Certifying Organizations

Paradise Island Divers has been offering “In Depth” SCUBA instruction to Charlotte and the surrounding communities since 1984.  Paradise Island Divers founder and president, Wayne Moose, returned from Vietnam in 1973 with a life long desire to learn to SCUBA dive spawned by the infamous TV series “Sea Hunt”. Becoming a certified N.A.S.D.S. (Nations Association of SCUBA Diving Schools) Basic Open Water Diver in January of 1974.  He, as all new divers, had no idea that not all diving courses are equal.  By December of 1976, Wayne graduated from the only “SCUBA Instructors College” in the U.S. in the top 10% of his class earning the rating of N.A.S.D.S. College Instructor – OWIC 330.

          In the years to follow he also earned Instructorship under SSI (SCUBA Schools International), PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors), NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors), YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) and ANDI (American Nitrox Divers International).  After evaluating all of these certifying organizations over the years (even though all certifying agencies are good, some offer more – a lot more), under Wayne’s guidance, Paradise Island Divers has for the last 15 odd years offered N.A.S.D.S. as our “Primary Certifying Organization”.

          In 1997, founding Father, John Gafney, passed away and the helm was passed to an aggressive individual by the name of Doug McNeese who merged this organization of distinction, N.A.S.D.S., with another Certifying organization known as SSI and the rest is history.

          Paradise Island Divers offers a hybrid of the N.A.S.D.S. and SSI certification program.  This program is unequal anywhere in the U.S. today.  With over 30 to 34 hours of pool and classroom time, each diving candidate possesses the“Knowledge”, “Skills”, “Equipment” and “Experience” to execute dives up to the depth of 100”.

          This program isn’t for everyone, that’s why there are different certifying organizations.  But! If you are looking for the facility and certifying organization to prepare you for a “Lifetime of Knowledgeable Diving Adventures” look no further than 2317 South Boulevard, Charlotte NC.

          Our Instructors feel that It’s “Honorable to Over Train” and “Criminal to Under Train” you and your loved ones.

                                                       SSI/NASDS     ANDInternational 

We accept all nationally recognized certification programs.