Question PADI vs SDI for Advanced Certification

[Eric Sedletzky]

And the NAUI version as well

I would love to see NAUI make a comeback in a big way.

 

[SK Academy Panglao]

Hello everyone:

I'm trying to decide whether to take either AOW through PADI or the Advanced Diver Development Program through SDI. I'm just having trouble deciding which route to go since I see merits to both camps. I know the instructor factors into this equation, but I want to focus on the course material aspect. My plan is to do my training in Nanaimo, BC. So my choices of shops are either Nanaimo Dive Outfitters (SDI), Sink or Swim (PADI), or Sundown (PADI).

What I like about the PADI AOW route is that you first do a sampler of 5 different types of diving with navigation and deep being mandatory. If I go this way, I would do dives that would improve my overall skills as a diver (navigation, deep, buoyancy, drift, search & recovery). Then I can take the full specialty courses for whatever I am interested in afterward.

With SDI, I take four complete specialty courses, but it sounds like they go into more depth. What I'm wondering about is what you get out of something such as a full SDI navigation course versus 1 PADI navigation dive? If I go the SDI route through Nanaimo Dive Outfitters, they would have me do the Boat, Buoyancy, Deep, and Navigation courses. Since I have already done a few boat dives, I don't really see any value in taking that course. I have to ask the shop if I can substitute that with something else (preferably Search and Recovery).

Besides having fun which is priority #1, my long-term goal is to to become a very proficient diver and a better buddy. Some other courses that I see myself taking eventually are Rescue and Self-Reliant/Solo.

I would be interested to hear everyone's thoughts on what path I should take to get to where I want to be.

Thanks!

James

If you can take 4 different specialties, it will make you a far superior diver than just doing the Advanced. In our SDI Diving Center, we do offer both options, though. Who is it for?

A diver who wants to unlock depth (to 30m), up their skill level in several areas, and have a certification to boast, is better off doing the advanced. Also, in our opinion, beginner divers will benefit from it much more as a person with less than 10 dives will enjoy working on basic skills of 4-5 different areas, rather than diving deep into each one, due to lacking some fundamental knowledge and skills that come with experience and time underwater.

Divers who want to become more independent, practice planning and briefing different dives under different conditions (currents, depths, limited visibility, etc.), and get a solid foundation in each area to be able to build skill independently after the specialty course, an Advanced Diver Development Plan, or a Master Diver Program are the ways to go.

One doesn't substitute another, and we'd highly recommend beginner divers to take their Advanced course before doing specialties, for the reasons mentioned above. However, if someone has already many dives as an OW diver, then I'd suggest this person to consider a Master Diver Program, or an Advanced diver development plan, not only because they already have some skill, but they probably also have some bad habits which will require more attention of the instructor to change/fix.

In my opinion, even though we're an SDI diving center, the certifying diving agency shouldn't be the most important criterion for you, but the diving center itself. Some PADI diving centers are amazing and some are not, and the same goes to SDI. But... there are some differences still, which I recommend that you'll check in this post about PADI vs. SDI vs. SSI vs. other agencies. The main one is that SDI promotes personalization of the training and courses according the the instructor and the student, so you're more likely to encounter a more bespoke approach in the SDI shop, and a more steamlined one in the PADI show.

 

[NothingClever]

…would basically be paying more and ending up with less certification in the process.

I’d focus more on training as the core objective than the certification.

If you pay for a personal fitness trainer and he shows you a new stretch or exercise, has you clumsily repeat it once or twice and then calls it good, are you going to feel like you’re getting your money’s worth?

Probably not.

Find an instructor who is willing to go through repetitions with you and assist you to get to a level of independent repeatability.

If available, video analysis of your procedures is the best.

 

[NothingClever]

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