padi v ssi

[rmcculloch]

I did my OW with PADI and then did my advanced adventurer with SSI. I want to do more courses but I am unsure to go with PADI or SSI. PADI obviously recognised in more places and SSI cheaper. If I go to an area where they don't recognise SSI and this is with whom i have most of my qualifications will I not be able to dive??????? many thanks

 

[meierdierck]

I am a PADI instructor, but IMO, at this point it might be better for you to find an instructor you click with, and let them mentor you, regardless of agency. Quality instruction from a Great instructor will do far more than mediocre instruction from the "right" agency.
I have never seen a diver not allowed to dive because of agency, never even heard of it happening, maybe others on here have. The biggest issue I have seen is when a diver shows up without a card, and cannot be verified, and I dont know how easy verification is through SSI.

 

[tstormdiver]

I second that. A quality Instructor is more important than the agency they teach for.

 

[rollerboi]

I did my OW with PADI and then did my advanced adventurer with SSI. I want to do more courses but I am unsure to go with PADI or SSI. PADI obviously recognised in more places and SSI cheaper. If I go to an area where they don't recognise SSI and this is with whom i have most of my qualifications will I not be able to dive??????? many thanks

I misread at first. Oops.

To my knowledge, both PADI and SSI have crossover certification equivalencies. Most places will let you further your education despite who you've gotten your initial OW cert with. Find an instructor you like, as others have mentioned.

I might also add that if money is the deciding factor, this may be the wrong sport for you. Yes, it's good to find a deal, but not at the expense of quality training.

 

[knotical]

PADI obviously recognised in more places and SSI cheaper.

Not convinced that either of these statements are correct.

 

[Scott]

If I go to an area where they don't recognise SSI and this is with whom i have most of my qualifications will I not be able to dive??????? many thanks

If they won't accept your SSI card just drop your PADI card down.
There may be a small number of resorts that won't accept SSI but those number have to be very small by now.