Dive Agencies Pros and Cons
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You can expect that the basic standards for all will be similar..but how classes are taught tend to be somewhat different...NAUI tends to have a bit more flexibility...PADI tends to follow the book.
Truthfully, there is a far bigger difference in where the class is taught, the facilities the instructor uses and the amount of time the class takes.
Doing a three day PADI class in the tropics, where they do all the work in the ocean, can be very different from a two month class in the midwest.. with pool work and checkout dives in a lake..
don Francisco
Contributor
For non-professionals there isn't enough difference to be concerned about. All the agencies set fairly similar standards and any decent instructor will cover those and go beyond them based on what he/she feels needs more emphasis, according to local conditions, or what the students need extra help with.
When you're OW you'll have core knowledge and some degree of skill. Afterwards, your first 10-25dives will be where you reinforce and improve those skills to become a diver. Later yet you'll learn other skills as you experience various different dive conditions.
It's analgous to a student who takes drivers ed. The course teaches the basics and the instructor certifies that he isn't a danger to himself or others, but it's only with experience that he becomes a decent driver. And even an excellent driver with 20 years of experience driving on southern California roads may not be safe on his first encounter with winter conditions in the Northeast.
For those who want to become divemasters or instructors there might be differences in costs or ease of getting jobs or other issues, but you can cross that bridge when you come to it.
When you're OW you'll have core knowledge and some degree of skill. Afterwards, your first 10-25dives will be where you reinforce and improve those skills to become a diver. Later yet you'll learn other skills as you experience various different dive conditions.
It's analgous to a student who takes drivers ed. The course teaches the basics and the instructor certifies that he isn't a danger to himself or others, but it's only with experience that he becomes a decent driver. And even an excellent driver with 20 years of experience driving on southern California roads may not be safe on his first encounter with winter conditions in the Northeast.
For those who want to become divemasters or instructors there might be differences in costs or ease of getting jobs or other issues, but you can cross that bridge when you come to it.
There are big differences between the standards of different agencies.
The facts about entry level training for 3 agencies (NAUI, PADI & SEI):
Required dives:
PADI requires 4 OW SCUBA dives. NAUI requires 5 dives, those dives can either be 5 SCUBA dives or 4 SCUBA dives and one skin dive. SEI requires 1 skin dive and 4 SCUBA dives.
Training hours:
NAUI has a maximum of 8 hours training in any one day, PADI has no such maximum. SEI also has no maximum, but unlike other agencies who only have recommended time for the entire course (excluding open water training), SEI has both recommended and absolute minimums. PADI recommends 31 hours, NAUI recommends 14 hours classroom and 17 hours in the pool, while SEI recommends 32 hours with an absolute minimum of 24. SEI mandates additional testing during open water dives if the class is completed in 24 hours. SEI further requires at least 50% of class time is pool training. I find it interesting SEI includes the following statement in the standards:
"Instructors are encouraged to use traditional course times when possible. A full course of instruction has proven to yield divers that are able to fully enjoy this recreational activity. Instructors using weekend courses are encouraged to certify the students in another agency that allows a shortened course."
Instructor/student ratios
Instructor/student ratios are similar, but not the same. NAUI's ratio in the pool is 10/1, by adding 1 certified assistant (can be a DM or AI from any agency) 6 students may be added, by adding another certified assistant another 4 students may be added, by adding another certified assistant another 2 students may be added. Adding additional assistants results in no more students allowed. PADI's ratio is 10/1 with 4 additional students for each certified assistant (must be a DM or AI with PADI). I do not find an upper limit. SEI's ratio is 10/1 with 4 additional students for each certified assistant (must be a DM or AI with SEI). I do not find an upper limit.
In open water the ratios are less with all three agencies. NAUI's is 6/1, by adding an assistant 2 students may be added to a maximum of 10 students. PADI's is 8/1, by adding an assistant 2 students may be added to a maximum of 12 students. SEI is 6/1, by adding an assistant 2 students may be added to a maximum of 10 students.
