It’s a fairly complex problem. Diving is almost entirely self regulated and while there are certification bodies like PADI/SDI, they are essentially industry gr

It’s a fairly complex problem. Diving is almost entirely self regulated and while there are certification bodies like PADI/SDI, they are essentially industry groups that exist to legitimize the hobby. That isn’t to say there aren’t standards or that most shops require proof of certification when renting you gear(primarily for insurance/legal liability reasons), but if you went online, bought gear/tanks, many if not most dive shops would fill air without any checks. There is also a lot of non reputable people in the industry, focused on trying to make money on a hobby with low margins. Many don’t care when your last dive was or even if you know what your doing, so long as you have your certification card. A diver with 5 dives 10 years ago on a cruise in their eyes just as qualified as someone with thousands of dives. Hell, I remember once being with a friend who specialized in underwater EOD and they wouldn’t let him dive without his PADI or SDI card. There are such varying degrees of professionalism, equipment maintenance, policies and knowledge that comparing to skydiving is really hard.