What Certification Agency do you use?
- Thread starter Zed
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
Frank Kohler
Contributor
I think that NAUI is pretty big atlest down here in fl i see a lot of people with it.
I believe I heard that PADI is the largest, with SSI and NAUI being relatively close seconds, sometimes trading 2nd and 3rd. Not sure though... it would probably be more accurate to simply get "# of certifications per year" from each of them.
scubatwinned
Contributor
I think Padi is bigger only for the fact that it was around the world as an entity when it was concieved and Naui is spreading but was first as an north american based entity. As such padi was reconized more when traveling and diving in the earlier years. I have been with instructors from both and I would say it's the instructor thats the diff. and not the agency because I have seen good and bad in both.
I started with SSI, and switched to NAUI after reaching Master Diver.
Also NAUI has tec programs, the last I knew SSI was strictly recreational
Also NAUI has tec programs, the last I knew SSI was strictly recreational
I moved this thread from the Introductions and Greets forum for better placement and exposure.
I was certified NAUI in 1979 and then took a Los Angeles County Course in 1985 that took a full semester at a University. I can't say enough good things about the L.A County Course.
Not that I was at all unhappy with the NAUI course. Both were excellent, but due to the amount of time, the second covered far more information.
Christian
I was certified NAUI in 1979 and then took a Los Angeles County Course in 1985 that took a full semester at a University. I can't say enough good things about the L.A County Course.
Not that I was at all unhappy with the NAUI course. Both were excellent, but due to the amount of time, the second covered far more information.
Christian
IDD (Instructor Dive Development, http://www.iddworld.com), similar to SSI.
Then PADI, due to my local shop.
Next up, GUE...
Laurens
Then PADI, due to my local shop.
Next up, GUE...
Laurens
Zed:I am new to SCUBA. It is my impression that PADI is the prevalent certification agency here in the USA. I wondered what the truth is
I am a NAUI student.
Well, most of my certs are PADI, but I was trained PADI OW and AWD in Jomtiem Beach, Thailand.
I have a lot of PADI specialties and NAUI Nitrox. I am hoping to do extended range training, which I believe my Instructor certs through IANTDI (is that the right acronym? It's too long
).
garyfotodiver
Contributor
- Messages
- 1,308
- Reaction score
- 4
- # of dives
- 200 - 499
Welcome to the fraternity. There is a tremendous amount of discussion on this topic here in the forum.
My first c-card came from the now-defunct NASDS in 1970. Since NASDS was bought by SSI, I now have a SSI card. I have recently taken an advanced course through SSI and intend to do more. My daughter has a PADI c-card and I do not plan on switching her over, at least for the present.
For 95+% of all the divers, the name on the card does not matter. They are all recognized. I can still get air fills and book dive trips with my NASDS card. The most important aspect is, in my opinion, the instructor who teaches you. If you have a rapport with your instructor and trust him (or her), you have an advantage.
Good luck!
My first c-card came from the now-defunct NASDS in 1970. Since NASDS was bought by SSI, I now have a SSI card. I have recently taken an advanced course through SSI and intend to do more. My daughter has a PADI c-card and I do not plan on switching her over, at least for the present.
For 95+% of all the divers, the name on the card does not matter. They are all recognized. I can still get air fills and book dive trips with my NASDS card. The most important aspect is, in my opinion, the instructor who teaches you. If you have a rapport with your instructor and trust him (or her), you have an advantage.
Good luck!
Similar threads
