PSAI HISTORY

The Professional Scuba Association International (PSAI) is one of the world’s oldest technical and extended-range scuba certification agencies. PSAI was the first organization to offer diver and instructor certifications in both recreational sport and technical diving — nearly three decades before any other agency.

PSAI was originally founded in 1962 as Florida Divers Supply (FDS) by Hal Watts. In 1969, the name was changed to Florida State Skindiving Schools (FSSS). At that time, FSSS was among the largest dive schools in the world, operating four branches across Florida and one in St. Lucia. It was during this period that the Golden Triangle symbol was created — the design that later evolved into the modern PSAI logo.

As the organization expanded beyond Florida, the name was changed once again in 1988 to the Professional Scuba Association (PSA). The strong training principles on which PSA was built led to its continued international growth, and in 1995, the “I” was added to signify its global reach — thus forming Professional Scuba Association International (PSAI).

In 2019, PSAI Korea initiated a freediving program, marking a new chapter in the association’s history. On April 15, 2023, this program officially separated from PSAI to establish Professional Safety Apnea (PSA), founded by Yanghee Jo, with the goal of developing the most advanced and modern freediving education system.