Columnist: George Petrou

Photo: Hellas Underwater Explorers Archive

Since HUE (Hellas Underwater Explorers) took over the representation of TDI-SDI organizations in 1999, much has been achieved both in the promotion of TDISDI organizations and in the certification of divers and instructors. Development has been rapid and TDISDI Diving Centers / Diving Centers have been established throughout the country.

TDI (Technical Diving International) was and remains one of the largest technical diving organizations. SDI (Scuba Diving International) is the department that deals with recreational diving training. George Petrou, certified as an Advanced Trimix Instructor Trainer and of course at all levels of the organizations, dynamically began the representation and after a great financial struggle, the organizations managed to acquire many members of recreational scuba divers but mainly professional instructors.

Many instructor schools were held, the level of which was very high and the logistical availability had reached almost absolute. Manuals had been translated into Greek, new colorful manuals had been created such as the SDI Open Water Diver, Full illustrated.

Όλα τα εγχειρίδια τεχνικής κατάδυσης από το απλό Basic Nitrox μέχρι τα Advanced Trimix, Gas Blending, Cave Diving, Decompresion diving, Wreck Diving και άλλα, όλα μεταφράστηκαν στην Ελληνική. Το ίδιο και όλα τα Power point των οργανισμών.

Diving seminars and presentations of the educational program of the organizations in almost every city in Greece helped to the maximum to develop the Representation which was for Greece and Cyprus. The completely successful pioneering exploration missions as well as the articles in the magazines Greek diver and Vythos launched the representation and successful development of TDISDI in Greece.

The time has come for the 1st TDI-SDI Trainers Conference which took place in a central hotel in the presence of the President of TDI-SDI Europe Mr Dave Crockford. The conference was organized and directed by Regional Manager George Petrou.

An update was provided on the latest developments in the educational programs of TDISDI organizations and the broader developments in diving worldwide.

Mr. Dave Crockford and Mr. George Petrou proceeded to award the best instructors and diving centers. In the presence of the HUE legal team, the entire legislative framework regarding diving in our country was presented.

TDI was a pioneer in the training of both scuba divers and Technical Diving instructors in our country. SDI had a growing momentum and held the second place in the number of recreational scuba diver certifications.

Unfortunately, this very successful path was interrupted when Mr. Brett Gilliam, founder and successful president of the organizations, left, selling the organizations to someone who broke the contract and did not appreciate so many years of dedication, hard work, passion and large financial investment.

Since Hellas Underwater Explorers ceased representation, there has unfortunately been no progress in the legalization of organizations in our country so that the development of the organization can continue, new scuba divers and instructors can be certified, and diving centers can continue to offer quality educational programs.

In a dark era of prohibitions and stagnation of diving in our country, HUE were essentially the ones who introduced and developed technical diving on a mass level and launched exploratory missions.