padi or ssi?

[dog paddle]

ok i am new i got padi cert. for OW. my local shop looks at me like Iam from another planet when I show them my card. What is the difference is it enough for me to worry about. I would ask my local shop but we have only one and they are sales sales sales and i dont trust that the will give me the real info

 

[archman]

run a local search. Comparisons between dive organizations is a popular topic on the board.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

PADI detractors refer to PADI as standing for Put Another Dollar In while the PADI Pukes refer to SSI divers as Scuba Sissies. In truth the OW standards for each agency are remarkably similar.

They do use different approaches to the AOW card though. SSI looks at a minimum of open water experience combined with 4 specialty courses. PADI uses a core course that you can start right out of OW and then adds the specialties on top of this course.

So in essense SSI uses a more experiential track while PADI uses more of a classroom/educational approach but in the end both produce similar divers. The right choice is often one of what works best for the individual diver. Different divers have different learning styles and there is more than enough room for both approaches.

I certified with PADI in 1985 and took a PADI AOW course for college credit in 1986 but did not opt to spend the money for the card ($185 was a lot of money for a college kid in 1986).

I then relatively recently took got an SSI AOW certification as having the right merit badges is unfortunately becoming more important. But I had no problem getting my SSI Advanced Open Water cert even though I started with a PADI OW card. And my local PADI instructor had no problem using my SSI AOW card as a pre-requisite for a PADI Ice Diving course. (SSI does not offer one) So both agencies will honor each other's cards and if you have problems it's the shop or instructor trying to extort extra bucks out of you, not the agency.

 

[DeputyDan]

What DA said........................................... Only thing to add is that the instructor is more important than the tag "SSI or PADI"

 

[IndigoBlue]

PADI detractors refer to PADI as standing for Put Another Dollar In while the PADI Pukes refer to SSI divers as Scuba Sissies. In truth the OW standards for each agency are remarkably similar.

They do use different approaches to the AOW card though. SSI looks at a minimum of open water experience combined with 4 specialty courses. PADI uses a core course that you can start right out of OW and then adds the specialties on top of this course.

So in essense SSI uses a more experiential track while PADI uses more of a classroom/educational approach but in the end both produce similar divers. The right choice is often one of what works best for the individual diver. Different divers have different learning styles and there is more than enough room for both approaches.

I certified with PADI in 1985 and took a PADI AOW course for college credit in 1986 but did not opt to spend the money for the card ($185 was a lot of money for a college kid in 1986).

I then relatively recently took got an SSI AOW certification as having the right merit badges is unfortunately becoming more important. But I had no problem getting my SSI Advanced Open Water cert even though I started with a PADI OW card. And my local PADI instructor had no problem using my SSI AOW card as a pre-requisite for a PADI Ice Diving course. (SSI does not offer one) So both agencies will honor each other's cards and if you have problems it's the shop or instructor trying to extort extra bucks out of you, not the agency.

Since I personally know SSI stores and NAUI stores and YMCA freelance instructors who all teach basic open water, and who all spend more than 2 days and more than 4 open water dives training new divers, I do not believe your statement that "the OW standards for each agency are remarkably similar," direct quote, is valid.

When a new PADI diver shows up at a store or on a boat, there is reasonable cause for concern. The reasonableness stems from the FACT that until the new PADI diver completes PADI AOW he/she may have received less open water training than someone from SSI etc.

 

[fins wake]

Doesn't even have to be greenbacks, I'll settle for a tropical holiday with one of these yummy female divemasters that populate some PADI ads. Anyway, here goes.

Since I personally know SSI stores and NAUI stores and YMCA freelance instructors who all teach basic open water, and who all spend more than 2 days and more than 4 open water dives training new divers, I do not believe your statement that "the OW standards for each agency are remarkably similar," direct quote, is valid.

Well, I do. And for those who want to check it up, here are the SSI standards, from their site: http://www.ssila.com/pdf/trainingstandards.pdf

When a new PADI diver shows up at a store or on a boat, there is reasonable cause for concern.

Whoah! But there's no need for concern with a newbie SSI, YMCA or NAUI diver? Folks, the truth is that all newbie divers are on a learner's permit. OW C-card = learner's card. PADI:s is as safe as the next one. Dive safely and slowly extend your experience. There are no magic cards ... winguardia leviosa, as it were ... *chuckles*

The reasonableness stems from the FACT that until the new PADI diver completes PADI AOW he/she may have received less open water training than someone from SSI etc.

For checking out facts, please have a look at the training standards link above. (And yeah, I really should be paid for this.)

Don't get me wrong, I really like SSI. I've dived with many of their products, and I find many of their instructors superb. DA Aquamaster and DeputyDan have already nailed the issue.

Now, about that female divemaster ...

 

[John H. Moore]

as having the right merit badges is unfortunately becoming more important.

Why? Where? How?

 

[ScubaRon]

When a new PADI diver shows up at a store or on a boat, there is reasonable cause for concern. The reasonableness stems from the FACT that until the new PADI diver completes PADI AOW he/she may have received less open water training than someone from SSI etc.

Dive training and C-cards provide knowledge and training, which is very different from experience. Just like a 16 year old who just received his drivers license is definitely not a good driver, a diver who just got his C-card is not a good diver...regardless of the agency.

The point: Always ask a diver for his/her certification and dive experience.
ScubaRon

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Why? Where? How?

Well for example, I could not get a PADI ice diving certification without an AOW card despite having a 1000 plus dives and 15 years experience diving in all kinds of conditions. The fact that I had actually taken the PADI AOW course in college (but opted not to pay for the merit badge) did not cut any "ice" either. No AOW card, no course. So of course I went across the street to an SSI instructor to get my AOW card.

It's also getting harder to go on a more challenging boat dive with just an OW card unless you have someone along to vouch for your ability.

 

[d33ps1x]

Worry about the instructor.

Interview them. Choose one that actually dives and has real world experience to share.

Have fun. Be safe. :jetfighte