should i get ssi and padi cirtified

[dvoodoo83]

should i get ssi and padi cirtified. i took the ssi course and got cirtfied and if i pay $25 i can be padi cirtified also. isit worth the extra $25 and what is the point of being both thanks, dvoodoo83

 

[Drew Sailbum]

Both PADI and SSI are widely recognized; no worry there.

PADI has made its certification records accessible to PADI Dive Centers and Resorts through an online search. If you show up at a dive shop and have lost or forgotten your certification card, the dive center can verify a PADI certification online. I don't think this is the case with any other certification agency at this time.

So long as you remember to bring your card every time, this is of no real benefit to you.

You can continue your dive education with either agency, or choose an entirely different agency, regardless of which agency(s) you already hold a certification through.

 

[DeputyDan]

The simple answer is no.

However lots of folks like to collect cards >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[pt40fathoms]

Save the $25.00 for a second card, and instead sign up for the AOW course with PADI. It will cost a little more than just getting a second card, but then you will get the benefit of the world wide verification of PADI in case you misplace your card while traveling, as well as the added education from the AOW course.

 

[diverbrian]

should i get ssi and padi cirtified. i took the ssi course and got cirtfied and if i pay $25 i can be padi cirtified also. isit worth the extra $25 and what is the point of being both thanks, dvoodoo83

My advice is to take your AOW course through whatever agency you choose with a good instructor (hopefully) and use the $25.00 for tank fills to get better at diving.

 

[H2Andy]

being certified by both agencies is not necessary. but let me be a contrarian:

however, it might be worth to spend the $25.00 just to get into PADI's wolrdwide database. you might end up never taking another class from PADI. no one plans to lose their card (or passport) but it happens.

is $25.00 too much to ensure that you will never be turned away for lack of certification from a PADI resort anywhere in the world as long as you live? lose your card just once and the $25.00 pays for itself.

 

[diverbrian]

being certified by both agencies is not necessary. but let me be a contrarian:

however, it might be worth to spend the $25.00 just to get into PADI's wolrdwide database. you might end up never taking another class from PADI. no one plans to lose their card (or passport) but it happens.

is $25.00 too much to ensure that you will never be turned away for lack of certification from a PADI resort anywhere in the world as long as you live? lose your card just once and the $25.00 pays for itself.

As I recall, SSI cards are in a database as well. I don't see where the PADI database is any different than SSI's. If you have a computer or a telephone, I believe that you can get into either one.

 

[H2Andy]

if SSI provides a similar service, then yeah, no reason to spend the $25.00, so long as you can convince the shop to look up the card for you.

it was my understanding that PADI was the only agency doing this.

anyone know for sure?

 

[diverbrian]

if SSI provides a similar service, then yeah, no reason to spend the $25.00, so long as you can convince the shop to look up the card for you.

it was my understanding that PADI was the only agency doing this.

anyone know for sure?

All that I know is that I was able to check the status on my certifications from my house. Their card replacement form is online. I got really bored last night and happened to be poking around their website. OK, really, really bored to be looking at dive training websites on a Saturday night?

 

[H2Andy]

ok, let's say that i arrive at a shop in Anguila and they have web acess. i lost my SSI card. would they be able to check and make sure that i am certified, to the point that they will let me dive?

i guess that's my question (asked exceedingly poorly, i admit)