Learn how to chose a safe scuba diving provider in Montenegro.

International diving standards and their application in Montenegro.

Before you scuba  be sure to learn following:
•    What is SCUBA recreational diving  ,what underwater occupations there are and which of them is interesting to you?
•    International diving standards and their application in Montenegro.
 

 What is SCUBA recreational diving  ,what underwater occupations there are and which of them is interesting to you?

Scuba diving is a mode of underwater diving in which a scuba diver uses a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) to breathe underwater. Scuba unit consists of a  regulator, jacket and tank . SCUBA recreational diving is the base for many underwater occupations, lets  mention just a few of them:
•    SCUBA diving tourism.
•    Underwater demining.
•    Sport diving.
•    Commercial diving.
Every underwater occupation offers a wide spectrum of activities, try to recognize which one  can be interesting for you. 

RECREATIONAL DIVING

An underwater occupation can be profit or non-profit. Any  profit underwater occupation implies providing and billing of diving services. Profit Scuba providers  are commercial companies .
Sports diving  falls within the category of non-profit occupations. Providers are : dive clubs, NGOs and humanitarian associations. They are not allowed to  bill any of a diving  services .

International diving standards and their application in Montenegro.


Whether scuba diving represent an safe activity? YES if you are going to respect a scuba diving safe practicing rules.  Every underwater occupation is defined and governed by international  diving standards established by internationally scuba diving associations.  There is  one or few of scuba diving associations in charge  for each of diving occupation.
•    The three most popular associations, dealing with the standardisation of diving tourism are PADI, SSI and NAUI . Therefore, the only instructors allowed to engage in diving tourism are PADI, SSI or NAUI certified Instructors.
•    IMCA is the most popular Commercial diving association. IMCA Instructors can provide commercial diving services.
•    Sports diving occupation is standardised by CMAS  diving association . CMAS Instructors can provide ONLY sports diving trainings .
•    Underwater demining in Montenegro is standardized by the state institution RCUD Bijela . RCUD Instructors can provide ONLY underwater demining services.
 

Questions for you?
Would it be safe and normal  if an underwater demining ( RCUD )Instructor offers and conduct sports diving training?
Would it be safe and normal  if an Commercial diving (IMCA) Instructor offers and conduct SCUBA diving tourism services ?
Would it be legal and convenient if an CMAS  Instructor offers and conduct any profit scuba services?

Well, this kind of practice is  widespread  in Montenegro, so the first tip for you is to check references of  scuba diving provider and check whether his offer corresponds with his qualification. Do not allowed a car mechanic to fix your teeth.

What have we learned?
•    That SCUBA recreational diving is an activity implying the use of scuba unit.
•    That SCUBA recreational diving is the basis for a number of underwater occupations.
•    That underwater occupation can be profit or non-profit .
•    Each diving occupation  is defined by the rules (standards).
•    Scuba diving standards are established by international diving associations.
•    There is  one or few  diving associations competent for each of scuba occupations.
•    VERY IMPORTANT - Instructor who is educated to engage in one occupation can not be engaged or provide any services from any other diving occupation.

Check scuba provider references .

Instructor presentation should look like this: “I am Radan Dragasevic, PADI OWSI scuba diving Instructor, no.971432”.
•    (Radan Dragasevic) My name and surname.
•    PADI is the scuba diving association I belong to. It shows you that I am engaged in the occupation of Diving Tourism.
•     OWSI scuba diving Instructor is  my training level. This information tells you what kind of services I can  provide.
•    971432- This is my registration number which you need in order to check my status .

Dive Center presentation should look like this: "We are Pro Dive Hydrotech Dive Center - PADI member no.S-23586".
•    Pro Dive Hydrotech Dive Center is our official  name.
•    PADI is the scuba diving association we belong to. It shows you that we are engaged in the occupation of Diving Tourism.
•    Member no.S-23586 - This is the dive center  registration number which you are going to need in order to check our status.
This is the minimum of information  which any  scuba provider should  provide . If provider failed  to do so than  you are dealing with illegal, unsafe and incompetent person or company. If so " run baby run".
 

Check the validity of presented information.

False or incomplete presentations of Montenegrian scuba providers is a widespread practice. Scuba diving in Montenegro has a tradition but  unfortunately does not keep pace with international scuba standards. Lack of diving  legislation leads to illegal, unsafe and incompetent organization of diving activities in Montenegro. The conclusion is very simple -  Safe scuba diving in Montenegro can be provided only by internationally  certified individuals or dive centers.
During checking  it is recommended to use  the table  and do not forget to:
•    Check if  scuba provider’s presentation is complete and correct (through registration number).
•    Check if  education of scuba provider correspond with his offer. Don’t forget about car mechanic and your teeth.  

For all those diligent enough to have read  the entire text and learned something there is a reward – free of charge DSD program for  any of you, successful in finding an example of a  regular diving offer in Montenegro (mine excluded).

Pro Diving Montenegro is the only internationally certified dive center in Montenegro. Diving with us is Safe and Fun!