OW Certification - PADI v. SSI

[The Wanderer]

After a couple of postponements, I finally signed up for my OW course beginning May 1st. Now I have a choice of PADI or SSI.

What are the differences? Which do you recommend?

Thanks!

 

[H2Andy]

yow... this topic has been kicked around this board quite a bit. you could do
a search with "PADI SSI" as the subject and i'm sure you'll get lots of hits.

i will summarize my position:

the agency is not nearly as important as the instructor. pick an instructor that
you feel comfortable with, who has a reputation for doing more than reading out
of the book, who does a lot of diving, and who loves teaching. you will get TONS
more out of the class that way, no matter which agency you go with.

 

[The Wanderer]

I think I picked a good instructor. Lots of experience and loves to dive. Nice guy, good personality.

He recommended SSI. They are going to let me learn using a Halcyon BP/W, Scubapro regs and a good dive computer (forgot the model, but I think it costs big $$$$).

Sounds like a good set-up to me,so I that's why I chose this instructor/LDS.

How'd I do?

 

[gj62]

If you like the instructor and they have a good local reputation, then ya done good, regardless of agency.

 

[H2Andy]

yup

 

[The Wanderer]

I take that as an approval - LOL !

 

[HammerNoMore]

I think I picked a good instructor. Lots of experience and loves to dive. Nice guy, good personality.

He recommended SSI. They are going to let me learn using a Halcyon BP/W, Scubapro regs and a good dive computer (forgot the model, but I think it costs big $$$$).

Sounds like a good set-up to me,so I that's why I chose this instructor/LDS.

How'd I do?

You you've picked the instructor and he offers both PADI and SSI certs? Flip a coin, or look at the post OW training structure of the agencies, they differ quite a bit, and pick the one you like better.

For your OW it really doesn't matter, though I remember somthing a year or so back where somone in Honduras had gotten ticked off at SSI and was refusing to accept their certs.

 

[MikeFerrara]

I think I picked a good instructor. Lots of experience and loves to dive. Nice guy, good personality.

He recommended SSI. They are going to let me learn using a Halcyon BP/W, Scubapro regs and a good dive computer (forgot the model, but I think it costs big $$$$).

Sounds like a good set-up to me,so I that's why I chose this instructor/LDS.

How'd I do?

Halcyon bp/wing and a computer? Some kind of bipolar personality disorder maybe?

Just kiddin, have fun.

 

[jonnythan]

Halcyon bp/wing and a computer? Some kind of bipolar personality disorder maybe?

Just kiddin, have fun.

I dive a Pioneer with a computer! The puter is even an ex-Uncle Pug gizmo. What does that make me?

 

[ABQdiver]

SSI requires IIRC, the instructor to be affiliated with a shop. Obviously the shop would have more than one instructor. As long as you like and believe that person will give you the best instruction then go for it.
The fact that they use BP&W are a great side benefit.

Good luck, you'll love it!