PADI vs NAUI- AOW Training

[Firebird2XC]

Alright, alrighty, I know everybody's got their preferred training school, or whatnot. I'm trying to decide where I want to do my AOW training, and since my local shop does it in a freezing ass cold lake, I'm going on vacation to do it there.

I see lots of PADI and SSI shops. I'm partial to NAUI, if only because I did my initial cert and EANx training with them. It's familiar.

Seems like the NAUI shops are more expensive, and they tout the thoroughness of their training. PADI, on the other hand, offers some customizing with 'elective specialty' dives during training.

So I ask those who might know- for AOW training, what are the real differences? I'd like to make a more educated choice. Especially if I'm going to potentially shell out more for the training.

Thoughts? (... and let's keep it civil. There's no point in breaking out the rulers. It's winter, we're divers, therefore we've all succumbed to shrinkage..)

 

[endurodog]

Ok I'll jump in on this one, glutten for punishment. I did NAUI for my OW and PADI for my AOW, so have some experince in both systems. Best one to go with, hands down, is the one with the best instructor. If your going to go on vacation to do it I would try to contact some people that have worked with the respective shops and if they can indentify a good instructor thats great. While you hate the idea of a cold dive for your AOW it would give you the ability to learn about instructors in the area better than some where miles away and in a different location.

 

[tomfcrist]

Being a NAUI instructor, I should probably tell you that a NAUI course will be hands down a better course........however I do live in reality and realize that a good padi instructor is just as likely to give you a quality course as a good NAUI instructor. Conversely a bad padi instructor will give you just as ****ty a course as a bad NAUI instructor.

That being said, don't just take a shot in the dark on this..... Interview the different instructors in the area about what you can expect from their course, and decide for yourself which one is the best for YOU. Don't settle for them blowing smoke up your bum either, saying that their course is better really doesn't matter as much as PROVING that their course is better because of x, y and z.

Good luck and safe diving.

 

[The Chairman]

It depends more on the instructor than the agency. Tell us where is your vacation going to be, and we can refer you to actual peeps.

 

[Firebird2XC]

Thanks for the feedback, all. I appreciate the input.

 

[manni-yunk]

I though that the difference was that Naui taught a specific and defined CLASS - based for AOW, with some tayloring done by the instructor. Padi has a number of "specialty" dives that you choose from - then receive an AOW card.


I have certs from both-- but my Naui AOW class was great. I do, however, recognize that 90% of it is the instructor.

Thats why - at this point - all of the classes Im taking and planning on taking are through PSAI. Nothing to do with the agency - its all about the instructor.

 

[SOFDiver]

First I will say I am a NAUI Instructor, that being said: I also suggest that your instructon has a lot to do with your instructor, and that you should interview/have a conversation with the instructor before you pay for/commence the course. As a NAUI guy, I am able to add a lot of material to my course above and beyond the established NAUI Standards which are extensive. I also like to tailor instruction to the students needs and to the type of diving they do. If you just want a AOW card, they are easy to get. If you want good training it will take time, money, and your cooperation with your instructor.

 

[The Chairman]

I though that the difference was that Naui taught a specific and defined CLASS - based for AOW, with some tayloring done by the instructor. Padi has a number of "specialty" dives that you choose from - then receive an AOW card.

In reality, there's not much difference in them. Not really. It bears repeating that the instructor makes all the difference between improving and/or adding to your skills or you just collecting a card.

 

[USFpsychDiver]

I have a philosophical preference for NAUI since it's a non-profit and PADI, as a for-profit, has its primary responsibility to the owners, not the customers. I took NAUI AOW and my daughter took PADI with me swimming along in the background. Wasn't really much difference; both offered more supervised experience than 'book larnin'. I would pay attention to the specific 'specialties' that you do, since some have more value (in my opinion) than others. You have to do nav and deep, then select the rest from a menu of options. Something like fish ID has limited utility, bouyancy is much more useful. Often the instructor picks based on where the boat is going and/or conditions, but if I had it to do again I'd take a more active role in choosing the experiences.

 

[esears]

I've done AOW with both PADI and NAUI, and I can say that like others state, the instructor makes the course. I feel like I learned more from my PADI instructor than the NAUI one, without a doubt. However, full disclosure, my PADI was a private course and the NAUI was with a group.