SSI vs PADI vs NAUI

[hambleto]

I am from Wilmington, Delaware. I have looked around the area and at several shops. The instructor is the most important part of your scuba training. I never get involved in the which agency is better. I just go to a shop that I trust. I actualy drive over and hour each way to North East Scuba Supply to deal with them and their instructors. They are in Norristown, PA if you are interested. http://www.northeastscubasupply.com/
Best of luck and hope to see you in the water.
Ben

 

[jbd]

I was certified by SSI a few years back in Australia. Now, I would like to get my byfriend invovled. Is there really much of a difference between SSI, PADI and NAUI. Also, any recommendations on shops offering certification in the Philadelphia area?

There are differences in course content between agencies, and there is much that is the same. I don't know about course content for other agencies other than NAUI and PADI. The main differences between NAUI and PADI at the OW level are NAUI includes skindiving skills PADI doesn't. NAUI includes diver recovery and intro to in water rescue breathing PADI doesn't. What it comes down to is what you feel is important.

What does make a big difference is the instructor. Interview the instructor, ask about the course content, ask about passing standards, ask about practicing for proficiency, ask about buoyancy control proficiency. If they tell you that you need another course for buoyancy control or that you'll figure it out after 25 to 30 or more dives--keep looking, you haven't found the right person.

 

[christ daniel]

The key is your instructor. There is no big different for beginer level, what you got is basic knowledge of scuba diving skills. Then you will see the difference when you entering PRO level.

 

[kelemvor]

The NAUI Open Water course covers things like solo diving (aka self reliant diver) that SSI and PADI charge extra for. Basically, NAUI is a nonprofit organization that allows instructors to make a profit educating students. SSI and PADI are geared more towards making money for the agency (and also the instructors). So they do things like break off parts of the class and sell them as separate"specialty" classes. NAUI does it as well (for example there is a seperate nitrox class), but to a lesser extent.

 

[redacted]

The c-cards issued by each agency all work the same. I would look for the most convient option and temper that with cost and instructor. I would not even consider the agency for OW.

 

[morg59]

I chose the shop that was near me and had the people that I liked the best. Did not care what the agency was.

 

[boulderjohn]

The NAUI Open Water course covers things like solo diving (aka self reliant diver) that SSI and PADI charge extra for.

Please be serious.

If you read that link, it says that NAUI-rained dives should be able to dive solo safely simply because they are so very well trained in basic diving techniques as a part of the OW class. Solo diving skills are not taught as a part of that class, though. In contrast, the agencies that do teach solo classes teach specific diving techniques for solo diving, including use of specific equipment. That is why those agencies that teach those classes provide a card that is accepted by dive operators (at their discretion) to allow solo diving. I know of no instance in which the NAUI OW card by itself is accepted for that reason, probably because, as they clearly say in that link, they don't teach anything that is different from a standard OW course.

Doesn't it also depend upon the individual instructor? As I have mentioned before, my niece was NAUI certified in Okinawa after a 2-hour pool session and one OW dive to a depth of 10 feet. Are those the credentials that qualify her to be a solo diver? In fact, she has never dived since being certified, and she believes she has no qualifications for ANY diving, let alone solo.

 

[MB]

Original post is more than 10 years old. Admittedly, most of the argument has not changed. Walter's post (post #2) summarizes things very well.

And no, the basic NAUI course (Scuba Diver) does not prepare solo divers - then or now.

 

[kelemvor]

Please be serious.

If you read that link, it says that NAUI-rained dives should be able to dive solo safely simply because they are so very well trained in basic diving techniques as a part of the OW class. Solo diving skills are not taught as a part of that class, though. In contrast, the agencies that do teach solo classes teach specific diving techniques for solo diving, including use of specific equipment. That is why those agencies that teach those classes provide a card that is accepted by dive operators (at their discretion) to allow solo diving. I know of no instance in which the NAUI OW card by itself is accepted for that reason, probably because, as they clearly say in that link, they don't teach anything that is different from a standard OW course.

Doesn't it also depend upon the individual instructor? As I have mentioned before, my niece was NAUI certified in Okinawa after a 2-hour pool session and one OW dive to a depth of 10 feet. Are those the credentials that qualify her to be a solo diver? In fact, she has never dived since being certified, and she believes she has no qualifications for ANY diving, let alone solo.

Like any scuba instruction, lots - maybe too much - is left to the individual instructor. For what it's worth, the NAUI OW class (and manual) does cover solo diving. It includes instruction on H valves, multiple regulators, pony bottles etc... Maybe some instructors skip part of the OW course materials? It's definitely in the book and my instructor covered it.

As far as a card "being accepted".. you and I both know that's mostly a function of weather or not the operator 1. sells scuba instruction, and 2. wants to make money selling classes or DM services, and 3. how they feel about a diver after meeting them.

 

[MB]

The NAUI scuba dive course includes knowledge about different valves, types of regulators, redundant air systems, self rescue, and so much more. But it does not include solo diving. To the contrary, the course stresses reliance on the buddy system.

Now if you ask if a graduate of that class has the knowledge and skill to dive solo on occasion, my answer would be that many folks might be ready to do that. But it isn't taught in the actual curriculum. Let's hope that divers would get a lot more experience and specific training before thinking that they are ready to dive solo.