so i am in the process of getting certified, with some friends and I just wanted to know what the difference is between IDEA and PADI? Is one certification ageny better then the other? Does it really matter which company I get certified by? I am psoting this question because I have heard of PADI, better never of IDEA. Any help would be appreciated.
trying to get certified
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Find an instructor that has a good reputation and go with his/her agency. The quality of the dive instruction is much more important than the agency.
In the past year I've done my OW and AOW through an IDEA shop. My g/f's son just did his OW through PADI. Both OWs had the same end product as far as education, training and testing. The road to get there was much different.
IDEA:
8 weeks of one night a week, half class, half pool
1 day of OW testing in fresh water
1 day of OW testing in the ocean
PADI:
On line "class"
Friday/Sunday/Sunday of class recap and pool
2 days OW testing in the ocean
We both felt appropriately trained.
The subject matter is the same. As has been said, what you get out of it depends on you and the specific instructor.
IDEA:
8 weeks of one night a week, half class, half pool
1 day of OW testing in fresh water
1 day of OW testing in the ocean
PADI:
On line "class"
Friday/Sunday/Sunday of class recap and pool
2 days OW testing in the ocean
We both felt appropriately trained.
The subject matter is the same. As has been said, what you get out of it depends on you and the specific instructor.
Ive never heard of Idea. It might be as good as stated above so the clincher would be the instructor. Are they passionate about their job and wanting you to learn or are they more about getting it done with a fast pace. Talk to them a few different times asking questions and listening to their responses. Kinda like speed dating.
carlosrapa
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I would agree with all of the general statements above, your training is only going to be as good as your instructor. Find an instructor that is a stickler on the rules, one that doesnt sway from them. Each agency gets you to the same end goal. But stairman mentions a good point when he says "I've never heard of IDEA" PADI is everywhere, and definitely the more popular choice. But like all of the above posts the instructors skill level is the selling point but don't let him/her sell you like a used car salesperson, if they start talking more about why IDEA or PADI is a better option than the rest and harp on it, move on to the next person.
Take a look at the sticky in the New Divers subforum, about how to choose a dive instructor. What you care about is the class, not the agency. You want an instructor who has some experience, but hasn't been teaching so long that he's burned out and no longer cares. You want a schedule that permits adequate practice time, preferably spread out over several weeks, so that your subconscious has some opportunity to integrate things, and you have time to ask questions and repeat things that aren't really smooth yet.
I have seen PADI classes that are done well, and classes from other agencies that were not. The only agencies I know that really mandate what I would consider a proper length of time and amount of practice are small, boutique agencies whose classes are not widely available, and they also tend to be quite expensive.
I have seen PADI classes that are done well, and classes from other agencies that were not. The only agencies I know that really mandate what I would consider a proper length of time and amount of practice are small, boutique agencies whose classes are not widely available, and they also tend to be quite expensive.
flots am
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As long as it's got your name and picture on it and looks legitimate, your card could come from Billy-Bob's House O'SCUBA and nobody would really care much.
What you want is the best training you can find. Not "the hardest" but the training that will best prepare you to dive safely and have fun.
Once you find that, you'll almost certainly discover that whatever agency they use is just fine. The last time I checked, there were over a hundred certification agencies (places like PADI, NAUI, SSI, etc.).
flots.
RonFrank
Contributor
Find an instructor you like as the agency really does not matter. Most are very good which is why they are in this business.
In our area you can do a weekend class, or four weeknights. Basically about 16 hours of class and pool.
Then there are 4 CO dives. So one is certified with less than 2 hours of OW diving, IOW's not much. This is why I did OW and then AOW back to back.
In our area you can do a weekend class, or four weeknights. Basically about 16 hours of class and pool.
Then there are 4 CO dives. So one is certified with less than 2 hours of OW diving, IOW's not much. This is why I did OW and then AOW back to back.
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