Choices PADI or PDIC?

[Tx_Jeff]

Which entity would you recommend for the following? If there is some other entity other than PADI or PDIC that you want to recommend feel free to put in.

1) Advanced open water
2) Rescue Diver
3) Master Diver
4) Instructor
and the big one
5) Technical

 

[Diver0001]

Generally speaking the instructor makes a bigger difference than the system. Look for a good instructor. For technical I would tend to look a little more closely at which agencies have a proven track record of training technical divers and shorten the list that way first. Then look for a good instructor.

 

[Diver0001]

BTW, while I"m at it, I've heard that PDIC has an excellent rescue course. Anyone out there taken it?

 

[simbrooks]

Have you looked at NAUI, SSI, YMCA, IANTD, SDI/TDI, GUE (kind of, but not the same more basic courses), and i am sure there are others. With tech do you mean deep/deco tech or cave/deco tech?

 

[simbrooks]

I heard the YMCA Slam course was good, dont know if it is much better than the other agencies versions though.

 

[Tx_Jeff]

Have you looked at NAUI, SSI, YMCA, IANTD, SDI/TDI, GUE (kind of, but not the same more basic courses), and i am sure there are others.

Besides PADI and PDIC, TDI is the only other one that I am positive is in my area. I would have to see about YMCA.

With tech do you mean deep/deco tech or cave/deco tech?

For sure deep/deco, and cave/deco my be an option I just haven't thought to much about it.

 

[gj62]

Find an instructor that you like for the first 3 - agency is of minimal importance since your card will be honored by the others. You could even jump around (if, for example, you found out you *didn't* like your instructor).

As far as #4 is concerned - why do you want it? If it's just to have the card, get whichever one you like. By that time, you'll be able to decide if you like the agency you are with, but unless you believe you can make it instructing solo, or are opening your own shop, be aware that PADI, simply because of their size, offers the most job openings.

Once you get to technical, you can evaluate your needs for the specific areas you wish to focus on...

 

[Walter]

First, I wouldn't go strickly by agency, I'd interview instructors.

Everything else (course content) being equal (like it ever is), I'd go with YMCA. I would pass on the AOW and take Silver Advanced instead.

For "technical" you really need to define what you want to learn. "Technical" is pretty much a meaningless term. Are you looking to learn cave? mixed gas? wreck? What exactly do you want to do?

 

[Tx_Jeff]

For "technical" you really need to define what you want to learn. "Technical" is pretty much a meaningless term. Are you looking to learn cave? mixed gas? wreck? What exactly do you want to do?

cave maybe
mixed yes
wreck yes
deep yes

 

[Karel]

It depends also on where you are.....
I have a PDIC diveschool (| Onderwater in de West) we teach all courses and most specialties, including extreme rescue. But i am located at Curacao...
I agree with one of the comments : The instrucor makes the course, not the organisation.