Need some helping figuring out

[bball7405]

Hi,

Im just a SSI certified diver (open water only), but I have a few questions pertaining to advancement. I want to (one day) be a instructor. At the moment I am certified through SSI and I want to continue my advancement through them, but I want to eventually be an instructor through PADI (for the sole purpose of being able to be independent of a dive shop b/c I don't own/want to own/or work for one). My question is: Can I get all my specialites, advanced open, rescue, etc. through SSI and then go get certified as a PADI instructor or maybe both? I just need to get some clarity. Thanks guys!

Bob

 

[knotical]

PADI will welcome you at any of several levels. You do not need any specialties.

For example, you can enter the PADI Divemaster program with a Rescue certification from another agency.

Crossovers can be done at higher levels, but doing a Divemaster Course would be the easiest way to absorb the “PADI way”.

 

[SharkDiver36]

My advice is to stick with the Agency you're gonna eventually get your instructor cert thru for a couple of reasons.

1) Unlearn skills - Not every shop and agency do all the skills the same, nor do they teach all of the same skills. Having to unlearn and relearn skills would make things more difficult for you I would think.

2) S&P - Standards and Policies ...same reasons...unlearn and relearn, confusion between the different agencies.

3) More complete understanding of courses leading from one cert to the next - Teaching in any agency brings up other certs and what they entail. You will be better qualified to talk about the classes and exactly what they do and you'll be able to relate to the students much better because you went thru the EXACT same course.


Yes, any agency will take the others certs and cross you over to move up. I don't know though if it's the best thing to do though unless a specific cert you're looking for isn't taught by that agency in the area and then you're more or less forced to go to the agency that does.

My advice though is to stick to the agency that you will end up getting your Instructor Cert from....

 

[Walter]

Interestingly enough there are some PADI instructors who feel PADI is not supportive of independent instructors. There are a whole bunch of agencies, perhaps you should investigate this more before choosing an agency.

 

[jimdiverman]

Interestingly enough there are some PADI instructors who feel PADI is not supportive of independent instructors. There are a whole bunch of agencies, perhaps you should investigate this more before choosing an agency.

I never heard that before. I am working on divemaster through PADI and tech on the NAUI side. Should I not go to a PADI IDC if I want to be an independent instructor?

 

[bball7405]

thanks guys...Like i said the reason was going to choose PADI was b/c of the ability to be independent. I'm going to do a lot of research on this don't worry as I have a lot of time to decide. Walter or anyone else, What other agencies allow independent instructors? I have attempted to search the net, but am coming up empty.

 

[muddiver]

My advice though is to stick to the agency that you will end up getting your Instructor Cert from....

I fully agree. Why change boats half way across the stream? If you want to teach PADI, then learn PADI.

 

[Walter]

Almost all agencies allow independent instructors - YMCA, NAUI..........if I'm not mistaken, only 2 do not.

 

[Garrobo]

bball7405: Like owning a tractor trailer, be sure to have a bunch of money in the bank to support yourself while you are instructing.