SSI or PADI?

[T_in_AZ]

Hi all - I am new to diving and plan to be certified by the end of summer. The 2 large shops in my area offer SSI and PADI certs. What do you reccomend and why?

Also, I'm looking for rash gaurds to fit a 6'7" 375 lbs man and 5'4" 225 lbs woman... any idea where to find them?

Thanks in advance for the help and expertise! So far the forum has been very helpful!

T

 

[nwhitney2003]

I'm sure others will chime in with roughly the same bit of advice, but just in case. Interview the instructors and get to know them and their teaching style. Ask for references and check those. Ask if they have ever not issued a cert. card. You don't want an instructor that passes everyone all the time. Essentially SSI and PADI are the same from my understanding. It's more important to find a quality instructor/LDS then to worry about what agency you get certified with.

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

Definitely instructors will make the difference in what you get out of the class. I started SSI for OW and Nitrox. Then I dove with that shop on a trip and it opened my eyes. I was left on my own even though they knew it was my first ocean diving. Needless to say, after getting a mentor, it opened my eyes to the reckless type of dive instruction that was being given to me and other more experienced divers at that shop. I have since found a great LDS that focuses on safety first and has an awesome instructor that knows his stuff. I then got my AOW through NAUI and will get my cavern soon. For me, the card and what organization that starts you on your diving journey means little, but how you are taught is priceless!

Good luck!
Carolyn:sharks:

 

[Hepcat62]

We had an excellent experience at our SSI shop, but it really all comes down to the instructor. I'm sure you can have an excellent experience with either organization.

I will say this though... Having now dived with a recent PADI "advanced" open-water certified diver, I can say that I really appreciate SSI's 25 dive requirement for AOW certification. Obviously that was one specific individual, there's no guarantee that somebody with 25 dives is better than someone with 10, yadda-yadda, etc. It may take longer to get, but I think that the dive requirement at least stands a chance at making it a more credible certification.

 

[ronbeau]

Hi all - I am new to diving and plan to be certified by the end of summer. The 2 large shops in my area offer SSI and PADI certs. What do you recommend and why?

Also, I'm looking for rash guards to fit a 6'7" 375 lbs man and 5'4" 225 lbs woman... any idea where to find them?

Thanks in advance for the help and expertise! So far the forum has been very helpful!

T

For open water scuba training you should make the choice based on the quality of the instructor NOT the agency.

Please click on the link shown below and look at the second posting from Walter within the thread. His posting provides an excellent guideline of questions to ask the prospective instructor before you make your instructor decision.

As Walter indicates as one of the items in his instructor the patience of the instructor is extremely important. My open water instructor indicated that as long as the student is putting in an honest effort he would stay with the student until he/she master the necessary skills. This included letting the student use the pool when other classes were running and working on any skills that were not up to par.

I can tell you from personal experience it makes all the difference in the world.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/so...9401-great-instructor-selection-criteria.html

I can't help you with the larger size rash guards however.

 

[Walter]

You may find excellent classes at either, both, or neither of those shops. Good luck in your search.

 

[Pearldiver07]

Having lived in Tucson and had many dealings with both of the shops you're referencing...

I'd go with the PADI shop, not because I think that their instruction is better, but because of the treatment I've received in each shop.

The SSI one has always been very helpful until I let them know that that at most I'm looking to get a couple of smaller accessories. Then I couldn't get help if I tried.

The PADI shop, although I thought was always a bit less organized, was run in a way that seemed to encourage browsing, talking with the staff, and overall, enjoying the time in the store. They were always helpful, whatever the questions I was asking.

At the time, I wasn't teaching at all, so I approached these shops from a purely recreational diver perspective. The PADI shop didn't even know I was at the pro level (made my life simpler on trips).

Bottom line? Choose the shop as well as the agency. Since you've got a long way to drive to get to another shop besides these (the local IDEA shop doesn't really compare - if it's still there), the long term relationship for service, etc. will be very important.

Hope that this helps.

 

[Hoomi]

Are you in the Tucson area, T? If so, I know the Dive Shop on Prince Rd. is a PADI facility, and they have "Discover Scuba" courses the last Wednesday of each month. They're free, and can give you an idea about both the instructors and the facility. I'm not sure if Desert Divers on 1st Ave. has something similar, but you might check.

I'd only been in the smaller of the two Desert Divers shops, and that one (I believe) just closed down recently, leaving just the main shop on 1st. The Dive Shop has a decent selection of suits, and judging from the various clientele I've seen going through there, they have some experience with finding gear for people who aren't right smack in the middle of the "ideal average" sizes. I would venture that Desert Divers would also have experience with this, as diving isn't a sport that excludes those in less than Olympian condition.

Whether you're here in Tucson or not, visit the two shops in person and talk to them about your questions and concerns. One of the first things you want to look for in any shop, regardless of whether it's diviing, bike riding, quilt-making, or any other pursuit, is that they care enough to patiently answer your questions and point you in the right direction. They should clearly want to point you to what you need, not just what will get them the quickest buck in their registers, and should be neither patronizing nor disparaging of your newbie status.

 

[T_in_AZ]

WOW! What great responses! Looks like I will educate myself on agencies however my focus will be on the service and feel I get from the shop.
I am in Tucson and I've been to both shops you spoke of.... I had a rather positive expereince in both.
Thanks so much for the advice! This forum will be top of my Favorites list. Much appreciated folks!!
T

 

[Doc]

This forum will be top of my Favorites list.

As to the rashguard question- look at Wetwear - Wet Suits for Sport Divers

They make a bunch of great suits, all custom measured. I would suggest a polarfleece over a rashguard, much more usable and diverse applications.

When you get ready for a wetsuit, consider their suits with full length zippers on both the arms and legs. Cat's meow.