Dive training agency RAID International has announced it has submitted an application this week for membership of the Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC) under the new guidelines announced yesterday by the organisation.

The RSTC has revised the application process for organisation membership. In an official statement the RSTC announced: “While additional changes may be made in the future, RSTC is looking to expand the membership in the organisation by implementing these changes so more scuba training agencies will have the opportunity to become part of the important work of the RSTC.”

A few of the changes announced include allowing other training agencies with headquarters located outside the United States to apply for membership, the introduction of a new Associate Member level and an updated process which allows membership for training organizations conducting business within the United States, as well as other locations globally.

RAID CEO Jim Holliday strongly welcomed the announcement, saying: “Until yesterday, only USA based training agencies – those with their Headquarters there – were able to apply for RSTC Membership although there was a general and incorrect global perception that any diver training agency could apply for membership. Unfortunately, this perception sometimes led to criticism unfairly levelled at those training agencies that could not claim such membership. For example, although RAID is already an approved dive training agency by HSE (UK) and Australian Standards, that it’s standards also meet or exceed dive industry minimum standards found globally and we are the fastest growing agency in the dive industry, some industry participants were concerned by the lack of our RSTC membership. RAID is hopeful that will immediately change with this new announcement by the RSTC.

“It also seems that the RSTC is now rightly taking the view that with only 5 USA based agencies represented currently, the need for change is evident to create a more inclusive organisation that can represent a broader cross section of the current training market. Therefore RAID congratulates RSTC on the decision to create new and clearer guidelines aimed at inclusion based on merit and looks forward to our membership being ratified. Once inducted into the RSTC, both RAID International and RAID USA will work enthusiastically with the RSTC to meet our mutual goals,” Holliday added.

To learn more contact your local RAID Regional Office or find all the information you need on all RAID programs at www.diveraid.com and on freediving at www.freedivingraid.com. You can find RAID’s Facebook page here.