If you have been to PADI website or read the training bulletins and Undersea Journals, you should have already come across PADI’s new ReActivate Program. It is essentially the new and updated version of the Scuba Review. If you have not completed a PADI IDC lately, you may not have actually encountered the complete PADI ReActivate yet, so here are the answers to a couple of the most commonly asked questions about it.

What is PADI ReActivate?

The PADI ReActivate Program is a semi replacement for the Scuba Review and it consists of 2 parts.

1. A fully Digital Knowledge Review – Online for Computers, or the Interactive Reactivate Touch for tablets or mobile devices.

2. In-water Skills – Much like a scuba review except now, they are more tailored to the diver’s needs, by conducting an interview with the diver to evaluate how comfortable the diver is, as well as to discuss what skills and techniques they want to practise.

The skills that must be conducted are:

  • Mask removal and replacement
  • Neutral buoyancy and hover
  • Emergency weight drop
  • Alternate air source ascent, with the diver acting as both donor and receiver
  • Any other skills the diver would like to practice, or the dive professional feels they should

Upon completion of the PADI ReActivate Program, we can issue a replacement certification card that shows the original certification date plus the new ReActivate Date.

Is the PADI Scuba Review no longer Valid?

No, it is still valid as a PADI Program for now, just that it is no longer in the Instructor Manual. It is meant to replace in Scuba Review in all ways, except that:

The PADI ReActivate minumum age is 13
This is due to child protection laws in the USA regarding the internet.

So hang on to your Instructor Manual 2014, the Scuba Review is still perfectly valid and in fact necessary for refreshing the skills of divers below the age of 13, until further notice.

ReActivate Thru Date
ReActivate Thru
What does ReActivate Thru Date Mean?

This date is more of a reminder to diver that basic knowledge and skills deteriorate over time so if they have dived in some time, they should consider taking a continuing education course to brush up their skills with a PADI Pro, or even take ReActivate again. PADI Certification Cards DO NOT EXPIRE.

Should I refuse Diving Services to a Diver when it is beyond the Reactivate Thru Date?

No, PADI Certification Cards DO NOT EXPIRE.

You can use this as a tool to access diver readiness along with the normal logbook and certification card checks and asking the diver directly about their recent dive activity.