Recertification advice

[kard]

Hello All,

I would like to hear some opinons on recertification.

I got certified by PADI way back in 1990 and after certification only did shallow (-40) lake dives. It has been 12 years since I have been diving and would like to get back into it again.

After 12 years I know I need more than just a refresher course, I need to take the whole OW course again. Not only to relearn the basic skills again, but also to learn about the new gadgets like dive computers, electronic dive tables etc.

My question is would it be of any advantage to get recertified by another agency like SSI or stick with PADI?

One of the reason I ask is (correct me if I am wrong) that PADI doesn't require a minimum number of dives to go to AOW and with SSI they require a minimum of 25 dives before going to AOW? Also doesn't SSI require more trainig dives than PADI?

I know about the instructor being more important than the agency, but all instructors being equal, isn't SSI a little more in depth? Or is that just anti PADI people talking?

If anyone is intrested in diving with a newbie let me know, I would love to find some more experinced people to dive with who don't mind a rookie tagging along.

 

[Walter]

You are comparing apples and oranges. SSI doesn't actually have a AOW class. With SSI, you can buy an Advanced card if you have completed x (I believe it is 5) number of specialty courses and have 25 logged dives. (It's similar in concept to PADI's Master Diver certification) PADI has an AOW course that's pretty much a joke. Neither has a true advanced class. With either OW card or one from any of several other agencies, you can take a real advanced class when you are ready to do so.

Read this post for how to select the best available OW class.

 

[jpsexton]

Welcome aboard! Keep you eye on the Kentucky Piranha Patrol section of the board. Things are a little slow there right now but it will pick up allot when spring comes around. There is usually someone diving every weekend during the warm months.

As far as training goes, all instructors are not equal. Find an instructor that your comfortable with and don't worry about the agency.

 

[Diving Doc]

As far as training goes, all instructors are not equal. Find an instructor that your comfortable with and don't worry about the agency.

Well said.......best peice of advice i could give too

 

[TheHobster]

PADI has an AOW course that's pretty much a joke. Neither has a true advanced class. With either OW card or one from any of several other agencies, you can take a real advanced class when you are ready to do so.

Come on up to Indy and we'll teach a PADI AOW that IS worthwhile & not a joke. It doesn't matter the org as much as the instructor. Find one that will require that you reach above expectations for each dive.

AOW is a bit of semantics; it just means you have experiences beyond the OW level. It requires the 1st dive of 5 specialties, with Deep and Navigation being required. We also include Peak Performance Buoyancy, Wreck and either Night or Photo, depending on where, what time of year, etc. We usually do the deep dive (and usually wreck too) at Gilboa, so you'll get viz rivaling the best in the Midwest as well.

If Indy is too far, see Lori in Cinncy as she and her co-instructor give a most excellent AOW. Either way, take one where you will learn, not just check off boxes on a form.

 

[300bar]

Besides you being "out" of diving, there alway seems to be a misunderstading about the PADI AOW.People aways call this a advanced diver course and there is no such thing with PADI.There is a advanced OPENWATER course,and that is no more nor less than a openwater diver with and xtra trick or two,there for there is no reason to wait between OW and AOW they/you will just have some more training/experiance.
IMO do the resfresher course do alot of dives,and for the info on rhe new divestuff go talk to your LDS.

just my 2 cts.

cheers