Differences between PADI and SSI

[mig_diver]

I know this can quickly become a "mines better than yours" argument but I visited a new LDS today and the owner and I got to talking. I told him I was due to start my PADI DM course next week, he asked "why PADI", and eventually the conversation lead to him pretty much bad mouthing PADI and saying that SSI was much better.

Since I don't have any experience with SSI course I was wondering if you guys could fill me in on the pros and cons for both PADI and SSI. Is one better than the other, or is it mostly personal preference?

I'm currently living in Australia but would like to take my diving overseas and work as a DM/ instructor in different countries while I travel. Any suggestions?

 

[Walter]

SSI requires you to teach through a shop, PADI doesn't. Other than that, they seem pretty similar to me.

 

[terrapinken]

I suggest that you go with the person that seems like the kind of Dive Pro you want to be - regardless of certification agency. I have seen some BAD instructors from many agencies. It is up to the instructor to be good. All certification agencies have good systems.

 

[Papa Steve]

I took my OW through PADI and all the specialty classes towards my AOW through SSI. Though it's not exactly an apples to apples comparison I really couldn't see much difference. It's probably more about the instructor than the agency.
One small difference, and I'm not sure what the letter of the law is on this between agency and LDS policies, but with PADI we had to purchase books for each student. With SSI, we (my wife/buddy and I), saved a little money from only having to purchase one set of books bewteen us.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I know this can quickly become a "mines better than yours" argument but I visited a new LDS today and the owner and I got to talking. I told him I was due to start my PADI DM course next week, he asked "why PADI", and eventually the conversation lead to him pretty much bad mouthing PADI and saying that SSI was much better.

Since I don't have any experience with SSI course I was wondering if you guys could fill me in on the pros and cons for both PADI and SSI. Is one better than the other, or is it mostly personal preference?

I'm currently living in Australia but would like to take my diving overseas and work as a DM/ instructor in different countries while I travel. Any suggestions?

Your last statement really answers your question ... you'll have a much easier time finding PADI shops and dive operations than SSI ones to work for ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[shotthebreeze]

I was just comparing my PADI book to a friend's SSI book for the OW course and the SSI book is much more detailed. I learned a few things while reading the SSI book that we didn't go over in my PADI course. Like this for instance: I never recall reading in my PADI OW book that you might run into problems if you descend more than 60 ft/minute, but it came up in the SSI manual.

But, its all up to you and who you feel more comfortable with as a dive instructor. If you have the opportunity, go speak with both a PADI and an SSI instructor and see what you think. Word of mouth also helps. If you hear good things, that means something as well...

But then again, you said you're going for your DM, so you're pretty much sold on PADI. It's all personal preference...

 

[24940]

As was stated, SSI requires a shop affiliation, but this does not mean you have to physically teach through a shop. You could be affiliated with a SSI shop in Oregon and teach in Florida, for example.

Additionally, the SSI rating is Dive Control Specialist and is a combination of DM and AI.

 

[ruready7]

I was just comparing my PADI book to a friend's SSI book for the OW course and the SSI book is much more detailed. I learned a few things while reading the SSI book that we didn't go over in my PADI course. Like this for instance: I never recall reading in my PADI OW book that you might run into problems if you descend more than 60 ft/minute, but it came up in the SSI manual.

But, its all up to you and who you feel more comfortable with as a dive instructor. If you have the opportunity, go speak with both a PADI and an SSI instructor and see what you think. Word of mouth also helps. If you hear good things, that means something as well...

But then again, you said you're going for your DM, so you're pretty much sold on PADI. It's all personal preference...

I dont remember that info in my PADI book either but I do know that my instructor mentioned it several times during the classes.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

I am an SSI instructor and I suggest you do not go SSI as a pro unless you know you'll be working for a SSI shop. I think the SSI divecon course is more complete than the Padi DM course but who cares, if you aren't aligned with a shop you won't work.

 

[pir8]

Go with whom you are going to work for/with.