Mixing certifications with agencies allowed?

[ericg753]

I'm PADI AOW certified, looking to get Nitrox certified next. There is a SDI/TDI shop that offers the Nitrox cert for WAY LESS than the PADI shop I got my AOW from.

Other than a cost factor, is it a problem to get certs from different agencies? Will dive shops generally turn me down if I want to do dives with them when vacationing, or is this a non-issue?

 

[Hickdive]

It is a non-issue. In fact I would say that experiencing different certification agency's methods and seeing how different instructors work is a positive advantage.

 

[CptTightPants21]

It is a non-issue. In fact I would say that experiencing different certification agency's methods and seeing how different instructors work is a positive advantage.

This...close thread.

 

[redacted]

It is a none issue up to a point. Good to go with any of the "usual" agencies. But you might have a problem with something like this one: https://rabbit.he.net/~divesda/SDAnitrox.html

 

[Wookie]

[sarcasm][thundering voice]The Scuba Police might have just a little something to say about this[/thundering voice][/sarcasm]

 

[mselenaous]

1-It's not about the agency, it's all about the quality of the instructor. The longer an instructor has been around. The more likely it is they have multiple agency creds under their belts.
2 - the more variety, the better IMHO. It rounds out your overall knowledge & skill level.
3- The longer you dive, the more likely it is you'll earn certs from a variety of instructors & agencies.
4-dont be a cheapskate. It's not about money. It's about the best possible training to keep you alive in a hostile environment. $50 or a $100 savings won't matter then.

Do yourself a favor and interview your potential instructors first and then decide.


Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[RJP]

Just don't put the two cards right next to each other in your logbook or wallet. They will create toxic fumes...

 

[jbomb001]

1-It's not about the agency, it's all about the quality of the instructor. The longer an instructor has been around. The more likely it is they have multiple agency creds under their belts.
2 - the more variety, the better IMHO. It rounds out your overall knowledge & skill level.
3- The longer you dive, the more likely it is you'll earn certs from a variety of instructors & agencies.
4-dont be a cheapskate. It's not about money. It's about the best possible training to keep you alive in a hostile environment. $50 or a $100 savings won't matter then.

Do yourself a favor and interview your potential instructors first and then decide.


Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

It's a Nitrox cert. Agency don't matter much hell instructor don't matter much either, read the book or watch the DVD or whatever they tell you to do. As long as u can do the math and run an analysis of your tank when u pick it up " and by God u better analyze it yourself " it's the only real way to know for sure what your getting. And you can figure your mod and po2.

Sent from my galaxy S5 Active.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

It's a Nitrox cert. Agency don't matter much hell instructor don't matter much either, read the book or watch the DVD or whatever they tell you to do. As long as u can do the math and run an analysis of your tank when u pick it up " and by God u better analyze it yourself " it's the only real way to know for sure what your getting. And you can figure your mod and po2.

Sent from my galaxy S5 Active.

This. The basic nitrox class is one class that should be available entirely online. Even the gas analysis could be done with a simulator. The basic nitrox class isn't about dive skills. It is purely about theory, math, and a set of guidelines to maximize safety.

 

[NAM001]

Very few agencies demand that you have their prereq certs to take a class. I really don't call them agencies however they are in fact an agency. `Most know who they are. If you take your padi OW card to them and they want you to take their course before the one you want, chances are they are on of them. Nitrox certification is a class that is not dependant on prior training relatoinship like aow is on ow.