Scuba Schools International?

[wetrat]

A local dive shop offers certification from Scuba Schools International. I just assumed that everyone used the PADI certication. Anyone have experience with this type of certification? How does it compare to PADI? Thanks in advance.

The biggest differences are that SSI requires their instructors to work through a dive shop. SSI also requires, in addition to classwork, 24 logged dives for AOW certification and 50 logged dives for dive master. There are many more PADI divers, but SSI is also a universally accepted certification.

 

[garyfotodiver]

SSI used to be NASDS, it was considered to be the first name in training for years. In fact, the BOW was equal to AOW in other agencies.

Actually, SSI bought NASDS.

My original c-card came from NASDS; when I needed a new one, I went to SSI. Never regretted it.

When I took my Rescue and my AOW, I found a SSI instructor in Racine, WI. Never regretted that, either.

 

[jagfish]

...50 logged dives for dive master...

Is that 50 logged dives to begin the DM training or to finish it? PADI needs 20 to begin and 60 total to finish...

 

[CON8IV]

Is that 50 logged dives to begin the DM training or to finish it? PADI needs 20 to begin and 60 total to finish...

I think Wetrat is talking about SSI's "master diver" program. You need 50 logged dives for that.

 

[Jeff Toorish]

I have certifications from PADI and SSI (as well as DAN for O2). My OW and AOW were both PADI, for EAN (Nitrox) I went with SSI, and I'm takin the SSI Diver Stress and Rescue course. I believe I will go with SSI for Dive Master next year.

I have to agree, it is more about the instructor than the agency. All the major agencies are certified by an international commission...so their standards are extremely close.

Jeff

 

[Rick Murchison]

Actually, SSI bought NASDS.

"Actually," NASDS was formed in 1961; SSI split off from NASDS in 1970. In '98 NASDS and SSI decided to merge again... As SSI was now the larger organization and already had "International" in its name, the decision to be "SSI" was a natural.
Rick

 

[wetrat]

I think Wetrat is talking about SSI's "master diver" program. You need 50 logged dives for that.

Yes. I'm talking about the "Master Diver" program. To earn the certification for Master Diver, you must complete 5 specialty courses and have done a total of 50 dives. Sorry about the confusion! In my mind, I had been equating PADI's Dive Master with SSI's Master Diver and now I see they are different. Crap.

As I was looking through my SSI Deep Diving specialty book though, I see Uncle Ricky Murchison listed as a contributing photographer. Interesting!

John

 

[garyfotodiver]

"Actually," NASDS was formed in 1961; SSI split off from NASDS in 1970. In '98 NASDS and SSI decided to merge again... As SSI was now the larger organization and already had "International" in its name, the decision to be "SSI" was a natural.
Rick

As I said, SSI bought NASDS...

There is never a "merger between equals." One dog is always bigger; just look at the Chrysler - DB "merger".

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

Some of the confusion above was with SSI terminology. They have a Master Diver rating which requires four specialties, Stress & Rescue, and 50 logged dives. They don't have a "Divemaster" rating per se. They offer a Dive Con rating (Dive Control Specialist) which is a combination of Assistant Instructor and Divemaster in other agencies.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Just fyi NAUI also has a Master Diver rating.

Several of my good friends and dive buddies are SSI divers/instructors/dive cons. Their training is similar to our NAUI training and SSI and NAUI actually partnered on the Passport Diver/Discover Scuba program. I use the SSI leaders as much as I use my NAUI DM's/AI's. Go with the instructor you like the best, if it was me I would choose SSI but everyone is different.
Ber :lilbunny: