Our latest featured video was created by PADI Instructor and Salty Blue Scuba founder, Mr. John A. El Khoury, and combines stunning underwater footage with an inspiring interview with PADI Course Director, Mr. Gary Makdessian.
As PADI reaches its 50th Anniversary this year, Mr. Makdessian also celebrates 35 years in diving. In this interview, he tells his story on learning to dive, teaching others to dive and the importance of the Red Sea. He also shares his perspective on PADI courses and training materials, how they’ve evolved into the digital age, and what this means for today’s divers.
“The sea is not our environment, we are guests to the sea. And, like when you go and visit a friend, you have to respect his environment, you have to respect his house…we have to respect the sea.”
Mr Makdessian also highlights the importance of ocean conservation and over-fishing and, in particular, that of sharks, and how younger people are the future not only to the dive industry but to to ocean protection.
“The young generation are the generation who are starting to be much more aware of the environment and protection of the environment. These are the future instructors, future divers, future Course Directors. These are the people who are going to find ways to save our seas.”
Click on the video above to watch the full interview, or visit Salty Blue Scuba to find out more.