Go with PADI?

[Derek M.]

I just turned 13. I want to get certified by this one dive shop and it is the only one that is close to me except the Y. You get PADI certified and the only reason I am asking is because I have heard some bad things like overpricing and other things. Should I still get PADI certified or find another place?

 

[drrich2]

Hi, Derek:

There are a number of training agencies out there, and many different instructors. Many people will tell you that the instructor matters much more than the agency, and it's true the dedication and skill of the instructor matter a great deal.

Now, amongst the agencies, there are some different training philosophies. Some tend to turn out divers (in their basic open water course) who for the most part are capable of handling good conditions; warm tropical Caribbean waters with good-to-excellent visibility, either shore diving or a charter boat with the group led around (& back to the boat) by a dive master, with minimal current and no big issues with tide, either. Local gravel quarries re-purposed as scuba sites are also good options. Such divers may go on to take additional formal coursework or train under seasoned mentors informally to build their skills for more challenging environments. This breaks training into sequential pieces, the 'bite-sized' approach, and is popular with many divers. This is what I did, basically. I think PADI, NAUI & SSI could be seen as agencies who train dives much this way (my only direct experience is with PADI).

Some agencies prefer longer, more demanding courses covering more material (such as Rescue training) in greater depth for the basic open water course. Such training may make you a more highly skilled diver capable of greater independence when you get your open water (or equivalent) card, but you will have to learn and do more to earn it. I believe examples of this approach include CMAS and GUE (the Fundamentals course).

I don't know how all your age will factor into it.

Many ScubaBoard members with a great deal more experience & insight into this than I have will doubtless chime in, and some may correct inaccuracies or distortions in what I've said, but I think my little summary is a reasonably objective snapshot of the very bare basics, & I hope it helps you.

Richard.

 

[Derek M.]

Hi, Derek:


Now, amongst the agencies, there are some different training philosophies. Some tend to turn out divers (in their basic open water course) who for the most part are capable of handling good conditions; warm tropical Caribbean waters with good-to-excellent visibility, either shore diving or a charter boat with the group led around (& back to the boat) by a dive master, with minimal current and no big issues with tide, either. Local gravel quarries re-purposed as scuba sites are also good options. Such divers may go on to take additional formal coursework or train under seasoned mentors informally to build their skills for more challenging environments. This breaks training into sequential pieces, the 'bite-sized' approach, and is popular with many divers. This is what I did, basically.

I wouldn't exactly say living in Massachusetts would teach how to handle warm waters and calm currents. When I go snorkeling where I live it is like 66 F at the hottest time of the year. Plus with all the boats and almost constant weather there will be a strong constant current. Still I think that PADI sounds ideal because my dad got certified by the same exact guy and he has dived as deep as 130 ft which is more than enough for me. Thank you again.

 

[drrich2]

Derek:

66 Degrees means you'll be a wet suit, most likely. Be mindful some people go do their 4 checkout dives on vacation in the tropical Caribbean or Florida. A gravel quarry scuba site would provide no current water, perhaps with fine visibility and no need for much navigation skill to get back to a dive boat, but in your area would be cold.

In fact, in a still water bodies, warmer water and colder water separate out into layers. At a local quarry in KY, I can dive in the first 15 feet of water in summer with no wet suit and feel fine. Down around 15 - 20 feet, wow, big chill.

If you do all your training and checkout dives locally, and your instructor doesn't use a quarry, then I imagine you may well get some 'local conditions exposure' such as how to deal with current.

With PADI OW, they recommend not going over 60' deep on OW certification (granted many people do), 100' on Advanced OW cert., & 130' on Deep Diver cert. (130' being the recommended for no decompression recreational diving).

Here is a thread that discusses the issue of it being recommended sub-adult divers stick to shallower depths.

Richard.

 

[peterbj7]

Derek - your important question is whether you should go with PADI, as it would be the most convenient. I would say yes, so long as you (and your parents probably) think the shop is good and will offer good training appropriate for you. The price charged has nothing to do with the agency (eg. PADI) and everything to do with the shop itself, so if the price quoted up front is acceptable and you're confident they're being honest and won't add lots of extras later when you come to pay then go with them.

As others have said or implied, the quality of training you get will depend largely on the instructor and not the agency (s)he is teaching for. If you have any choice in the length of the training, choose training over a longer period of time - you'll probably learn more. Does the shop operate a dive club? If so, why not go along to a meeting and see whether it's a friendly helpful affair or just a way of getting more money from people.

Whatever agency you start your training with, once you have that card it'll be recognised by all other shops and agencies. So if later (after this course has completed and you have your card) you decide you'd like to continue training with a different agency that will be no problem at all. And if you go on holiday to warm water (I recommend this!) don't worry whether the shop you go to will recognise your card - it will.

 

[vladimir]

I just turned 13. I want to get certified by this one dive shop and it is the only one that is close to me except the Y.

I got certified by the YMCA when I was 15--it was a great place to get training. They recently shut down their scuba program, but the high standards and much of the instructor corps, from what I understand, continue on in the new SEI agency. Stop in at the Y and ask, or PM Jim Lapenta or Walter here on Scubaboard.

 

[alcadhrim]

I've personally been certified by PADI in North Western Europe, in conditions of cold water and bad visibility. If you're certified in a demanding area you will have a higher level of training than if you're certified in a swimming-pool like area, it is obvious.
But even if you're certified in those conditions, if you're welle trained, you'll know your limitations and the rigth way to improve your skill when diving in demanding conditions.

The real point is not PADI or not PADI, the real point is the OWSI quality.

 

[Walter]

Find the best class in your area (it might not be at a shop). Interview instructors, use these questions.

 

[Derek M.]

OK thank you everyone. I have decided I will go with PADI certification. I have another question though. My dad hasn't been scuba diving for almost 20 years. He does want to go back into it though. Does he have to go back and take the lessons again(which he seems to want to do) or can he just get a refresher course. Thank you all again.

 

[tstormdiver]

After a 20yr hiatus, it wouldn't hurt a thing for him to go back through a full course. Even though many of the basic skills are the same or similar, a lot (technology- wise) has changed over the years. Sure,... he may do fine with just a refresher course, but if he wants to go back through, it could only be for his betterment. It may even make it fun to go through with you, since it looks like you guys will probably be buddies. That way you are both "on the same page" in regards to skills & emergency procedures, when you dive together.