ABOUT ANDI INTERNATIONAL

ANDI Diving Courses Asia

ANDI International is one of the world’s fastest growing diver training agencies. ANDI began by specializing in training programs for Enriched Air Nitrox) diving. As a natural evolution from SafeAir®, ANDI developed training programs for what has now become known as Technical diving and Closed Circuit Rebreather systems. To meet the demands of our international network of training facilities, in 1999 ANDI introduced a unique methodology for training entry-level divers with the ANDI Open Water Sport Diver program.

Since our origin in 1988, ANDI has expanded throughout the world with Regional Headquarters located in the United Kingdom, Israel, Australia, Sweden, Italy, Germany, The Netherlands, Greece, Japan, Taiwan, Republic of Korea, Republic of Maldives, Republic of Philippines, Latin America, Middle East and the home office in the United States of America. To meet the needs of these regional markets ANDI developed educational material in many languages in addition to English.

ANDI has developed a multifaceted training system with comprehensive programs. These include Openwater Sport Diver, Dive Medic, SafeAir® User courses, Technical and Exploration programs, Rebreather training for SCR and CCR systems, specialty-focused training and a full offering of technician and instructor programs. ANDI’s growth throughout the world is due to ANDI’s commitment to quality education, quality training materials, the highest operational standards and a dedication to customer service.

MISSION STATEMENT

ANDI International Slogan – “Dive The Future     

ANDI will be a committed Global Champion in all aspects of recreational and technical diving, dedicated to:

  • The health and well-being of divers, through innovative and educationally valid programs, adventurous techniques, inspired solutions, and optimal breathing gas selection and purity, that encourage safe participation by all with minimal risk.
  • The preservation of the aquatic environment for future generations.

We will continue to shape and lead the markets in which we choose to compete by:

  • Expanding our international presence through regional offices that encourage cultural diversity, local support and equal opportunity
  • Building a unique and expanding portfolio of diving-related products, knowledge and skills
  • Earning the loyalty of our customers through long-lasting beneficial relationships
  • Consistently meeting or exceeding our commitments – Continuously striving to further elevate our image as “the diving company that informed divers use”
  • Outperforming competitors in quality, innovation, and value.

We will be known for our high standards, integrity, reliability and the entrepreneurial growth opportunities we create within a participatory culture, so that members, staff and divers may fulfill their highest potential, and be rewarded for their affiliation with ANDI and its core values.

The History of ANDI

ANDI’s beginnings are a significant part of diving history

Ed Betts and Dick Rutkowski joined together in 1988 to form American Nitrox Divers, Inc. (“ANDI”). The purpose was to standardize Instructor Training, Sport Diver Training, and refill station dispensing procedures for Enriched Air Nitrox diving.

Dick Rutkowski retired from the USA’s National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with 33 years of service in 1985. He served as Deputy Diving Coordinator and was the founder and director of the NOAA Diving/Hyperbaric Training and Diver Treatment Facility. He began teaching what he called “Nitrox Diving” for sport divers in 1987 under his IAND company. He is directly responsible for introducing this major advancement into the Sport Diving Industry.

After contractually agreeing to close IAND and work exclusively with ANDI, Dick sold IAND to an ANDI Instructor Trainer, Tom Mount. Although both companies continued, this act caused the founders to acrimoniously separate. Tom Mount continued with IAND under the trade name IANTD.

Ed Betts was the co-founder of Island Scuba Centers, Inc. (ANDI # 1), of Freeport, New York in 1968. The Betts Family closed Island Scuba Centers in 1997 after 29 years of service to the local diving community. At that time it was Long Island’s oldest full-service scuba facility and had been one of the world’s first “high tech” dive centers.

Ed has extensive experience as a practical engineer. He designs and installs specialty gas production and delivery systems and hyperbaric chambers. Ed is founder and Executive Director of ANDI International and has authored numerous published articles, instructor manuals and student text books.

It was through Ed’s efforts and business acumen that so many of the standards and procedures that were developed by ANDI are now standard practices in the diving industry of today. In addition, Ed was the first individual to introduce SafeAir®, technical and rebreather diving to many parts of the world.

When the first production-run recreational rebreather was marketed by Dräger of Lubeck Germany, it was ANDI that produced the first training manual in English and German. Since then ANDI has closely followed the emerging rebreather market. As new production product has become available ANDI has produced manufacturer-approved training materials of the highest quality.

In 1991, ANDI trained and opened the first EAN facility outside of the USA. The concept and technology quickly spread as ANDI expanded throughout the world. ANDI’s concept of “optimal breathing gas technology”, at first shunned and criticized by the entire industry, has now become a standard part of diving practice.

As of October 2004, ANDI has training facilities in 68 countries and Regional Headquarters located in the United Kingdom, Israel, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Greece, Japan, Taiwan, Republic of Maldives, Latin America, Middle East and the home office in the United States of America. This growth throughout the world is due to ANDI’s commitment to quality education, quality training materials and our dedication to dealer service.

ANDI ORGANIZATION

ANDI Organization

ANDI ACHIEVEMENTS

The first instructor teaching manual for Enriched Air Nitrox diving. (1989)
The first instructor teaching manual for Technical / Decompression diving. (1991)
The first integrated teaching system for Enriched Air Nitrox diving. (1989)
The first entry-level Openwater Diver Course incorporating SafeAir / Nitrox for all dives. (1999)
The first entry-level OWD course using rebreathers. (Dolphin SCR in Germany – 2001)
The first Gas Blender training program, industry wide. (1990)
The first Gas Mixture Validation Record Book safety method. (1989)
The first Enriched Air Nitrox Service Technician training program, industry wide. (1990)
The first manufacturer-endorsed equipment standards. (1989)
The first manufacturer-endorsed rebreather training manual (Dräger Atlantis 1994)
The first Breathing Gas Purity standards for gases other than Air. (1989)
The originator of the “Oxygen Compatible Air” standard. (1990)
The first Enriched Air cylinder inspection sticker, color wrap decal and cylinder contents tag. (1989)
The only Oxygen / EAN compatibility designation sleeves and stickers. (1991)
The first international dealer network of Enriched Air Facilities. (1991)
The first multi-agency, multi-level professional liability insurance program. (1992)
The first insurable/insured Enriched Air Nitrox training program. (1990)
The first multi-language offering of textbooks & training materials for advanced diving technologies. (Hebrew, Chinese, Italian, Greek, German, Dutch, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Swedish, French, etc.)
The first international training agency to offer the full range of diver education. (1999)
The first training agency-supported Deco software – ANDI DivePlanner (1993) & ANDI-Gap 2005