Professional Scuba Association International
Professional Scuba Association International (PSAI) is a 1962-founded private scuba diving certification body that issues recreational, technical, cave, and public-safety diver and instructor certifications through a 16-country licensee network and an International Academy in Puerto Rico.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersSand Point, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
Professional Scuba Association International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Professional Scuba Association International
- Legal name
- Professional Scuba Association International
- Website
- https://psai.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Professional Scuba Association International (PSAI) is a 1962-founded private scuba diving certification body that issues recreational, technical, cave, and public-safety diver and instructor certifications through a 16-country licensee network and an International Academy in Puerto Rico.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Professional Scuba Association International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Scuba Diving Certification Services
- NAICS
- Technical and Trade Schools (6115)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Scuba Diving & Freediving Centers (Training, Guided Dives) (THAAAKAD), Lifeguard, Water Rescue & Aquatic Safety Training (EDAOAMAJ), Search & Rescue (SAR) & Technical Rescue Training (EDAOAMAI)
Keywords
Where Professional Scuba Association International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sand Point
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Professional Scuba Association International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Certification Programs: Revenue from diver and instructor certification fees across recreational, technical, and cave diving programs
- Training Materials and Manuals: Sale of educational manuals for various PSAI programs including ABC Program, DPV Diving, Freediving, Altitude Diving, Cave Decompression
- Country Licensee Fees: Licensing fees from country licensees who operate PSAI programs in their territories (China, Philippines, Korea, Poland, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and others)
- International Academy Programs: Revenue from the PSAI International Academy offering 2-year and 4-year full-time training programs for instructor development, enhanced diver programs, and professional master courses
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Professional Scuba Association International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PSAI develops and delivers internationally recognized scuba diving certification and training programs from entry-level recreational (Sports Diver) through advanced technical, cave, decompression, freediving, altitude, and Public Safety Diving tracks. Offerings include proprietary branded training manuals, instructor and instructor-trainer certification paths, the PSAI SMART public safety program, and multi-year professional training delivered through the PSAI International Academy in Puerto Rico and a global network of independent country licensees.
Product overview
The Professional Scuba Association International (PSAI) offers a comprehensive scuba diving certification and training ecosystem comprising multiple interconnected products and programs. The core offerings include recreational diving certifications (Sports Diver Programs), technical and extended diving programs (including cave diving and decompression procedures), and professional instructor development programs. PSAI produces proprietary training materials including detailed manuals for DPV diving, buoyancy control (ABC Program™), freediving, altitude diving, cave decompression, and equipment-specific courses. The organization operates the PSAI International Academy on Vieques island, Puerto Rico, providing 2-year and 4-year full-time training programs, Master Classes, and advanced professional development. Additional services include the Digital Library & Research Center and PSD Emergency Command & Response Center. PSAI also administers prestigious awards including the Hal Watts Cave Diving Awards and Annual Professional of the Year Awards. The organization recently launched the VMS Red Series CCR RedHead & RedBare manual for closed-circuit rebreather training.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PSAI Sports Diver Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- First complete Cave Decompression training program in the industry
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Professional Scuba Association International
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Professional Scuba Association International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Professional Scuba Association International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Phoenix University (Academic Partners)minorPSAI International Academy invited Phoenix University Academic Enrollment Coordinator and Academic Director to conduct Marketing, Enrollment and Recruitment Seminar for Staff Development Program
- Flekkefjord Dykker KlubbminorNorwegian dive club that provided support during PSAI Italia Explorer Team expedition to Hydra island searching for Dutch East India Company vessel. Special thanks to Glenn Ommundsen Olsen for logistics and recovery of information
- Black Beard Training CenterminorDive training center in Vieques where employee Jose Sepulveda attended PSAI International Academy First Aid/CPR training
- Flag Blue Dive ClubcoreDive club founded by PSAI Instructor Han Ting, partnered with PSAI China at DRT Show Shanghai 2016 for product demonstrations and technical diving education
- El Viequenese Sea TourscoreDive tour operator located on Vieques island, awarded Latin American Facility of the Year 2015. Owner Luis 'Tatta' A. Melendez participated in PSAI International Academy founding and activities.
