Abstract for: A Simulation Model of the World Underwater Federation's (CMAS) Sustainable High-Quality Training System

For generations of scuba divers, the World Underwater Federation (CMAS) has sustainably maintained an effective training and certification system - despite a continuous flux of experienced people leaving and inexperienced beginners entering the organization. This paper focuses on analyzing the structure of the training system as it is described in the CMAS standards. To understand, why quality does not decline when experienced members begin leaving the organization. The full modeling process has been applied: problem statement, reference mode, Causal-Loop-Diagram as dynamic hypothesis, Stock-and-Flow Simulation model. Two scenarios are presented: one in which sustainability is not achieved, and one which does achieve a sustainable state. The model provides insight which causes a change of the goal for the system. The structure suggests a generalization to be further inquired: The critical elements for maintaining a high-quality training system for a certain skill sustainably are neither people who have mastered the particular skill nor people who teach it, but rather people who have mastered the skill and teach people who have already mastered the skill how to teach it to others. How can the structure of a training system be structured so that it sustainably maintains high-quality. How does the context of the World Underwater Federation support/demand a high-quality training system?