NAUI vs PADI

[sergeantnic]

I just signed up for my OW certification course and it is NAUI. They also do PADI instruction but only during the week so the NAUI class was more conveniant.

Is there a large difference between the two? I see alot more stuff about PADI on the net than I do NAUI. Will I be at a disadvantage?

Also, a friend of mine is selling all his gear. I don't have specifics but it is MARES and includes 1st stage, 2 stage, octo, BC, guage console, and tank. He's asking $500 plus shipping. It's 2 years old and has about 50 dives on it from what he's told me. He did say his regulator and octo is stainless steel and cost him about $400 new.

Does this seem like a good price? I'll probably end up buying a new BC and computer if I end up really enjoying SCUBA but probably 6 months or so down the road.

Thanks for any info.

 

[Rick Murchison]

Have a look at some of these threads...
The regulator deal may be ok, may not... need more information.
Rick

 

[tedwhiteva]

I just signed up for my OW certification course and it is NAUI. They also do PADI instruction but only during the week so the NAUI class was more conveniant.

Is there a large difference between the two? I see alot more stuff about PADI on the net than I do NAUI. Will I be at a disadvantage?

Also, a friend of mine is selling all his gear. I don't have specifics but it is MARES and includes 1st stage, 2 stage, octo, BC, guage console, and tank. He's asking $500 plus shipping. It's 2 years old and has about 50 dives on it from what he's told me. He did say his regulator and octo is stainless steel and cost him about $400 new.

Does this seem like a good price? I'll probably end up buying a new BC and computer if I end up really enjoying SCUBA but probably 6 months or so down the road.

Thanks for any info.

Ask your friend when the gear was last serviced - supposed to be annually.

Welcome to the sport.

 

[Diver0001]

Is there a large difference between the two? I see alot more stuff about PADI on the net than I do NAUI. Will I be at a disadvantage?

Both PADI and NAUI are major players in the trianing market. There are some differences in the training approach but ultimately they're teaching you the same thing. The PADI system is very structured (standardized) and their course materials are very good. The NAUI system, on the other hand, leaves a lot of room for the instructor to add things to the course. If this turns out to be an advantage or not in a particular course depends entirely on the instructor.

R..

 

[Walter]

Is there a large difference between the two? I see alot more stuff about PADI on the net than I do NAUI. Will I be at a disadvantage?

Yes, there is a large difference. No. You will not be at a disadvantage.

 

[Hoosier]

If your are a certified DM or Instructor by either PADI or NAUI, which agency is more recognized in the market?

 

[Walter]

Both (and many others) are equally well recognized. Don't confuse bigger with well recognized.

 

[texdiveguy]

Both are good training agencies.

 

[Hoosier]

Thanks walter.

If then, what is market share in US? I know PADI is getting much bigger than NAUI more and more. Personally, I don't see and meet many NAUI instructors. Almost 90% is PADI...

Both (and many others) are equally well recognized. Don't confuse bigger with well recognized.

 

[Diver0001]

Thanks walter.

If then, what is market share in US? I know PADI is getting much bigger than NAUI more and more. Personally, I don't see and meet many NAUI instructors. Almost 90% is PADI...

In terms of market share, PADI still has a larger market than all of the other agencies combined. In the US, their market share is over 60% (world wide it's about 50%).

NAUI is #2 with about 15%.

Size says nothing about the quality of the training, though.

R..