Mixing different Certifying Agencies

[Wheatondiver]

I was originally certified through NAUI. I received AOW through PADI. I am looking to get Rescue through PADI. One of the LDS does not offer any PADI specialties. Another LDS teaches SDI and offer what appears to be all the specialties.

My question - Can I use the SDI specialties toward certification beyond rescue?

 

[mike_s]

"Specialities" are not required for Rescue.

Pretty much any agency will accept the other agency certificaiton for a prereq for any class that has a prereq. You should be ok....

Don't try to choose soley based on agency. A good instructor make the course worthwhile. NOT the Agency.

 

[timle]

More importantly what are your goals? What specialties do you want and why? What certification do you want beyond Rescue? The only "certification" I can think of beyond Rescue that requires specialties is Master Scuba Diver - and IMHO that is not something worth pursuing.

 

[TheHobster]

take Rescue, etc from someone you trust, REGARDLESS of agency

 

[tstormdiver]

Most all my certifications are through PADI (all the way through Matser Scuba Diver), I have Nitrox through IANTD & just recently became certified as a Dive Control Specialist through SSI. Up until the professional ranks, as was said above, the certifications are typically accepted from agency to agency. I must say that I also agree with what has been said above about finding a good instructor being tantamount.