Swimming requirements:
PADI requires either a 200 yd swim or a 300 yd snorkel. NAUI requires a swim, but no minimum distance, instead they use a minimum number of strokes. I forget the exact number 12 or 18 seem to stick with me, it's not much. Many NAUI instructors still require the old 225 yd swim. SEI requires a 200 yd swim to begin in water training and a 300 yd swim to complete the course. NAUI & SEI also require an underwater swim of 50 ft (SEI requires 25 ft before in water training can begin) without a pushoff. PADI has no similar requirement. NAUI & PADI both require a 10 minute float/tred. SEI requires a 10 minute float/tred to begin in water training and a 15 minute float/tred to complete the course.
Confined water skin diving requirements:
NAUI requires a 450 yd skin dive with some underwater swimming, but no set distance required. PADI has no similar requirement, but does recommend a 50 yd skin dive and recommends 50 yds underwater. SEI requires a 100 yd skin dive using at least 3 different kicks for at least 25 ft each and at least 25 ft each using 3 different kicks while underwater.
All three require surface dives, NAUI makes no mention of type in its standards, while PADI specifies head first dives, SEI requires head first and feet first surface dives.
SEI requires mask/snorkel recovery from the pool bottom swimming 25 ft underwater to the mask/snorkel where they are donned, the mask cleared and the snorkel cleared using either blast or displacement, neither PADI or NAUI do.
NAUI requires bringing a simulated unconscious diver from 10 ft, neither PADI or SEI do.
Confined water SCUBA requirements:
NAUI requires orally inflating your buddy's BC, PADI & SEI do not.
NAUI requires removing and replacing the mask on the surface, SEI and PADI do not.
NAUI requires removing and replacing fins on the surface, PADI & SEI do not.
PADI requires removing and replacing the SCUBA unit with minimal assistance, if required, underwater; SEI requires removal and replacement of the SCUBA unit underwater while sharing air; NAUI has neither requirement.
PADI & SEI require no mask breathing, NAUI does not.
PADI & SEI require breathing from a free flowing regulator, NAUI does not.
PADI requires disconnecting the LPI on the surface, SEI requires it underwater, NAUI has neither requirement.
PADI requires towing a simulated exhaused diver 25 yds, NAUI requires a 50 yd tow SEI requires towing a simulated unconscious diver while giving simulated rescue breathing, no specific distance is required.
NAUI & SEI require an emergency swimming ascent, PADI requires a simulated (horizontal) emergency swimming ascent.
PADI & SEI require snorkel/regulator exchanges, NAUI does not.
NAUI requires simulated in water rescue breathing, PADI does not, SEI requires it while towing a simulated victim.
NAUI & SEI require bringing a simulated unconscious diver from depth (10 ft is NAUI's requirement, the pool bottom is SEI's requirement), PADI does not.
SEI requires entering the pool holding all the gear and donning it underwater, NAUI & PADI do not.
SEI requires simulated water exit onto a small boat, NAUI & PADI do not.
SEI requires rescuing a simulated panicked diver on the surface, NAUI & PADI do not.
Open water SCUBA requirements:
NAUI requires figuring air consumption, PADI & SEI do not.
NAUI requires identifying common aquatic life, PADI & SEI do not.
NAUI & SEI require underwater communication, PADI's only mention of it in their standards is signaling ascents and descents.
PADI requires buoyancy control with oral inflation of the BC, NAUI & SEI do not.
PADI & SEI require snorkel/regulator exchanges, NAUI does not.
NAUI & SEI require students to be evaluated on their underwater swimming, PADI does not.
SEI requires students to be evaluated on their trim, NAUI & PADI do not.
Classroom topics:
NAUI & SEI require shallow water blackout to be taught, PADI does not.
PADI & SEI require reverse block be taught, NAUI does not.
PADI & SEI require exhaustion be taught, NAUI does not.
PADI requires carotid sinus reflex be taught, NAUI & SEI do not.
PADI & SEI require oxygen toxicity be taught, NAUI does not.
PADI & SEI require air contamination be taught, NAUI does not.
The facts about entry level training for 3 agencies (NAUI, PADI & SEI):
Required dives:
PADI requires 4 OW SCUBA dives. NAUI requires 5 dives, those dives can either be 5 SCUBA dives or 4 SCUBA dives and one skin dive. SEI requires 1 skin dive and 4 SCUBA dives.
