padi or ssi?

[armyscuba]

You know who makes Me a better Diver? The Guy in the Mirror..Who Cares, Course, Instructor, Agency..it's too late...Your a Diver. Your breathing underwater, the only way to become proficient at it..is to do it. I have to admit these topics for threads always puzzle Me. It becomes a pissing match about who's who..I say AGAIN..who cares. Your buddy knows what's up, unless He's an idiot too. How many people drive cars, yet still can't do it...and never will. same thing with diving. Some people just should not do it. I say let everyone have fun. Dive Your limits, Dive Your experience...Dive into another Topic.

Hang Loose

CPT D

 

[pasley]

fins wake said it right. I continuously see PADI being bashed because of something they offer. Rarely see any hard facts, just opinion. When I check NAUI and other agencies they offer essentially the same thing. It comes down to "don't confuse me with facts” I am busy shooting down someone just because they are successful. When you point out the other agencies are doing the same thing it is because PADI is forcing them to, to remain competitive. Uh, huh, right. Chicken, egg argument. If you think the product PADI offers is unsafe, then your company does not have to offer it. Just run ads and educate the public. Bottom line, check the websites yourself and read for yourself the standards of each. The instructor is perhaps the most important ingredient.

The current facts are that PADI is the big guy on the block of the Dive Industry. As the leader, there will be detractors who will take shots just because you are in front. The fact that their favorite agency does the same thing has no bearing on the issue.

When the auto industry first introduced 4 wheel brakes, all the other auto manufacturers ran ads about how unsafe it was. Meanwhile back home, they were busy retooling for 4 wheel brakes. When they rolled out there 4 wheel brake cars they announced how their superior engineering had "fixed the problems and theirs were safe".

In the end, all of the certifying agencies bring something good to the table. They have their different approaches and that is also good. No one approach is the right solution for everyone and every situation.

As for a PAD IOW diver being unsafe. Do you really think that the one extra skin or scuba dive makes that much difference? That is plain funny and shows a definite bias. As someone said, being licensed (to dive, drive, fly) is just the starting point. Experience is needed. I have dove with newer divers of different certification agencies and found them to be good, bad and who the hell certified you. Yes that includes PADI.

Compare the NAUI Open Water Training with PADI, the difference NAUI requires one more dive, which may be either Skin or SCUBA.

NAUI Certification for Open Water:
OPEN WATER DIVES
The minimum number of open water dives is five. They may be all scuba dives or one skin dive and four scuba dives. No more than two scuba dives may be made on a single day during the course. Open water training may be completed in two days with a skin dive and two scuba dives on one day and two additional scuba dives on the other day. All open water training must take place during daylight hours. Sixty feet (18 m) is the maximum depth for any open water training dives during the course. PREREQUISITES FOR ENTERING THE COURSE
• Age. Minimum is 15 years for Scuba Diver certification. (Junior certification for ages 12 - 14 years is allowed. See “Policies Applying to All Courses”, Age, Junior Certification.”)
• Diver Certification. None required.
• Prior Training. Students who hold credentials from the NAUI Passport Diver Program may, at the discretion of the instructor, be awarded credit for skills and knowledge acquired.

PADI Certification for Open Water:
What do I need to start?
Virtually anyone who is in good health, reasonably fit, and comfortable in the water can earn a PADI Open Water Diver certification. If you are between 10 and 14 or have a child between these ages, there is a PADI Junior Open Water Diver program available.
• A PADI Jr Open Water Diver between the ages of 10 and 12 years may only dive with a PADI Professional, a certified parent or certified guardian to a maximum depth of 12 metres/40 feet.
What will I do?
Throughout the course, you’ll learn fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive equipment and techniques. You earn this rating by completing five pool dives and knowledge development sessions and by making four open water (ocean or lake) dives.

Now I am not an expert on all the dive aganies but that is my opinion on the subject.

 

[HammerNoMore]

I don't care if the cert says Crackerjack Box School of Diving

When I need air I just flash my Diver Dan Fan Club card....

 

[terri]

This is true, but I think the physics in the PADI Open Water manual is more than enough to learn to dive.

