Insta360 and Rubelis Launch New PADI Underwater Courses
Two new PADI Distinctive Speciality courses focus on underwater photography and presence-based diving training.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Photography
Insta360 has launched a PADI Distinctive Speciality course called X Series Diver, developed in collaboration with PADI. Separately, PADI has approved the Rubelis Presence Diver course, developed by Estonia-based Rubelis OÜ.
Why it matters
The courses bring underwater imaging and diver-behavior training into formal PADI instruction, giving divers structured paths to both filming and safer underwater awareness.
Insta360 cameras record underwater 360° footage at 50fps to 60m, while the Rubelis Presence Diver course uses 12 online theory chapters, two open-water dives at up to 18m, and a maximum of four students per instructor. The source does not state course fees, enrollment figures, or third-party assessments of either program's results.
The players
PADI
The Professional Association of Diving Instructors is a global diving certification organization that approves and issues Distinctive Speciality courses.
Insta360
Insta360 is a camera manufacturer known for 360-degree action cameras and AI-assisted video editing tools.
Rubelis OÜ
Rubelis OÜ is an Estonia-based company that developed the Rubelis Presence Diver training course.
The details
The X Series Diver course is organized into Preparation, Capture, Creation, and Sharing areas, and eligible PADI instructors train in camera setup, underwater handling, shooting techniques, and post-production workflows. The Rubelis Presence Diver course has students practise noticing breathing and tension, reading a buddy's state, observing marine life without contact, and handling problems using the sequence Stop, Breathe, Assess, Act.
Timeline
• Article on the two new PADI specialities published November 9, 2026.
Culture Shift
The X Series Diver course extends the Insta360 360-degree action camera line into formal PADI dive training, reflecting how consumer underwater imaging has moved from hobbyist use into structured instruction. Rubelis's Presence Diver course pairs that trend with a focus on diver awareness, a counterpoint to equipment-led training.
Divers interested in underwater filming can now pursue a formal PADI X Series Diver course using Insta360 camera setups. Those seeking structured awareness training can look for the Rubelis Presence Diver course, which is open to certified Open Water divers from any agency aged at least 12.
The takeaway
Divers who film underwater or want stronger in-water awareness now have new PADI-recognized options to build those skills through structured instruction.
Further reading
Explore more on Photography to see how underwater camera tools are changing diver training.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Divernet.
