Best agency for solo cert

[akscubaduck1]

Hello everybody,
I've been solo diving (400+) for 5 years.
I ran into a problem after a rescue of an instructor from out of state. I posed this question to one of my friends (a boat captain I go out with). With the proper equipment will you let me dive solo off your boat?
The answer was not without a solo cert. (insurance reasons)
I can understand that. I want the card so as not be paired up a diver that's not qualified or pads their qualifications.
What agencies would you recommend any why?
Any opinions would be greatly appreciated

 

[tc]

SDI- Because they are the only agency that offers it.

http://www.tdisdi.com/index.php?did=60&site=3

 

[knotical]

SDI- Because they are the only agency that offers it.

Well, almost. These folks appear to offer it: International Divers Association - IDA World Wide (click on Training Schedule)

 

[tc]

My bad- Guess I should have added a subnote- Agences that anyone has ever heard of. j/k






edit- and thats a 2003 training schedule, guess updating the ole website isn't high on the priority list.

 

[knotical]

Yeah, IDA is pretty small. I mentioned them because I happen to know one of their few instructors (although he doesn't teach solo - yet).

But now I've just found another. According to this page:
Scuba Diving School: PDIC International
PDIC is about to roll out their Solo course (look under News & Events).

 

[mark99]

I ran into a similar situation on a boat trip yesterday- a local boat I had dived from before but never solo. I almost fell over when at the end of the first dive briefing where they ask "does everyone have a buddy" because "we don't allow solo diving on the ***". But then they added (to me) "but you're OK because you have a tech certification". So my suggestion is if you're going to invest in a class you might consider some level of tech certification (if you haven't already) rather than wasting time in a class you're already way over-qualified for.

 

[akscubaduck1]

I ran into a similar situation on a boat trip yesterday- a local boat I had dived from before but never solo. I almost fell over when at the end of the first dive briefing where they ask "does everyone have a buddy" because "we don't allow solo diving on the ***". But then they added (to me) "but you're OK because you have a tech certification". So my suggestion is if you're going to invest in a class you might consider some level of tech certification (if you haven't already) rather than wasting time in a class you're already way over-qualified for.

Thanks for the info guys.
I work for a PADI shop. They don't teach tech diving.
The shop I dove with teaches GUE/DIR. While they have some very good ideas I don't agree with every thing they teach.
I've been diving since 1989. Raised 5 boats (biggest 40 feet).
IMO I am over-qualified for this cert, but all be damm if i'm going to get stuck with another idiot that some one says I have to dive with.
Thank You all for your opinions, It helps.
Dive Safe, Dive Often, Dive Prince William Sound, AK.

 

[akscubaduck1]

Oh by the way after the rescue they offered me a great deal on the class. 50$ plus processing fees. That seems like a good deal.

 

[Dark Wolf]

I got my solo cert through SDI. Only agency around here that offers it.

DW

 

[solarofthesix]

local shop here in Columbia, SC is offering the SDI course for $100 but requires you to have your own redundant air system. Gosh i want to do this!