The Campus Recreation Complex (CRC) in partnership with Georgia Tech Professional Education (GTPE) is proud to announce they received the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Outstanding Service Award for 10 years of service and recognition of PADI membership.

This award celebrates ten years as a PADI-recognized university scuba facility. Scuba stands for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus and allows users to explore the high seas deep below the surface. The diver wears all the equipment he or she needs to stay underwater. The apparatus includes a tank of compressed air, a hose for carrying air to a mouthpiece, a facemask that covers the eyes and nose, regulators that control air flow, and gauges that indicate depth and how much air remains in the tank.

 Founded in 1966, PADI is the world's leading scuba diver training organization with over 135,000 dive professionals and over 6,500 dive centers and resorts. Director of Georgia Tech Scuba, Jim Consuegra said, “We have been a member of PADI for 10 years and recognized internationally as a PADI University facility. [This award] represents our dedication to quality, safety, and education by the largest scuba agency in the world.”

GTPE has been offering programs to learn how to safely and effectively use this equipment for over 12 years in the CRC aquatic facilities. There are a wide variety of classes offered every semester that allow you to obtain your basic scuba open water certification and learn techniques for dealing with everything from emergency situations to minimizing the effects of unexpected encounters with hazardous marine life. The Georgia Tech Scuba classes are available for the entire Georgia Tech community and led by instructors with more than 100 years of combined teaching experience. If you are interested in learning more about the SCUBA program on campus, go to GTScuba.gatech.edu.