Info Diving into Double Jeopardy – When PADI Turns on Its Own

[bakodiver391]

I posted my disappointment and disgust over on the official PADI facebook page. My comment disappeared immediately. This is not the first time PADI lawyers have unfairly thrown an instructor under the bus.

 

[annoyingNudibranch]

Greetings All,

I never imagined that after years of loyalty to PADI, I’d find myself on the receiving end of their “your membership is not in our best interests” clause, an obscure contractual loophole that allows them to terminate members without justification or accountability.

But here’s the kicker: not only was I unfairly expelled, I was punished twice for the same incident—an incident where I was the victim of a violent crime, not the perpetrator.

The Short Version

In 2019, my Divemaster student and I were brutally assaulted by another PADI instructor whilst working as an IDC Staff Instructor on Boracay in the Philippines. The attack was caught on CCTV, and multiple witnesses confirmed what happened. The perp, a Filipino PADI MSDT was drunk as a skunk and throwing bottles of Red Horse around in the bar of Calypso Dive Resort on Boracay, breaking my nose and lacerating my face whilst pinned by his mates, and cutting my DM student and giving him a black eye.

PADI’s first reaction? They suspended me for two weeks—based on the false counter-claims of my attacker, who told PADI that I started the incident.

Fast forward to 2024: the criminal court ruled in my favour after my Filipina wife pressed charges—the attacker was convicted after 4 years of gaslighting the court trying to get them to believe his lies told to PADI, and was rightfully sentenced to one year in prison for serious physical injury.

PADI’s second reaction? Instead of acknowledging the court’s decision, they terminated my membership simply because I updated them on the ruling.

Yes, you read that right: reporting a legal conviction against the real offender got me kicked out of PADI.

The Bigger Problem

This isn’t just about me. This is about how PADI wields absolute power over its members under vague contractual terms:

Victim-blaming culture – If you’re a PADI pro, don’t expect protection if you’re the victim of misconduct. You may find yourself punished instead.

Double Jeopardy – Get penalized today? They can hit you again years later for the same issue, even if you’ve been cleared by a court of law.

The “Best Interests” Clause – PADI can revoke your membership at any time, without having to justify why.

No Right of Appeal – Once they decide, that’s it. No independent review, no arbitration, no oversight.

Has This Happened to You?

Have you ever had PADI use Clause 17 or similar against you?

Have you been terminated or suspended based on false or misleading claims?

Have you been punished for speaking out against misconduct?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Let’s bring this into the light—because if it happened to me, it can happen to anyone.

A former PADI IDC Staff Instructor.

Get your popcorn ready for the comments.

#Scuba #PADI #VictimBlaming #UnfairContracts #DivingCommunity #JusticeForInstructors

Ive heard of this case. If i can remember i was told this incident happened during a snorkel test, at the bar, between two colleagues. Which i give you right you were attacked and the attacker should be punished. But from a dive professional standpoint dragging Padi into this is where you are at fault.

1. This did not happen during diving or classes. It was not a diving activity.

2. This was not part of the divemaster course As the "Snorkel Test" is not part of the curriculum.

3. Posting it everywhere online when the incident happened and shaming another Padi pro (bringing Padi again into the incident) doesnt help either with your case.

In my opinion Padi does not have "jurisdiction" here over the matter;
the fact that you dragged Padi into it and publicly called out another Padi Pro is the reason, i think, for your suspension as it breaks code of conduct.

If i hurt you on the boat during an OWC then its a Padi matter (i still cant post it publicly online without getting repramanded.)

This shouldve been, in my opinion, soley a police matter between 2 civilians

 

[StoneFish2017]

Ive heard of this case. If i can remember i was told this incident happened during a snorkel test, at the bar, between two colleagues. Which i give you right you were attacked and the attacker should be punished. But from a dive professional standpoint dragging Padi into this is where you are at fault.

1. This did not happen during diving or classes. It was not a diving activity.

2. This was not part of the divemaster course As the "Snorkel Test" is not part of the curriculum.

3. Posting it everywhere online when the incident happened and shaming another Padi pro (bringing Padi again into the incident) doesnt help either with your case.

In my opinion Padi does not have "jurisdiction" here over the matter;
the fact that you dragged Padi into it and publicly called out another Padi Pro is the reason, i think, for your suspension as it breaks code of conduct.

If i hurt you on the boat during an OWC then its a Padi matter (i still cant post it publicly online without getting repramanded.)

This shouldve been, in my opinion, soley a police matter between 2 civilians

“Ah, so let me get this straight—you’re saying PADI had no jurisdiction over an off-duty assault, yet somehow they had just enough jurisdiction to suspend me in 2019 and then revoke my membership in 2024? Fascinating. It seems PADI conveniently found authority twice when it came to punishing the victim, yet somehow lost their ability to act when it came to the convicted assailant. Truly groundbreaking work in selective enforcement!

And let’s talk about this ‘dragging PADI into it’ bit. I didn’t drag PADI into this—PADI dragged themselves in the moment they put me on administrative hold based on the lies of my attacker, and then doubled down five years later when I simply updated them on a court ruling. That’s what you’re defending?

Also, I love how you assume publicly calling out another PADI Pro is the real problem here—not, you know, the actual violent crime he committed. No, no, let’s not focus on the physical assault or the fact that he got convicted in a court of law. Clearly, the real crime here is speaking up about it! Because God forbid a professional diving agency actually hold its members to ethical standards, right?

So which is it? Either PADI had no business getting involved at all—meaning my suspension and termination were unjustified, or they did have jurisdiction—meaning they should have also acted against the convicted assailant. You can’t have it both ways. But hey, I’m sure mental gymnastics are a great workout for dive professionals too!”

 

[SpeedyJ]

Where are all the ScubaBoard PADI apologists?

They're busy sewing more patches on to their jackets to make sure everyone knows they have 200 dives & Master Diver.