PADI or SSI to go PRO

[tstormdiver]

In your OP, you indicate an intention to go to the Instructor level, but also make reference to the opportunities available BEFORE the Instructor level. In the SSI system, it appears (from the SSI website) that Dive Cons can teach the Try Scuba Diving (pool) course, whereas, in the PADI system, a DM cannot independently teach Discover Scuba Diving. Rather, an AI level of certification is required. A small difference, but it may be important to your particular direction.

Ultimately, if what you want to do is teach Open Water Scuba courses, and beyond, then the goal should be Instructor-level credentials, and the small agency-specific differences in entry-level professional opportunities are not that important.

SSI's Dive Control Specialist level is a combination of Dive Master & Assitant Instructor. Dive Cons Can conduct "Try Scuba" sessions in the pool, do skills updates for divers who've been out of the water for a while & can teach snorkeling & a few select specialties.

Where PADI Dive Masters & Instructors can teach independently of a dives shop or resort, SSI Dive Cons & Instructors must be affilated with a Dive shop or resort.

There are plusses & munises with either way.

 

[knfevg]

My intention is to get up to a level on which I can teach OWD and AOWD in either of the systems (SSI or PADI). As I understood from the last massage by Tstormdiver, in PADI I can work as a freelancer while in SSI I must work with a club?
In this case, I dont see any reason going with SSI....

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Just be aware that even though you can teach as an independent you do not get the same support as a shop would. The best course of action is to go with an agency that will allow you to teach the best way that will benefit your students. What kind of divers do you want to turn out? What is your idea of a safe, competent diver and which system is best suited to your idea of that? Some agenices will allow you add to the course and test on that material. Others encourage you to go above and beyond the standards. Whatever way you go or with whatever agency remember that the person who should benefit the most by your training and experience is the student.

 

[knfevg]

Jim, generally I agree with you, but in the case of OWD and AOWD the differences are minimal.
I really think that for the first steps in diving, it really doesn't matter which system is used or where you teachers was certified. The QUALITY of the teacher, his patience and his level of mastering diving is what important. And this, NONE of the agencies can give you or take from you

 

[Jim Lapenta]

You need to do a little more research. There are some major differences in OW and AOW training between agencies. Some have standards that are way above others for basic certs and include a great deal more information and skills.

 

[knfevg]

Jim, you are a profession and probably have a much sharper eye than I do, but from my experience (I'm padi certified, my wife is SSI and I attended her training), I didn't see any MAJOR differances....Once again, it's all about the teacher....
Maybe PADI allows more "freedom" and SSI more "strict" on the content, but at the end, the material that you learn and train on is very similar (I'm not talking about "Thailand divers" that get AOWD in 2-3 days)

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I'm not talking about either one. There are more than two agencies. Look at NAUI, CMAS, BSAC, or SEI standards. These may not be available to you unless you go to Europe though.

 

[knfevg]

First of all, last time I checked, Israel was still a part of Europe
But I got your point.
Other organizations might provide a better/different training but the situation in Israel with them is as follows:
1. SSI is the biggest one
2. Padi is the second
3. One club is SDI/TDI (mostly TDI)
4. One or two clubs are IANTD (several freelancers)
5. The Israeli diving association is a member of CMAS and offers trainings also. They have several clubs...

 

[Tortuga68]

First of all, last time I checked, Israel was still a part of Europe

Because they take part in the Eurovision Song Contest?

 

[mitsuguy]

in the PADI system, a DM cannot independently teach Discover Scuba Diving.

Actually, once a PADI DM completes the DSD Leader Assessment, an active, insured, PADI DM can perform DSD's in the pool at a ratio of 4:1, or confined open water at a ratio of 2:1