NSS-CDS vs NACD

[Druschel]

Hello Everyone!
I have been a diver for over 13 years, I enjoy technical diving and have recently decided to start my certifications in cavern/cave diving. This is rather touchy subject being my first post, but would like to enter this new phase of my dive education armed with as much information and opinions as possible.
I am trying to determine which certification agency:
A) Is internationally know and considered the *Gold Standard*
B) Which training program is the most thorough in training and education
Per the limited information I can find online NSS-CDS seems to be the older of the 2 agencies, but as for level of training, both seem very well respected. I would hate to spend the investment in training to find the agency I picked has limitations either internationally or domestically.
Thank you for your time and comments.

 

[ucfdiver]

It's a non issue.

 

[Doc Harry]

The individual instructor is infinitely more important than the certifying agency. If you're looking to get cave certified via the most rigorous pathway, try GUE.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Doesn't matter which agency, they both do great things, and both have some retarted political problems. CDS does have ownership over a few sites though - albeit, they won't help you much in the beginning stages.

Just because you go through the training in one agency, doesn't mean you can't be a member of the other. Lots of people go through membership of both.



Find a good instructor, then do whatever you want with your money afterwards, which you should also consider the WCDC and the NFSA(neither are agencies, but both do alot for springs/sinks).

 

[BabyDuck]

non-issue, as above. i'm pretty sure nss is older than either, but that nacd is older than nss-cds. but big whoop - my certs are nacd but i belong to both and to nfsa.

enjoy yourself either way!

 

[LiteHedded]

doesn't matter at all. i'd recommend staying away from the political agencies altogether

 

[Cave Diver]

Non-issue. There are other agencies that teach cave training as well and we have lots of good instructors on the board representing several agencies.

 

[PfcAJ]

I'm not impressed by the quality of diver that comes out of the NSS or the NACD, as a general rule.

Ya, some people come out of the program as rockstars, but in general. No. I saw a whole bunch of shenanigans at manatee last weekend, and they were "Full Cave". Kneeling, losing buddies, questionable planning. I don't know who their instructors were, and I don't really care. I know which agencies they weren't part of.

 

[zaberman1]

I think a more productive question would be which instructor do y'all recommend. Where are you taking the course? To name a few great instructors in my area:

Jeff Bauer
Jill Heinerth
Jason Ottinger
Jeff Loflin

In no particular order...

I have personal experience with Bauer and 2 friends of mine have personal experience with Heinerth. Both fantastic and reputable instructors.

 

[RJP]

Thank you for your time and comments.

"Buy the instructor, not the card."

There are many great instructors that are members of both of the agencies you mention.

I can recommend Dan Patterson - as one example - based on personal experience.

www.centralfloridadiversinc.com