Swapping/Transferring Between Training Agencies?

[Diesel97]

Hi Guys, first post

I obtained my PADI OW qualification in March of this year through a LDS. Due to work commitments I have only recently got back diving again as I couldnt afford the spare time. During the March - late October period that I wasnt diving the LDS I did my OW with has closed and the only other LDS runs SSI courses. Ive had a look and done a bit of research into SSI's system and find that I prefer it in comparison to PADI. My question is whether or not I am able to swap over to the SSI system and start using an SSI logbook etc to follow their "Total Divelog System"? What they call a Level One diver in their system is someone who has completed the first 5 dives and had their instructor sign off on their logs. After these 5 dives they are a Level Two diver, after 12 dives they are a Level Three diver and so on. Am I able to swap over and follow this system?

Cheers for any info you can offer,
Brad

 

[JTJ]

Welcome to the board! I am in a similar situation. I moved from Kansas to Ohio. When I went to the LDS they informed me that I will be able to switch to the SSI system since they are moving away from PADI (I don't know why).

 

[divingjd]

No reason at all you can't switch over. The "Levels" are primarily for you to measure your own experience and progress as a diver. You will find some differences between the SSI tables and the PADI tables and the way you fill out the dive profiles on each logbook page. I am sure the folks at your new LDS will be happy to explain it to you.

 

[2905luvsbubbles]

The important thing is to log those dives, so that you can learn from each of them. They will help to fine tune your weight requirements and you can also tracxk your air consumption this way. It is amazing to watch your aire consumption slowly decrease as you become a more experienced diver. Welcome to the board.

 

[Walter]

You can take any class with any agency (assuming you are ready for that particular class) and you can always use whatever logbook you prefer.

 

[rjack321]

There is no cross-over for GUE classes. Otherwise most agencies put you into their equivalent

 

[Spratman]

Only real difference with SSI, is if you are going pro. Then you must work through an LDS or you're hosed. I started with PADI, went to SSI and will finish my training through NAUI.

Good luck! Oh yeah, welcome to the board!

 

[Dive-aholic]

The level thing is just a way to try to get divers to dive more...and to dive more with their instructors. You can log your dives in a notebook if you want. I've made up my own log pages on my computer that are specifically designed for the type of diving I do. Easier for me to log and cheaper for me to make.

I guess I'll be the first to say it...in this thread...it's the instructor, not the agency. Don't worry about what agency you are associated with, just find an instructor(s) you like and get your advanced training from those instructors.

 

[Walter]

I guess I'll be the first to say it...in this thread...it's the instructor, not the agency.

Two points:

1. This has nothing to do with the question asked and..

2. It's not true.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Two points:

1. This has nothing to do with the question asked and..

But it does...the OP should feel obligated to any one agency. What if the SSI shop closes in 6 months. Then what happens - another log book change? The OP can always try to track down one of the instructors from his old shop. PADI does allow independent instructors.

2. It's not true.

How can you say that? I've read lots of your posts and would not have expected a response like that from you. I know you're not a PADI fan. However, you can have PADI instructors who are great instructors and YMCA instructors who are horrible. No agency is perfect.