- Dive OutpostminorDive facility in Luraville, Florida where PSAI Poland leaders received Underwater Cave Survey and Cartography training from Gary Taylor
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Professional Scuba Association International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- BSAC (British Sub-Aqua Club): BSAC is a UK-based diver training organization with international reach. Comparable to PSAI in diver certification model, though with strong UK/Commonwealth regional focus and club-based delivery.
Direct peers
- CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques): CMAS is an international umbrella organization for diver certification with federation-based country representation. Comparable to PSAI in certifying divers and instructors across multiple countries, though with a different governance model.
- GUE (Global Underwater Explorers): GUE is a technical, cave, and rebreather diving organization offering advanced diver and instructor certifications. Directly comparable to PSAI in technical and cave diving certification scope and methodology development.
- IANTD (International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers): IANTD is a technical diving certification agency focused on advanced recreational, cave, and rebreather diving. Closely comparable to PSAI's technical and cave diving specialization with similar advanced training methodologies.
- NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors): NAUI is a long-established competitor offering recreational and technical diver certifications. Directly comparable as a competing certification agency with similar curriculum and instructor training programs.
- SSI (Scuba Schools International): SSI is a major direct competitor to PSAI, offering recreational and technical diving certifications through a global network of dive centers and professionals. Comparable business model centered on certification card issuance and instructor training.
- SDI/TDI (Scuba Diving International / Technical Diving International): SDI/TDI offers recreational and technical diving certifications with a strong reputation in technical and overhead environment diving. Highly comparable to PSAI's niche leadership in technical and cave diving instruction.
Broad incumbents
- PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors): PADI is the world's largest scuba diving certification agency, issuing the majority of recreational dive certifications globally. Directly comparable to PSAI as both offer diver and instructor certification programs through affiliated dive centers and instructors.
Emerging players
- NACD (National Association of Cave Divers): NACD is a niche cave diving certification organization focused on overhead environment training. Comparable to PSAI's cave diving specialization, though more narrowly focused on cave-specific certifications.
- RAID (Rebreather Association of International Divers): RAID is a relatively newer dive certification agency offering recreational and technical programs. Comparable to PSAI in certification model and global footprint ambition, focused on digital-first delivery and instructor networks.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Professional Scuba Association International social profiles
Digital presenceProfessional Scuba Association International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Professional Scuba Association International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Professional Scuba Association International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Professional Scuba Association International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Professional Scuba Association International
What does Professional Scuba Association International do?
PSAI develops and delivers internationally recognized scuba diving certification and training programs from entry-level recreational (Sports Diver) through advanced technical, cave, decompression, freediving, altitude, and Public Safety Diving tracks. Offerings include proprietary branded training manuals, instructor and instructor-trainer certification paths, the PSAI SMART public safety program, and multi-year professional training delivered through the PSAI International Academy in Puerto Rico and a global network of independent country licensees.
Is Professional Scuba Association International a public or private company?
Professional Scuba Association International is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Professional Scuba Association International founded?
Professional Scuba Association International was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Professional Scuba Association International based?
Professional Scuba Association International is headquartered in Sand Point, United States, in the North America region.
How does Professional Scuba Association International make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Certification Programs are the primary driver. The others are training Materials and Manuals, country Licensee Fees and international Academy Programs.
Who are Professional Scuba Association International's main competitors?
BSAC (British Sub-Aqua Club) is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques), GUE (Global Underwater Explorers), IANTD (International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers), NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors), SSI (Scuba Schools International) and SDI/TDI (Scuba Diving International / Technical Diving International). PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are NACD (National Association of Cave Divers) and RAID (Rebreather Association of International Divers).
Does Professional Scuba Association International have an API?
No public API is recorded for Professional Scuba Association International.
What industry is Professional Scuba Association International in?
Professional Scuba Association International's product category is Scuba Diving Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAIAA, Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications), with a secondary code of THAAAKAD, Scuba Diving & Freediving Centers (Training, Guided Dives). Its NAICS code is 6115 and its SIC code is 8200.