Professional Scuba Association International

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

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

• Scuba diving certification
• Technical diving training
• Cave diving instruction
• Public safety diving
• Scuba instructor education

Headquarters

HQ city

Sand Point

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Certification Programs: Revenue from diver and instructor certification fees across recreational, technical, and cave diving programs
2. Training Materials and Manuals: Sale of educational manuals for various PSAI programs including ABC Program, DPV Diving, Freediving, Altitude Diving, Cave Decompression
3. 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)
4. 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

Core 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

Named customers6 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Phoenix University (Academic Partners)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2018PSAI International Academy invited Phoenix University Academic Enrollment Coordinator and Academic Director to conduct Marketing, Enrollment and Recruitment Seminar for Staff Development Program
• Flekkefjord Dykker KlubbminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2018Norwegian 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 CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2016Dive training center in Vieques where employee Jose Sepulveda attended PSAI International Academy First Aid/CPR training
• Flag Blue Dive ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2016Dive 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 TourscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 February 2016Dive 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 OutpostminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDive 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

Regional 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/PSAI-Professional-Scuba-Association-International-112538528783601
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/professional-scuba-association-international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 Professional Scuba Association International