PADI vs SSI ??

[sbro]

I just got PADI OW certified and will be AOW in June. If the group that I dive/trained with moves to SSI, what does that really mean to me? I plan on continuing my training no matter what.
Or: If I move and there is only SSI training available...same question. Does the training cross over/grandfather in? or do I need to recertify in SSI?

Someone enlighten this diving newbie

 

[Marek K]

I just got PADI OW certified and will be AOW in June. If the group that I dive/trained with moves to SSI, what does that really mean to me? I plan on continuing my training no matter what.
Or: If I move and there is only SSI training available...same question. Does the training cross over/grandfather in? or do I need to recertify in SSI?

Someone enlighten this diving newbie

An instructor will confirm this, but there's absolutely no problem in crossing over from one agency to another. It's done all the time. I would think your dive shop would have reassured you about that.

In SSI's case, the only problem may be that they use slightly different dive tables... they're a bit more conservative. But more importantly, as far as using them, they're laid out a bit differently, and define their pressure groups differently. But if you understand the use of the PADI RDP, there will be no problem there either.

There might be a problem if you needed to complete a course that you'd started with PADI, but had to finish up with SSI.

--Marek

 

[ScubaSarus]

SSI is a good org. I see no problem as long as its the start of a course and not switching in the middle of a course.

 

[garyfotodiver]

The question in my mind is, WHY are you concerned that your LDS might switch affiliations?

 

[sbro]

I'm diving no matter what! My wife and I just (in the last 3 weeks) got cert'd. We went to a local club meeting and one of the dive masters for the local shop (affiliated with the one we cert'd at) had mentioned that they were talking about switching from PADI to SSI. I wouldn't have thought twice about it but he said it a little ominously. It left me with the impression that it would affect us. I haven't had a chance to ask anyone until now. I'm such a newbie, I didn't know there were differnet orgs until 6 weeks ago. I have been back in the water since certifying and have a couple of night dives this Friday.

 

[garyfotodiver]

I'm diving no matter what! My wife and I just (in the last 3 weeks) got cert'd. We went to a local club meeting and one of the dive masters for the local shop (affiliated with the one we cert'd at) had mentioned that they were talking about switching from PADI to SSI. I wouldn't have thought twice about it but he said it a little ominously. It left me with the impression that it would affect us. I haven't had a chance to ask anyone until now. I'm such a newbie, I didn't know there were differnet orgs until 6 weeks ago. I have been back in the water since certifying and have a couple of night dives this Friday.

Thanks, this makes it a little clearer. FWIW, my daughter is PADI, I am SSI. I like SSI better because I find their corporate philosophy closer to mine than PADI is. My instructor in WI is SSI (ex-PADI) and my LDS in FL has both PADI and SSI instructors. Perhaps, eventually, my daughter will switch. But I'm not counting on it.

No one ever questioned my about my c-card agency, except when I show my original NASDS c-card. Some of the younger dive shop employees have never heard of NASDS.

Don't worry about it. Good Luck!

 

[Cudabait]

I hold both SSI and PADI C-Cards. Both are good. It really does not make much difference unless you plan to go pro. (Divemaster or above) PADI is more flexible...SSI requires that you work with an SSI entity, PADI does not.

Regards,

 

[PhotoTJ]

I've got some PADI certs, and some SSI certs. Virtually every agency recognizes every other agency.

 

[Aquanaut4ata]

You won't have any problems....all agencies train by RSTC standards, and all accept each other's certs. For instance, if you're PADI,NAUI etc. open water diver, and want to become SSI Advanced open water, no problem.
A couple of things mentioned above: SSI does have more conservative dive tables. Solution: throw them away & dive a computer. You'll get WAY more bottom time. Also, SSI does require a dealer affiliation that other agencies dont, so less flexibility, but the good side to that is: Dive leaders have to carry insurance. SSI's is WAY cheaper because of the group rates.