OW Certification - PADI v. SSI

[The Wanderer]

The computer is a Uwatec Pro Ultra console

 

[DivePartner1]

I agree: go with the instructor. That being said and all things being equal I'd suggest SSI for OW. I've taken PADI Rescue and enough of there other stuff to get their MSD card (for what it's worth) but I did my OW through SSI. SSI's course struck me as more thorough and included topics that PADI reserves for 'specialties.'

Now THAT being said, my SSI OW instructor wasn't that great (too many students). The best instructors I've encountered happened to be hooked up with PADI. Frankly, I'd have used them regardless. You're always better off with the best teacher you can find.

Safe bubbles!

 

[DC-Loudsound]

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?

Good instructors, cool …. good equipment to dive with, very cool …

I think the instructors I had were okay ( NAUI Scuba Diver Course ) … but not as professional as I thought they would be. The lead instructor seemed like he was so board during both pool sessions, he was just phoning it in. For the open water dives, I had a different instructor, he was more interested in telling personal stories and experiences than spending time on the basic subject matter. He covered the compass and navigation portion of the class in about five minutes. Several students looked confused when he was finished. They also got lost when asked to swim out twenty kicks, do a 180 and return.

The equipment was a joke. The pool sessions included BC’s with bad Velcro and broken snaps. My BC actually had the one waist band tied to a d-ring ( the strap had ripped ) so there was no adjustment possible. It was way to tight for me, and it was the best one he had with him. For the open water dives I got a better BC, but the octopus was free flowing and the console was leaking like crazy. My instructors solution to the problem … during our SIT between the two dives, floating on the surface, he had me inflate my BC and then he turned off my air ( he did remind me to not deflate my BC ). I had to remind him to turn my air back on before the second dive.

I guess I had higher expectations for the instruction. I have selected what I believe will be a better instructor for my AOW and Rescue classes.

Have fun, be safe … I can’t wait to buy my own gear.

Dean

 

[gj62]

Good instructors, cool …. good equipment to dive with, very cool …

I think the instructors I had were okay ( NAUI Scuba Diver Course ) … but not as professional as I thought they would be. The lead instructor seemed like he was so board during both pool sessions, he was just phoning it in. For the open water dives, I had a different instructor, he was more interested in telling personal stories and experiences than spending time on the basic subject matter. He covered the compass and navigation portion of the class in about five minutes. Several students looked confused when he was finished. They also got lost when asked to swim out twenty kicks, do a 180 and return.

The equipment was a joke. The pool sessions included BC’s with bad Velcro and broken snaps. My BC actually had the one waist band tied to a d-ring ( the strap had ripped ) so there was no adjustment possible. It was way to tight for me, and it was the best one he had with him. For the open water dives I got a better BC, but the octopus was free flowing and the console was leaking like crazy. My instructors solution to the problem … during our SIT between the two dives, floating on the surface, he had me inflate my BC and then he turned off my air ( he did remind me to not deflate my BC ). I had to remind him to turn my air back on before the second dive.

I guess I had higher expectations for the instruction. I have selected what I believe will be a better instructor for my AOW and Rescue classes.

Have fun, be safe … I can’t wait to buy my own gear.

Dean

Find a new shop - ASAP. This is not SOP in SoCal diving centers...