SSI credentials for PADI prereqs

[slimmydave]

Hi there - I am ready to GoPro! I understand that in PADI one completes DM, then AI, then instructor. If I get my SSI Divecon (which includes AI) will that save me taking PADI's AI if I want to go on to PADI instructor? Goal is PADI instructor, current cert level is AOW/Nitrox from SSI with 88 dives and PADI Rescue Diver. Will Divecon save me money in the long run? Will it save me time?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

AI is not necessary for Instructor. But IMO is a good step. I'm a current Dm who was going to go instructor but decided that 150 some dives in cold, warm, low vis, drysuit, fresh, salt and strong currents is not enough experience to be the kind of instructor I want to be. I'm taking intro to tech, heliotrox, then adv nitrox and deco before starting to go the instructor route. I've seen too many instructors who got their rating after a hundred dives and did not have enough experience with students to be effective. If you do not get the SSI instructor rating you will still have to do the IDC and IE for around 2000 bucks or so depending on where you do it. The AI is again not needed but a little time as an AI and as a DM will be a big plus for you. BTW I've helped cert over 40 students from jr ow to rescue, assisted with over 50 dicover scuba's and done a few refreshers on my own. I still feel I have alot to learn. Could I take and pass the IDC and IE now? I believe so. My instructor thinks so. But again I want more time and experience.

 

[slimmydave]

okay...awesome...thank you. So you are saying that PADI will treat an SSI DiveCon as a PADI divemaster if they want to continue on to instructor? That's lame. Would you say, then, that Dive Con would be a waste of time and that I might as well just go PADI DM now? What about the Divecon being considered an AI? PADI doesn't see it that way. In a nutshell...for entry to PADI IDC...do they see SSI Divecon and PADI DM as the same thing? Same amount of work?

Also thank you for your insight as to when the time is right to go for it. Looking at your profile I see that we are kinda similar...in our 40's, diving many years, dived many different types of water...so why are you leary? We are older and have more life experience and people skills than the 20-25 year old instructors with <100 dives becoming instructors nowadays. It sounds to me like you are ready. I know that done right, I will make a great instructor. Sounds like you would too!

Old Guys Rock!

 

[diverdown247]

slimmydave,

I've been looking into that exact issue for a PADI crossover myself. Here's what I was informed of:

SSI DiveCon is treated like the PADI Divemaster (crossover course for DM IS recommended, possibly required to go PADI Instructor)

SSI AI may or may not be treated as a PADI AI (totally up to the instructor) and yes, SSI DOES have an AI card (crossover cours IS required to PADI AI).

SSI Instructor is treated like PADI Instructor (crossover course IS required to PADI Instructor or above).

I am a current SSI AOWI and wondered what was needed to get the crossover. I was informed that although the crossover may not be needed at the DM level that it is highly recommended due to the differences in both systems. I have an opportunity to get a crossover course for roughly $1800 for DM to AOWI including books/materials. That might seem a bit high, but when you price the course materials for DM to AOWI, it's pretty reasonable.

 

[Hoyden]

Hi there - I am ready to GoPro! I understand that in PADI one completes DM, then AI, then instructor. If I get my SSI Divecon (which includes AI) will that save me taking PADI's AI if I want to go on to PADI instructor? Goal is PADI instructor, current cert level is AOW/Nitrox from SSI with 88 dives and PADI Rescue Diver. Will Divecon save me money in the long run? Will it save me time?


...So you are saying that PADI will treat an SSI DiveCon as a PADI divemaster if they want to continue on to instructor? That's lame. Would you say, then, that Dive Con would be a waste of time and that I might as well just go PADI DM now? What about the Divecon being considered an AI? PADI doesn't see it that way. In a nutshell...for entry to PADI IDC...do they see SSI Divecon and PADI DM as the same thing? Same amount of work?

If you want to become a PADI instructor, you will probably be better served (both in the time and money categories) by taking the PADI Divemaster class. The PADI divemaster class is where all dive theory and demonstration skills are covered. You are expected to have mastered these by the time you enter your IDC. You also begin to learn PADI standards and familiarize yourself with the PADI instructor's manual and other PADI materials. Acting as a PADI divemaster will also allow you to assist with PADI classes so that you become familiar with PADI class structure and organization. Most of the PADI instructors I know went from divemaster to directly to instructor by doing a 7 day IDC instead of the 5 day version.

