First timer! First post!

[ARC5005]

Hello,

I'm Adam. This is my first post on the board.

So, I'm heading over to Thailand this July & August 2013. I was planning on attending a scuba diving certification in Koh Tao, and was thinking of getting it done at Roctopus Dive (Diving Koh Tao | SCUBA Dive Thailand | Roctopus). I've done two scuba discover dives before, and I've always wanted to get my scuba certification since I was a little kid. I've been interested in marine wildlife, conservation, and I actually just graduated with my bachelors in Environmental Science. I was hoping to eventually have a focus in marine studies/conservation in my graduate studies, and want to get a lot of scuba diving practice in before I even head into my graduate studies (which won't be for another year or two). I'll just be working and traveling over the next year, so I hope to scuba in many locations throughout the next year!

So here's to my first few questions:
1) They (Roctopus) uses SSI Diving. I guess my first question is if I get my OW & Advanced with SSI, can I eventually get other certifications that are not through SSI? For example, I eventually would like to go cenote or cave diving, and may need/be interested in cave diving certifications.
2) In addition, it seems that a lot of Caribbean places use PADI, as well as a bunch of the scuba joints I checked on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand. Can I still dive with these companies if I have an OW SSI certification?

I think that is it for now. Just some general questions on if choosing to go through SSI is okay.

Thank you!

 

[DivemasterDennis]

The answer to both of your questions is yes. Nearly every dive concession will honor any certification from a recognized agency, which includes SSI. Certifications from more than one agency are common. No worries there.
DivemasterDennis

 

[Steve_C]

There are a few agencies that are not recognized and not part of the standard. But SSI, NAUI, PADI, SDI, and several others, including several not in the US, are recognized. Just check if it is a recognized agency if you ever want to take a course from one you have not heard of.

 

[rick00001967]

first off......congrads on choosing your direction in school. good luck with that !!

if you choose an ssi training center i am sure you will be happy. the advanced level is far superior than the padi advanced level as you must complete 4 full specialty courses with ssi for the aow rating.
i too have an interest in cavern diving. although i don't think i will ever get into full cave diving. i was lucky enough to dive the mexican cenotes a few times and do my ssi cenote specialty as well. you can pursue your cave cert through ssi but in reality, you will most likely find it easier to locate either a padi or tdi instructor for that type of training. at least in mexico anyway.
but no matter which agency you choose for the open water training, you will certainly be able to do the cave diving training with any agency you choose