It's nice to learn more in-depth material if one has the capacity to do so, but if one doesn't, it just confuses and distracts from learning the core knowledge.

At least obtain the core knowledge so you can recognize symptoms as they occur. Knowing the physics of diving can lead to understanding, which could possibly save a life.
As far as 'who' provides the best materials, they probably all do. It all comes down to the diver, and taking responsibility. I am SSI certified, but have not qualms about seeking to further my education in and out of the water through other organizations. We all, I am sure, know a lot of great divers certed through many different organizations. Thankfully, I am married to a good diver. (Built in Buddy) If I get in a situation while under, he has the knowledge and capacity to do something about it. Otherwise, I would be very watchful, about who I buddied with on a dive. Education and common sense are an important combination. That is experience talking. My last liveaboard trip, I saw a situation with a diver in trouble, another diver recognized the classic symptoms and probably prevented a catastrophe.
Finally, know your limitations and be safe.

 

[pasley]

Understanding the physics of diving is one of the most important things to learn, don't you think?

What is the reason you believe learning the physics of diving is the most important thing for the recreational air breathing diver who is trained and certified for NON DECOMPRESSION DIVING to learn?

My opinion is that knowing the physics of diving is the WHY of what we do. I agree that knowing the why helps people to understand what they are doing and the importance of doing it, and is therefore important but not the most important.

But you can know all the physics of diving without ever seeing the water and without having a clue as to how to assemble your equipment or use it. A person could have a Phd in physics in the appropriate field relating to diving without knowing how to dive.

So why is the physics more important than knowing how to blow and go or how to clear a mask?

 

[terri]

Melvin, I guess I should be a little more specific when I post. I was actually referring to the recreational diver. Not to the person who never actually "sees the water".
The recreational diver can get in a situation where nitrogen narcosis is an issue. As recreational diving is limited to 130 ft, we are still taught that at about 100 ft, most air-breathing divers experience the symptoms of nitrogen narcosis that progress upon descent. At depth, nitrogen produces the same effect on the central nervous system that nitrous oxide, a gaseous surgical anesthetic, does at sea level. The degree of euphoria experienced from either gas depends only on the gas's partial pressure and responds immediately to changes in partial pressure.
Being familiar with Boyle's Law could also be useful to the recreational diver, as lung-expansion injuries are a very real possibility with a panicked diver who ascends too quickly. Cases of decompression sickness range in severity from skin rashes and joint pain to paralysis and death. See 'Haldane's theory, 1906. Based on his physiological findings, Haldane developed the the first set of dive tables. Another tool to keeping the recreational diver safe.
To make a long story short, I know the that the percentages are exceedingly low for the recreational diver to experience some of the more serious ailments, but it CAN happen. 'Knowledge' is a very important combatant in keeping a diver safe.
This was my point in my last post. Thank you for making me clarify this.

 

[armyscuba]

Melvin States all the Physics You need to Know..

Quote:Even the smallest bubble shall beat me to the surface

That's Physics..

A Diver that panics at 130 ft. should not be there, therefore needs not to know about DCS or it's affects..as far as Narcing Out..Get Your experience level up first in the 80 ft. range with a good buddy..and Keep and eye on each other..Deep Diving requires the Buddy System..at close range, it's not like playing with fish at 40 ft..

 

[SamDiver14]

The best divers aren't always the best instructors nor are the best instructors always the best divers. The same thing applies to the organization. The best organization is the one that has the best instructor for the individual. Everyone learns differently and some people are more compatible in instructor/student roles. Research and relationships are the key to finding the best fit for you. If you don't feel comfortable with an instructor or shop you should find somewhere that you feel more comfortable.

 

[Kim]

At the end of the day all diving is decompression diving - wether you realise it or not. One learns many skills learning to dive and IMO they are interrelated, it's hard to say that one is more - or less - important than another. A basic understanding of the physics involved can't be bad. In any event - both PADI & SSI teach it don't they?(My 2 bubbles)

 

[DiverEvans]

I received my OW through PADI and AOW with SSI. When I go to a dive shop noone comments on the type of card I hold. I also agree that what is most important is the instructor. I have since taken courses from a NAUI instructor....