As far as becoming a SSI divecon, you will gain no benefit (as far as PADI is concerned) over a PADI divemaster - both SSI divecon and Padi divemaster are treated the same as far as entry into an IDC. If you became an instructor with SSI you would be treated the same as a PADI assistant instructor as far as the amount of time spent in your IDC.


YMMV,

Jackie

 

[Jim Lapenta]

okay...awesome...thank you. So you are saying that PADI will treat an SSI DiveCon as a PADI divemaster if they want to continue on to instructor? That's lame. Would you say, then, that Dive Con would be a waste of time and that I might as well just go PADI DM now? What about the Divecon being considered an AI? PADI doesn't see it that way. In a nutshell...for entry to PADI IDC...do they see SSI Divecon and PADI DM as the same thing? Same amount of work?

Also thank you for your insight as to when the time is right to go for it. Looking at your profile I see that we are kinda similar...in our 40's, diving many years, dived many different types of water...so why are you leary? We are older and have more life experience and people skills than the 20-25 year old instructors with <100 dives becoming instructors nowadays. It sounds to me like you are ready. I know that done right, I will make a great instructor. Sounds like you would too!

Old Guys Rock!

It's a personal thing with me at this time really. Besides the money and time element, (my real job I swing shifts, mandatory OT and enjoy my vacations) I've been assisting with classes for over a year now and even though I enjoy it I went thru a period towards the end of last summer when it got a little old. I was doing dives that I considered fun and for me but not enough of them. So I started doing more solo stuff, got a new buddy who is DIR trained for once in awhile and went to BPW. It recharged me and this year I vowed not to get bogged down in classes and even out fun and working dives. It's why I'm doing the transition to tech. Taking intro to tech and heliotrox then adv nitrox and deco. Then maybe I'll do the IDC next year or just focus on DM and technical DM. Wanting the experience and additional training will only make me that much more as an instructor while giving me outlets for my own interests when I want to get away and go on a wreck in the 200 ft range. It will keep me sharp. Plus I'll dive alot more. Won't have to schedule around classes, will have more people to choose from and more areas open to me.

 

[Dive-aholic]

The PADI DM course contains a lot of PADI specific information. This is where you learn how to use PADI's Instructor Manual and begin learning the standards. It's okay to do a DiveCon course first, but you'll be behind the game as far as standards are concerned. Might as well go with PADI from the beginning if that's where you plan on ending up. It will save you lots of time and money. Besides, as a PADI DM you can do some independent work - scuba reviews, DSDs, leading dives, and as a DiveCon you have to be affiliated with a store to do anything DiveCon related.

 

[slimmydave]

Thank you all for your sound advice. I will go ahead with the PADI DM to IDC to IE path. Lots of good insight, happy I joined ScubaBoard. Thanks again.

 

[GrandpaScuba]

slimmydave,
...SSI AI may or may not be treated as a PADI AI (totally up to the instructor) and yes, SSI DOES have an AI card (crossover cours IS required to PADI AI).
...

Some confustion here seems to be related to throwing around acronyms. "AI" specfically. In SSI, the Dive Control Specialist is both a Dive Master and Assistant Instructor. The "AI" card in SSI is for an Associate Instructor - which is an instructor that has pass a course taught by an Instructor Trainer, but has not yet passed the test from the Instructor Certifier. Note the difference between Assistant/Associate.

 

[diverdown247]

Some confustion here seems to be related to throwing around acronyms. "AI" specfically. In SSI, the Dive Control Specialist is both a Dive Master and Assistant Instructor. The "AI" card in SSI is for an Associate Instructor - which is an instructor that has pass a course taught by an Instructor Trainer, but has not yet passed the test from the Instructor Certifier. Note the difference between Assistant/Associate.

No confusion necessary. The information from my previous post is the exact information I was given by the PADI certifier in response to my current certification levels held. According to PADIs webpage, the Instructor Examination is for the Instructor Development Course (IDC) only, not the Assistant Instructor level.