Comments on PADI/SSI?

[Ga Diver]

I hope I don't open a can of worms or cudas! I was certified PADI AOW about 15 years ago, but stopped diving until August 2003 when I introduced my stepson to it. Since August we have been certified SSI OW,AOW,SPECIALTY Diver with 29 dives each. The Dive Shop we certified with also does snowsking, paintball,rollarblading. We purchased all our personal gear also. It seems when the cold weather hit, there was no time for divers.
There is another local shop that is smaller without all the pretty divegear and big items for sale that is PADI. I am thinking of crossing back over to PADI as the shop owner doesn't go high pressure sales, will talk to you all day about diving, and seems to be highly knowledgable about diving.
The questions I have to decide is 1. I can continue on with PADI by taking the next level course of Rescue Diver, but the SSI BoatDiving and NightDiving could not transfer over, which it doesn't matter with NightDiving anyway. 2. My stepson would have to start over as OW and then take the PADI AOW and their courses. That is a lot of wasted time and money already spent with SSI. Just trying to get a feel from some of the longtime divers as to what they might do and what their feelings are on training,service, and comparative prices for dive advancement between the two organizations. Thanks for any comments or suggestions.

 

[jonnythan]

Your stepson would not have to recertify to continue taking classes, if that's your goal. You can be SSI OW certified and NAUI AOW certified but still take the PADI Rescue course. What are your and your stepson's ultimate goals?

 

[Doc Intrepid]

AFAIK, you don't need to 'crossover' at all. If you're qualified to take a PADI course (and it would appear that you are), you are eligible to do so. The fact that your OW certification is with SSI does not preclude your taking a PADI AOW course.

Check with your shop owner. If he is the source of the requirement that your stepson start all over again, think three times. Try going to the PADI website for exact wording - the standards and criteria for courses are posted on the website.

 

[Arnaud]

Why not putting education on the side for a few months and focus on diving? With only 29 dives, I would not recommend you take the Rescue course immediately.

Since you have your gear, the only thing you really need from the store is air fill.

I know I'm not answering your question. Just making sure you don't get trapped in the pyramid scheme that the mainstream agencies love to run. While it's great to further one's education, the best way to improve one's diving is to dive.

 

[SterlingDiver]

Why not putting education on the side for a few months and focus on diving? With only 29 dives, I would not recommend you take the Rescue course immediately.

,,,,he is giving some good, practical advice.

Good Diving,

SterlingDiver