SSI Shop Crossover

[Justin Bove]

I found this video and thought you might like it.

 

[tridacna]

There’s another reason: A lot of stores resent PADI’s intrusion into travel. They now have access to every customer that signs up with the LDS and are actively marketing travel. If you’re running your own travel division, this is generally not seen as a positive thing. At the last DEMA show, PADI invited us to a cocktail party which was used to introduce us to their travel group. We lasted 10 minutes.

 

[Wildbill]

I know here in FL SSI cancelled most LDS contracts when they were bought out by Mares. I had just got my SSI Dive Control Specialist ( Basically an AI level at other dive organizations) and they pulled my certifying shop so I was basically screwed since to keep my Cert current I had to be affiliated with an SSI shop. The LDS owner who is also a long time friend and my instructor felt bad because of all my hard work was for nothing. He found me a local SDI instructor that would do a 1 on 1 crossover class to SDI Asst. Insrt. for cost of material and admin fees. My LDS owner/friend offered same deal for PADI DM. I've completed both and now a total of 3 Pro Level certs. My plan is to continue through with SDI/ERDI because I have other PSD certs and lead a Search and Recovery Dive Team the Sheriff's Office I work for. Only problem is to keep my SDI AI current I need to assist in teaching courses and my SDI instr. is not doing any and I have to now find another shop that I can work out of. It's a mess keeping up with everything, basically I'm over-qualified LOL

 

[Wildbill]

There’s another reason: A lot of stores resent PADI’s intrusion into travel. They now have access to every customer that signs up with the LDS and are actively marketing travel. If you’re running your own travel division, this is generally not seen as a positive thing. At the last DEMA show, PADI invited us to a cocktail party which was used to introduce us to their travel group. We lasted 10 minutes.

I agree.... When taking my PADI DM class, every lesson revolved back to how to make a sale of equipment or place to travel to for a dive!! I began to wonder if I was in a DM course or a Marketing class..... Turns out they are one in the same with PADI

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Removed comments. Realize I know the OP and he already knows what I wanted to pass along!

 

[oly5050user]

I agree.... When taking my PADI DM class, every lesson revolved back to how to make a sale of equipment or place to travel to for a dive!! I began to wonder if I was in a DM course or a Marketing class..... Turns out they are one in the same with PADI

Diving is a business. To be successful and stay in business the facility needs to make sales, and in today's market the business needs to use every opportunity it gets. Instructors and divemasters who get majority of work and opportunity to teach know this . Sell gear, sell continue education, sell trips. Instructors who do not sell usually sit at home and wonder why the facility they associate with does not have any work for them. PADI shows you the tools to be successful, it's up to you to make use of the tools. it not just PADI, SSI can be even more aggressive with sales .

 

[abnfrog]

@Wildbill you do not have to teach you just have to be active , taking courses can count and im sure you can work out something with sdi/tdi head quarters

 

[rick00001967]

Does anyone know of a shop crossing over to SSI? I need to find a crossover class sooner than later. My PADI cert has quickly become useless in the midwest. I was mainly teaching DRI but want to get back into some recreational stuff. Any help is appreciated. I'd go about anywhere. Ryan

fyi.....if you are interested there will be a pro crossover in boca raton fl sept 7 and 8. this will be a free crossover.

 

[CarcharodonCarcharias]

fyi.....if you are interested there will be a pro crossover in boca raton fl sept 7 and 8. this will be a free crossover.

Isn't PADI crossover to SSI is ok but for SSI to crossover to PADI one will have to take the IDC from PADI and do the dance again?

 

[tstormdiver]

Isn't PADI crossover to SSI is ok but for SSI to crossover to PADI one will have to take the IDC from PADI and do the dance again?

Yep. While most agencies do straight crossovers, one from another,... PADI does not play well with others.