DDI Try Scuba Diving First-time scuba experience program for everyone, split into a no-skills part at maximum 2 meters depth and a second part after skills completion. Designed as an introductory dive experience for people with disabilities.
• DDI Surface Assistant Program teaching friends and family how to assist disabled divers on land. Targeted at support network of disabled divers.
• DDI Scuba Diver Basic scuba diver certification for diving with a diving professional, focusing on practical parts where the professional can compensate restrictions.
• DDI Open Water Diver Full autonomous scuba diver certification able to dive with other certified scuba divers, with the three-tier Assistance Level system applying for disabled divers.
• DDI Advanced Open Water Diver Autonomous scuba diver certification with experience in navigation and deeper diving, with the Assistance Level system applied for disabled divers.
• DDI Assistant Diver Non-professional scuba diver certification with training in assisting disabled divers underwater and on the surface.
• DDI Rehab Diver Course designed for health professionals such as physiotherapists, doctors, and nurses focusing on underwater rehabilitation using scuba.
• DDI Pro Training Base level course for all diving professionals from Divemaster to Instructor Trainers, teaching skills, exercises, adaptations and theory for working with disabled and non-disabled divers. Takes 2-3 days and has been running successfully for 10 years as of January 2020.
• DDI Divemaster Certified DDI Divemaster qualified to act as assistant to DDI Instructor during non-professional courses and conduct Try Scuba Diving to maximum 2 meters.
• DDI Assistant Instructor Certified to conduct portions of non-professional courses, Try Scuba Diving, Surface Assistant, Rehab Diver, and Adaptive Diver courses and issue certifications.
• DDI Instructor Certified to conduct Pool Diver, Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, and Assistant Diver courses and issue certifications.
• DDI DM Instructor Certified to conduct DDI Divemaster course and teach/supervise Pro Training courses under Instructor Trainer supervision.
• DDI Instructor Trainer Highest professional certification, qualified to conduct full Pro Training, Status Update programs, Professional Crossover programs, and any new programs developed.
• DDI Dive Club Certification Certification for non-profit clubs or organizations catering to disabled divers with DDI professional staff or volunteers.
• DDI Dive Center Certification Certification for dive centers or organizations catering to disabled divers with DDI professional staff or volunteers, subject to accessibility assessments and certification levels.
• DDI Instructor Training Center Certification Top-tier center certification catering to all levels of DDI training including Pro Trainings announced once a year; typically has more DDI Professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 58 countries with DDI presence enabling disabled diving worldwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• PADIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2018DDI Director of Training Mark Slingo helped PADI launch their new Adaptive Techniques Specialty Diver program in Asia (Philippines, South Korea, Indonesia, China). This specialty introduces PADI instructors to basics of working with divers with disabilities and serves as an introduction to the more comprehensive DDI Pro Training Course.
• Decathlon FoundationflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2015Partnership with Decathlon Foundation and DAN Europe to teach instructors in 17 Italian provinces the DDI Pro Training over 3 years, with each instructor certifying one disabled diver.
• DAN EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAN Europe partnered with DDI Italy for research studies on disabled divers and diving safety lectures. Also involved in Y-40 pool events and high-altitude diving research.
• Deep 6 GearminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment partner offering DDI members 5% discount on orders using partner code 'DDI'. DDI receives commission on sales made through referral link.
• Open Sky PicturesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDocumentary production company that created 'Beneath the Surface' film about Daniel Ennett becoming first DDI Open Water quad amputee. Film available free on Vimeo.
• UCanTourIt (Israel)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCompany providing organized overseas tours for mobility-impaired individuals in Israel and abroad. Organizes dive excursions with Etgarim, a non-profit for outdoor sports with disabilities.
• Etgarim (Israel)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization that organizes outdoor sports for people with disabilities. Partners with UCanTourIt for dive excursions.
• Ocean Tribe (Kenya)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDive center in Kenya providing accessible diving opportunities for disabled divers.
• MaresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment partner providing equipment support for MT Haven wreck diving project for disabled divers.
• Diving TechDive (Italy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical diving instructors (Aldo Ferrucci and Andrea Bada) who provided support for MT Haven 40m depth dive with three disabled divers. Partners in making technical wreck diving accessible.
• Veterans Dive Team HollandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization founded by DDI Instructor Bert Kruis, serving veterans with PTSD and other combat injuries through diving. Uses DDI syllabus and supports DMs and Instructors.
• National Military Revalidation Center (Netherlands)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch military rehabilitation center collaborating with Veterans Dive Team Holland and DDI for Try Scuba Dive clinics with wounded soldiers.
• EHandicap RecordsminorOthersRecords organization that documented Dmitrii Pavlenko's 40m open water dive as a world achievement for quadruple amputee diving.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors): World's largest recreational diving certification body and DDI's flagship distribution partner; offers an Adaptive Techniques Specialty Diver course co-developed with DDI, competing for adaptive-instructor mindshare within a much broader portfolio.
• BSAC (British Sub-Aqua Club): UK-based diver training organization offering inclusive diving programs and competing for adaptive-instructor affiliations in the UK and Commonwealth markets where DDI had strong presence.
• SSI (Scuba Schools International): Global recreational diving certification agency with adaptive/accessible diver offerings; competes with DDI-trained centers by offering mainstream-recognized certifications with disability accommodations.
• NAUI Worldwide: Long-established recreational scuba training agency offering diver and instructor certifications; competes for dive-center affiliations and offers adaptive programming overlapping DDI's professional curriculum.
• CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques): International diving federation issuing federated certifications across national member agencies; competes with DDI for global instructor pipelines and dive-center affiliations in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Direct peers

• Diveheart: US-based nonprofit using scuba as therapy for veterans, children, and adults with disabilities; comparable adaptive diving training programs, rehabilitation outcomes, and volunteer-instructor model.
• Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA): International nonprofit certifying agency dedicated to scuba training for people with disabilities; offers a parallel adaptive diver certification system, directly competing with DDI for instructors, dive centers, and disabled students.
• Deptherapy: UK charity using scuba diving as rehabilitation for veterans with PTSD and physical injuries; operates adaptive diver training programs analogous to DDI's veteran-focused partnerships and competes for the same grant and partner funding pools.
• International Association of Handicapped Divers (IAHD): Original adaptive diving certification body founded in the 1990s, of which DDI's founders were previously leaders; offers overlapping diver and instructor certifications and competes for the same dive-center affiliations globally.

Others

• DAN (Divers Alert Network) Europe: Diving safety, research, and insurance organization that partnered with DDI Italy for safety lectures and high-altitude diving research; an adjacent ecosystem player rather than a direct certification competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DDivers.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/disableddiversinternational

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Disabled Divers International