Described by one major manufacturer as a “breathe of fresh air”, RAID’s Asia re-launch was a huge success with RAID coming online right across the globe. RAID has brought to the dive industry landscape the world’s most comprehensive online dive training system with a built in and very proactive quality assurance system to ensure educational excellence and diver safety.

RAID was the buzz of the show and one of the highlights that caught a few people by total surprise was the announcement that high profile dive industry personality Terry Cummins (formerly PADI) has joined similarly high profile past arch-rival, Col McKenzie (formerly of SSI) and other well-known divers on the RAID Team.

TC, as he is called by his friends, may be best known for establishing PADI in the South Pacific and as an executive on many dive industry related bodies. After a long and varied career with PADI, in late 2012 TC retired as an International Vice President and Director of Market Development Technical Diving Division for PADI Worldwide. TC has also been presented with several prestigious awards including those from Dive Australia, OZTeK and Oceanic. In 2013 he was awarded one of his country’s highest honours: Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his contribution to sport, especially scuba diving.

With such a long history with another training agency and having been out of the industry for over a year, when asked for his reason for joining RAID, TC commented simply; “I missed the industry I have served for over 40 years and just wanted to come back”. TC went on to say: “I have experienced some really great advancements in diving; for instance, I was there when the world’s first modular scuba course was launched, revolutionising the industry in many ways. Similarly, the RAID system is an extraordinary new concept that can take the industry in a new and much needed direction”.

“RAID is not only a great choice for diver training, but as a business model for dive pros it is certainly the ‘breath of fresh air’ some are describing it as and others are looking for. What excites me about the RAID Team, is it is not about a plan to take on the world; we want to put an exciting new model out there for everyone to use and have some fun implementing. In a nutshell, RAID wants the whole world to “Dive the Planet”, to get back to what this industry should be about – diving.  But when it comes to any specific questions people might have about RAID business, let us make it very clear; RAID is not just another online training program. Put it this way; I remember when the major players of today were virtually unheard of. I also remember when the Amazon was a jungle and Kindle was something you used to start a fire. I saw what happened to Kodak when digital hit and so, in this fast paced world, it is clear technology drives everything and we believe RAID has that technology”.

Col McKenzie, of RAID’s South East Asia division, is extremely and openly very excited. “To be working with people like Terry and the other RAID executives means RAID has hit the ground with their re-launch with an extremely experienced and highly capable international team”.

Before the recent highly publicized restructure of SSI, Col was the ultimate driving force responsible for successfully taking SSI to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. A very capable administrator and financial controller, Col has been the President and Treasurer of Dive Queensland and an active participant in the marine tourism industry. He is currently the Executive Director of the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (Great Barrier Reef). He represents the marine tourism industry on different boards, forums and committees. Also the recipient of several dive industry awards, Col brings over 40 years of experience in the dive and travel industries to the RAID team.

Meanwhile, RAID International Director of Training, Paul Toomer, formerly International Director of Technical Training for SSI, is a force of nature in the diving world and his unique approach to training is legendary. Since he became a diving professional, Paul has reached the pinnacle of the world’s leading diver training agencies; teaching divers, instructors and instructor trainers.  When it comes to caves, wrecks and rebreathers, Paul has been there and done that, all over the world. An avid writer and presenter, his contributions include articles for various dive magazines and formal presentations at most of the training agency member events, DEMA, OZTek, EuroTek, TekCamp, the British Scuba Industry Trade Association, the London International Dive Show, Hollis/Oceanic Dealer Seminars and many more.

Paul said: “It is our plan to work with everyone; we have the view that we have no competitors and no enemies as such, just friends in the dive industry ultimately trying to achieve the same thing. The number one goal for us all must be market growth and for us at RAID that is via our programs, products, services and our technology platform. At the same time we want to help maintain the spirit of adventure to drive diving to new heights. We plan to break the mould on just about everything and those who want to join us will have fun while doing our courses and / or growing their business.”

Barry Coleman, founder of RAID, started diving in the late 70s and by the early 90s started rebreather diving. In 2001 Barry conceptualised the design of a recreational rebreather. Working closely with the design team at Poseidon, the Mk VI Discovery Rebreather was born and brought to market in 2007. To support the diver training required for Mk VI, Barry founded RAID the same year.

Since then Barry has continued to research remote learning models and pioneered the development of RAID E Training programs across the full range of recreational diving activities now offered. Barry is a sort after speaker at dive conventions and an advocate for the protection of sharks.

Barry said: “It’s great to see 7 years of hard work come alive at ADEX. My expertise is in developing technology and diver training programs. Now I am part of a global team that can show the world just what a great product this is. People are amazed when they see what this can do and now we have new partners, I can’t wait to show you what is coming down the pipeline in terms of technical advances with the system.

If you want a better understanding of what RAID can offer you, take a look at www.diveraid.com.

Source: www.divenewswire.com