Training hours:
NAUI has a maximum of 8 hours training in any one day, PADI has no such maximum. SEI also has no maximum, but unlike other agencies who only have recommended time for the entire course (excluding open water training), SEI has both recommended and absolute minimums. PADI recommends 31 hours, NAUI recommends 14 hours classroom and 17 hours in the pool, while SEI recommends 32 hours with an absolute minimum of 24. SEI mandates additional testing during open water dives if the class is completed in 24 hours. SEI further requires at least 50% of class time is pool training. I find it interesting SEI includes the following statement in the standards:
"Instructors are encouraged to use traditional course times when possible. A full course of instruction has proven to yield divers that are able to fully enjoy this recreational activity. Instructors using weekend courses are encouraged to certify the students in another agency that allows a shortened course."
Instructor/student ratios
Instructor/student ratios are similar, but not the same. NAUI's ratio in the pool is 10/1, by adding 1 certified assistant (can be a DM or AI from any agency) 6 students may be added, by adding another certified assistant another 4 students may be added, by adding another certified assistant another 2 students may be added. Adding additional assistants results in no more students allowed. PADI's ratio is 10/1 with 4 additional students for each certified assistant (must be a DM or AI with PADI). I do not find an upper limit. SEI's ratio is 10/1 with 4 additional students for each certified assistant (must be a DM or AI with SEI). I do not find an upper limit.
In open water the ratios are less with all three agencies. NAUI's is 6/1, by adding an assistant 2 students may be added to a maximum of 10 students. PADI's is 8/1, by adding an assistant 2 students may be added to a maximum of 12 students. SEI is 6/1, by adding an assistant 2 students may be added to a maximum of 10 students.
Swimming requirements:
PADI requires either a 200 yd swim or a 300 yd snorkel. NAUI requires a swim, but no minimum distance, instead they use a minimum number of strokes. I forget the exact number 12 or 18 seem to stick with me, it's not much. Many NAUI instructors still require the old 225 yd swim. SEI requires a 200 yd swim to begin in water training and a 300 yd swim to complete the course. NAUI & SEI also require an underwater swim of 50 ft (SEI requires 25 ft before in water training can begin) without a pushoff. PADI has no similar requirement. NAUI & PADI both require a 10 minute float/tred. SEI requires a 10 minute float/tred to begin in water training and a 15 minute float/tred to complete the course.
Confined water skin diving requirements:
NAUI requires a 450 yd skin dive with some underwater swimming, but no set distance required. PADI has no similar requirement, but does recommend a 50 yd skin dive and recommends 50 yds underwater. SEI requires a 100 yd skin dive using at least 3 different kicks for at least 25 ft each and at least 25 ft each using 3 different kicks while underwater.
All three require surface dives, NAUI makes no mention of type in its standards, while PADI specifies head first dives, SEI requires head first and feet first surface dives.
SEI requires mask/snorkel recovery from the pool bottom swimming 25 ft underwater to the mask/snorkel where they are donned, the mask cleared and the snorkel cleared using either blast or displacement, neither PADI or NAUI do.
NAUI requires bringing a simulated unconscious diver from 10 ft, neither PADI or SEI do.
Confined water SCUBA requirements:
NAUI requires orally inflating your buddy's BC, PADI & SEI do not.
NAUI requires removing and replacing the mask on the surface, SEI and PADI do not.
NAUI requires removing and replacing fins on the surface, PADI & SEI do not.
PADI requires removing and replacing the SCUBA unit with minimal assistance, if required, underwater; SEI requires removal and replacement of the SCUBA unit underwater while sharing air; NAUI has neither requirement.
PADI & SEI require no mask breathing, NAUI does not.
PADI & SEI require breathing from a free flowing regulator, NAUI does not.
PADI requires disconnecting the LPI on the surface, SEI requires it underwater, NAUI has neither requirement.
PADI requires towing a simulated exhaused diver 25 yds, NAUI requires a 50 yd tow SEI requires towing a simulated unconscious diver while giving simulated rescue breathing, no specific distance is required.
