PADI, NAUI, SSI, SDI... Too many to choose from!

[rollerboi]

Unfortunately, there are shops out there that will say, "Sure, we can do that for you. Let's get you signed up...cash or credit?" Then as he walks out the door, they will start laughing.

If you have that experience in Utah, please let us know in the regional group "Rocky Mountain Oysters". It's my impression that the dive shops I've been to are pretty dedicated and high quality, for being in such a landlocked state.

 

[Walter]

PADI is definitely the most recognized worldwide

Not true. It's simply the largest, not the most recognized.

But to answer you question, you should go with who is the closest because diving is a learning game, if you really want to know more you will seek out more and more training and better and better training as you go on.

Really bad advice. The closest might be the best available, but it could also be the worst.

If you want just a card, it doesn't matter what class you take. If you want a good education, do some research. This should help.

 

[Tomeck]

In Europe, more than 90% of divers are formed by PADI or CMAS, NAUI and SSI are little known, but YMCA is totally unknown.

 

[nereas]

If you have that experience in Utah, please let us know in the regional group "Rocky Mountain Oysters". It's my impression that the dive shops I've been to are pretty dedicated and high quality, for being in such a landlocked state.

Talking to other locals is sure to give you the most accurate and honest information about which retail store to choose in your own location.

Getting your training in advance in Utah will save you time in Costa Rica. Then when you get to Costa Rica, you can go diving right away. And you can bring your gear with you, whatever you have already purchased (fins, booties, mask, snorkel, weight belt without weights, dive computer, etc.)

In Costa Rica you would probably want to buy your first 3mm wetsuit. For mountain lake diving in Utah, you would probably need to rent a 7mm wetsuit, probably a farmer-john design. These are completely different.

Mountain lake diving can be nice; I have done it and enjoyed it immensely. Warm ocean diving is quite different however, with longer dive times since you do not need to worry about higher altitude.

A dive computer with high altitude settings (as well as nitrox) would make the conversion much easier for you. I recommend the SUUNTOs. They have both a high altitude setting (8000 ft) as well as an intermediate altitude (4000 ft) like Utah, in addition to sea level.

Regarding NAUI, SSI, PADI, etc. it really all depends on the instructor. Ask around, in your neighborhood. In general, SDI is going to be your best bet, since they do not bother with ancient dive tables, focusing rather on modern dive computers. But ask around.

In some locations a DAN insurance card is required as well. But most only check your certification.

 

[bundok]

Wow, you guys are incredible. I thought I'd maybe get an answer or two, but this is by far the most responsive board I've ever registered to, for any subject.

Anyway, I'm in Provo but I don't mind traveling as far as Salt Lake to get certified. The more I've read in the boards and from peoples experiences, the more convinced I am to certify here in cold water, rather than wait for the warm waters of the Caribbean.

In regards to the one post about bringing my equipment with me to Costa Rica, how heavy is this stuff? I can't imagine tanks (even empty ones) being very light. Will it essentially nix one of my suitcases? Is it safe to ship equipment like regulators through a service like the USPS or FedEx etc?

I hope you guys don't mind PM's cause I might be doing a lot of that in the near future. lol

Thanks again, you guys have been great.

 

[texdiveguy]

Pick the instructor not the agency

This really is not a perfect solution....it is very important to find an instructor that you gel with and whom is experienced in the subject matter to be taught...but the training agency and it materials and standards also play an important role of the worth of the program.

 

[hudson]

YMCA is not unknown, they will issue a CMAS certificate.

And while there may be exceptions, my understanding is PADI doesn't really let the instructors stray too far from the standards (I believe SSI is the same way) and the agency-mandated course content is lacking. Ideally, you want to go with an agency that will give their instructors some free-reign as long as their requirements are met, and then look for a good instructor with that agency.

 

[Laustimus]

Pick the instructor not the agency

Good call

 

[CoyKoi]

Bundok,
My 28 yr old daughter also lives in Provo and was certified in Provo though SSI at BYU a few years ago. I've dove with her since she earned her C-card and she knew all her safety drills, physics principles and setting up her equipment -- so I can only conclude she received good instruction.

Don't take your tanks or weights when traveling by air. Any dive shop where you're travelling will have tanks and weights available for your use. I generally take my reg, computer, 10watt HID light and cameral in my carryon (not fun if these get "lost"). Everything else I just put in checked luggage. My checked bag of scuba gear usually weighs at about 44lbs. on the airport scales (50 is the max limit).

I agree with Nereas about the Suunto computer. My husband and I both dive with Suuntos (Vyper and Cobra) and really like the altitude, conservative/liberal and Nitrox settings. Its pretty easy to use and read and is a good all-around computer to grow with you as you improve your skills and get into more advanced diving. We've each put about 300 dives on our computers and have never had a problem with this product.

Dive safe and have a great time diving in Utah and Costa Rica!

 

[Dive-aholic]

YMCA is not unknown, they will issue a CMAS certificate.

And while there may be exceptions, my understanding is PADI doesn't really let the instructors stray too far from the standards (I believe SSI is the same way) and the agency-mandated course content is lacking. Ideally, you want to go with an agency that will give their instructors some free-reign as long as their requirements are met, and then look for a good instructor with that agency.

PADI standards are pretty straight forward, but they only state the end result. They don't state how to get there. I can assure you my PADI courses are very different than most shop PADI courses but still well within standards.