clouddancerss
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I'm going to be starting diving, and am wondering which of these certifications divers prefer and why.I know there are others, but these seem the most popular.Thanks!
PADI or SSI? And Why????
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Why not choose by instructor not agency. Ask questions, ask about the instructor's experience, ask them why you should take the course with them, interview them like you are hiring them (because you are) and ask how much time is involved in getting your certification. (Hint: shorter is not better). Only compare prices after you compare these items.
I have to concur with miesemer -- which instructor and which dive shop are far more important than which agency (and I am an SSI instructor). Your goal is to figure out which of the local dive shops will treat you the best and which instructor is going to put the most effort into making you a safe, confident, comfortable and competent diver. That's easier said than done.
When it comes right down to it, the differences between agencies are subtle. They all ascribe to a set of minimum standards that a new diver must meet to be certified. The real measurable difference comes from the way you are treated by the store and the instructor. Some are just mills churning out new divers like low grade lumber. Others are truly interested in helping you make the most of diving.
Ask lots of questions and see what happens. Do you get a meaningful dialog, or do they just keep preaching to you and trying to sell you something? If they're convinced they know everything and just want you to accept that carte blanc, then walk away. If they're willing to spend time with you giving you real information and trying to learn more about your interest, then that is likely true in the classroom and pool, too.
Sometimes it helps to pay attention to the other customers in the shop, too. Are they all interacting and having fun with one another? Or is it more like a Walmart where they're just strangers shopping under the same roof? The more personable stores and instructors that take serious time to develop relationships with their students/customers will be easy to spot just by way of the relationships demonstrated between staff and customers on the sales floor.
Another thing to look for is whether or not there is any follow-up in the store. Do they have a dive club? Do they put together group trips? Is there any evidence that people are sticking around after they've been certified? Find out when the next dive club meeting is and drop in for a visit. Ask the other club members which instructor certified them and how they felt about him/her. PS: If no one shows up for the dive club meeting, that's a fair indication there's a problem.
Anyway... these are just a few tips. Hope they help some.
Edited for glaring typos
When it comes right down to it, the differences between agencies are subtle. They all ascribe to a set of minimum standards that a new diver must meet to be certified. The real measurable difference comes from the way you are treated by the store and the instructor. Some are just mills churning out new divers like low grade lumber. Others are truly interested in helping you make the most of diving.
Ask lots of questions and see what happens. Do you get a meaningful dialog, or do they just keep preaching to you and trying to sell you something? If they're convinced they know everything and just want you to accept that carte blanc, then walk away. If they're willing to spend time with you giving you real information and trying to learn more about your interest, then that is likely true in the classroom and pool, too.
Sometimes it helps to pay attention to the other customers in the shop, too. Are they all interacting and having fun with one another? Or is it more like a Walmart where they're just strangers shopping under the same roof? The more personable stores and instructors that take serious time to develop relationships with their students/customers will be easy to spot just by way of the relationships demonstrated between staff and customers on the sales floor.
Another thing to look for is whether or not there is any follow-up in the store. Do they have a dive club? Do they put together group trips? Is there any evidence that people are sticking around after they've been certified? Find out when the next dive club meeting is and drop in for a visit. Ask the other club members which instructor certified them and how they felt about him/her. PS: If no one shows up for the dive club meeting, that's a fair indication there's a problem.
Anyway... these are just a few tips. Hope they help some.
Edited for glaring typos
The advice you received here is soooo true. I took my SSI certification course back in May and the main reason I chose the dive shop and instructor was the the way he answered all my questions about himself (instructor with SSI,PADI,NAUI and over 7000 logged dives), the class, what SSI was all about, how he would be conducting his class, pool, and open water sessions. Also the interaction he was having with prior students and other divers that happen to be in the shop getting air fills, discussing equipment, and planning their weekend dives or just visiting was a very good indication that there was a continuing friendly interaction between teacher and students.
I now have been able to log over 20 dives due to the fact that I have met and been introduced to other divers in his shop that I have had a chance to dive with and it has really been an excellent experience for me. Now I find myself being one of the students that stop in his shop for air fills and discussing the next weekends dive.
Needless to say I will be doing my AOW and Nitrox with him in the near future.
Hope this helps.
I now have been able to log over 20 dives due to the fact that I have met and been introduced to other divers in his shop that I have had a chance to dive with and it has really been an excellent experience for me. Now I find myself being one of the students that stop in his shop for air fills and discussing the next weekends dive.
Needless to say I will be doing my AOW and Nitrox with him in the near future.
Hope this helps.
was_one
Guest
I am a padi diver and what every one here has said ring true. I have moved through my courses well and i am currently going for my dive master cert. Each one of these organizations has a web site . They describe the things you need to do for all of your certs. my instructor is ssi and padi he said that padi is less regemented than ssi and naui. But were ever you go no this the person that teaches you has your life in his/her hands,know them trust them feel comfterble with them.
said already. It really is the instructor that is important and shorter is definitely not better. Find out how much time will be spent in the pool training and how many students are in the class.
IMHO low pool time with high student to instructor ratio generally means you get less actual training and practice.
I think this is the first time I've ever heard that PADI was less regimented than other agencies
Some instructors say PADI is too stuctured.
The other thing that is really very important is your attitude towards learning to dive. There is a lot of truth to the saying, you get out of it what you put into it.
IMHO low pool time with high student to instructor ratio generally means you get less actual training and practice.
I think this is the first time I've ever heard that PADI was less regimented than other agencies
Some instructors say PADI is too stuctured.The other thing that is really very important is your attitude towards learning to dive. There is a lot of truth to the saying, you get out of it what you put into it.
so........are you saying taller instructors are better??
but seriously..... I agree, the instructor is more important than which agency.
JHAM
Guest
i agree that the best training is more dependant upon the instructor not on the agency.
I would however caution you that whichever you choose make it a good choice. If you ever decide to take classes with the other agency, the new agency will not reconize the others classes. If you want to progress up to master SCUBA diver of higher then just pick an agency and stick with it.
I would however caution you that whichever you choose make it a good choice. If you ever decide to take classes with the other agency, the new agency will not reconize the others classes. If you want to progress up to master SCUBA diver of higher then just pick an agency and stick with it.
JHAM,
I started out with PADI and switched to NAUI with full recognition of the certifications I already had. I believe that most agencies recognize each others certifications in similar fashion.
Tavi---good one!!
I started out with PADI and switched to NAUI with full recognition of the certifications I already had. I believe that most agencies recognize each others certifications in similar fashion.
Tavi---good one!!
I concur with everything that has been said regarding choosing the instructor, not the agency. Diving is fun! Good luck with it!!
Look forward to seeing you on the boat sometime!
Colin Berry
Look forward to seeing you on the boat sometime!
Colin Berry
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