NAUI & SEI require an emergency swimming ascent, PADI requires a simulated (horizontal) emergency swimming ascent.
PADI & SEI require snorkel/regulator exchanges, NAUI does not.
NAUI requires simulated in water rescue breathing, PADI does not, SEI requires it while towing a simulated victim.
NAUI & SEI require bringing a simulated unconscious diver from depth (10 ft is NAUI's requirement, the pool bottom is SEI's requirement), PADI does not.
SEI requires entering the pool holding all the gear and donning it underwater, NAUI & PADI do not.
SEI requires simulated water exit onto a small boat, NAUI & PADI do not.
SEI requires rescuing a simulated panicked diver on the surface, NAUI & PADI do not.
Open water SCUBA requirements:
NAUI requires figuring air consumption, PADI & SEI do not.
NAUI requires identifying common aquatic life, PADI & SEI do not.
NAUI & SEI require underwater communication, PADI's only mention of it in their standards is signaling ascents and descents.
PADI requires buoyancy control with oral inflation of the BC, NAUI & SEI do not.
PADI & SEI require snorkel/regulator exchanges, NAUI does not.
NAUI & SEI require students to be evaluated on their underwater swimming, PADI does not.
SEI requires students to be evaluated on their trim, NAUI & PADI do not.
Classroom topics:
NAUI & SEI require shallow water blackout to be taught, PADI does not.
PADI & SEI require reverse block be taught, NAUI does not.
PADI & SEI require exhaustion be taught, NAUI does not.
PADI requires carotid sinus reflex be taught, NAUI & SEI do not.
PADI & SEI require oxygen toxicity be taught, NAUI does not.
PADI & SEI require air contamination be taught, NAUI does not.
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That's because there aren't any real differences at the basic level courses. Do a search and you'll find 100s of threads that always end up in a ruck about which is better. Brutal truth is at entry level they're all pretty much the same with the same basic skill set taught over the same sort of time period costing pretty much the same amount of money. They all give you a qualification which is pretty much the same as everyone else which is recognised by everyone else.
IslandFrog
Contributor
I believe the two biggest factors are the student and the instructor. As an outsider looking in on several classes it is plain that a good instructor will provide the proper training regardless of the certifying agency, but even that is tempered by the student. The student will get out of the training in direct proportion to what they put into it in terms of time, effort, and inquisitiveness.
Review the options available to you, but take a good look at the instructors as well as the certifying agency before you make your decision.
Regards!
Review the options available to you, but take a good look at the instructors as well as the certifying agency before you make your decision.
Regards!
Walter - great post! Off the top of my head I have a few minor classroom corrections for the NAUI side. I'll have to review the standards, but I know in the NAUI Scuba Diver book, and on the presentation that I give reverse block is taught, as well as air contamination. Now, is it required as per standards? I'll have to look it up. Also, I think one of the biggest advantages of SEI and NAUI is the accademic freedom to exceed standards that we have.
siikik
Contributor
Every time I teach (IT) I tell my students a few things. That I'm here to teach you and you are here to learn... and we both need to do our jobs. It doesn't take long to figure out who is there for "fun" and who is really interested in the subject matter. Although I admit I may have come by this insight through years of teaching.
Needless to say, it irritates me when instructors (of any kind) gloss over topics that are really important. It really is about the instructor... and just like I can tell about students... I can tell which instructor is there because they love what they do or because of the paycheck. I will not hesitate walking out on the latter.
Ken
Needless to say, it irritates me when instructors (of any kind) gloss over topics that are really important. It really is about the instructor... and just like I can tell about students... I can tell which instructor is there because they love what they do or because of the paycheck. I will not hesitate walking out on the latter.
Ken
Nice of Walter to do that....while there may be a few wording and specific items, it is a pretty good overall detail of the minimum standards... I personally don't know of any NAUI instructors that just teach to the minimum standards though, but I do know of PADI instructors that do...
I would guess that there are lots of PADI that don't...and some NAUI that just do the minimum.
I would guess that as a new potential diver, looking to pick the right agency...do they use the minimum standards as the criteria, or do they use the instructor??
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