How do new divers pick which agency to go through?

[Walter]

Most potential divers pick the cheapest, fastest class available. A rare few care about quality.

 

[String]

I'd venture at that stage most dont KNOW about quality rather than care. They dont know enough to realise standards vary or how.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I came across a load of people this summer who "did my padi" and on talking to them thought padi was the only agency and somehow in charge of world scuba diving for example.

I know some instructors who think the same thing ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[95yj]

Unfortunately, I don't think most new divers do much thinking about which agency or shop. It's more a necessary evil they have to go through to get into the water. My opinion is that the agency doesn't really matter all that much for two reasons. First off if you want to further your education, most agencies will accept another agencies cert as a prerequisite to a higher course. Second, the actual instructor is much more important than whos course they are teaching. If the instructor takes the time and effort into getting the students to learn something rather than 4 tests, 4 pools, 4 waters, here's your C-card, then that student is much better off than most of the others out there.

Much more importantly, instructors and dive shops should preach taking advanced classes and let their students know that OW is just your basic foot in the water. My opinion is that the rescue class should almost be a requirement for anyone who wants to keep diving. The knowledge learned in rescue goes a long way towards making an individual more self reliant in the water and therefore safer and less likely to have an accident.

 

[cudachaser]

I once heard of an unofficial poll where several different agencies were listed; ie NAUI, NASE, PADI, YMCA etc were listed. People completely unfamiliar with diving were asked who would the choose to be trained thru...YMCA came out by far the winner...reason...most everyone has heard about the "Y"

 

[eckybay]

I did my OW through SSI - like many suggested on this thread, because that's what the shop I used was associated with. After reading this board and learning more about scuba in general, I'm happy with the instruction I got. Granted, not everything that could have been included in an OW course was, but from reading others accounts of recent OW classes, it was still a good class.

I plan on taking my AOW with a YMCA instructor this summer. I don't ever plan on going beyond rec diving, so I'm going more with the instructor I like than what name the card says.

 

[Walter]

I plan on taking my AOW with a YMCA instructor this summer. I don't ever plan on going beyond rec diving, so I'm going more with the instructor I like than what name the card says.

I have a suggestion. Ask for the Silver Advanced class instead of the AOW class. It is much better. You won't get a whole lot from the AOW class, but the Silver Advanced is excellent.

 

[eckybay]

I have a suggestion. Ask for the Silver Advanced class instead of the AOW class. It is much better. You won't get a whole lot from the AOW class, but the Silver Advanced is excellent.

Thanks for the advice - I'll bring it up with the instructor.

 

[Walter]

You're welcome, it has twice as many dives and more academics.

 

[tangfish]

I've been PADI all the way (to DM), but that being said, I'm very impressed when I pick up an SSI or NAUI manual. Instruction is very important, but don't forget that this only serves as the basis for what you'll learn as a certified diver. Going in and sticking with the right mentality (safety and fun in mind) is the most important thing. Even by asking this question, you're obviously on the right track