Which agency?

[jbd]

PADI also has a variety of media, including videos for those that are more visually oriented. Read it in a book. See it in a video. Hear it from the instructor. Do it under his supervision. Hopefully, at least one of those teaching methods works for each individual.

I think most agencies now have multi media approaches to learning material. All the books have pretty color pictures and nice graphics. One thing I found annoying with the PADI text book was that every couple of pages there was an advertisement for something that would part you from your money---directly into PADI's bank account. I didn't like it 10 years ago and I still don't like it. IMHO a textbook is for learning from, not an advertising venue which is what most magazines are for.

NAUI's education kit includes text book, video, cassette tapes and a workbook. Classroom presentations are expected to build on what those venue's present to the student.

 

[DPJ]

I was certified through PADI, and had a really good open water instructor. For my AOW, I ended up feeling like I paid for the dives and got a free card. I worked hard for my Dive Master rating with another good instructor. I was out of diving for awhile and wandered into an SSI shop. I was impressed with the instructor and the material and am seriously considering my continuing my professional education with them.

 

[shaneevans1]

My Naui O/W was challenging, and interesting, and as stated above by others MUCH more experienced than I, you learn what the most common, and most dangerous injuries are. By medical name. The test was no walk in the park, either.
The multimedia materials in my Naui O/W binder included a 1/2" thick textbook, in full color, a video, 2 audio cds, and a workbook that were all matching in content, with the textbook being much more detailed. It included a waterproof set of Naui dive tables, pencil, pen, highlight pen, and came in a hard plastic binder type thing.
I used everthing. Really enjoyed the course, especially the pool time.
I did not get the chance to review or look at the Padi or SSI courses, so I cant really compare.. just give you my observations of my course.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Nomaster]

Read 'em all, time to weigh in.
It's the instructor...
I read the OW texts for both PADI and NAUI, and as a recovering high school teacher, I liked the PADI text better.
The argument about advertizing, I felt it in both, but the PADI marketing/pandering was much more.. well, flagrant.
I notice that a definition I heard for PADI has not appeared in any of the messages I've read on the discussions here or elsewhere, but it seemed appropriate, so I'll share it, I'm a new guy, so this may already be a universal, an axiom; PADI is an acronym for Put Another Dollar In.
I haven't enough experience with the various agencies yet, it may be true for all of them; for right now I glad for the chance to learn all of the new and interesting stuff that's happened since I last began a long sleep.
The beginning texts are all elementary, I bought the "PADI Encyclopedia for Recreational Diving" and read the dive physics and physiology sections, I think you'll have to go there for a good introduction or review, depending what you've studied before. But be warned, that (The PADI Encyclopedia) too is made to be readable by all of us.
In the beginning there is introduction, then there is experience... I'm working on some experience for now, and will jump back and forth looking for good instructors as I go, and hope that more advanced texts really are.
That's the plan for now.

Tom

 

[RonFrank]

One thing I found annoying with the PADI text book was that every couple of pages there was an advertisement for something that would part you from your money---directly into PADI's bank account.

More like a huge exageration.

I just finished the classroom part of the PADI OW program. As I've read this complaint a number of times, I was initially worried that the PADI program would be one big advertisement. Silly me for believing people on the net in this case.

He are the facts:

The OW manual contains 260 pages of course material. At the end of each section, there is ONE (2 sided) page (unnumbered). The contents of those pages are as follows:

PADI Dive'O'Rama
PADI Project Aware - Environmental
PADI Travel Network
PADI Dive binder
PADI Dive Insurance
PADI Wreck diving course
PADI Instructor Classes
PADI Project Aware
PADI Bubble Blower
DAN Insurance.

I found the course work well layed out, easy to follow, and very well explained dispite the lack of references to the various physic laws that Scuba is based on.

As for the *advertisement* I expected based on Scubaboard? TWO blatent Adds (for the Dive Binder, and Travel agency). The rest either provided info on continuing education/classes, insurance (IMO VERY IMPORTANT) and environment programs.

IMO nothing wrong with any of this, and I really don't mind if a 260 page text has what amounted to 2 pages of adds discribing two products that both relate to diving.

Ron

 

[texdiveguy]

It looks like the real answer is in the POLL.

 

[Walter]

It looks like the real answer is in the POLL.

No, the real answer is in careful examination of facts.

 

[tedwhiteva]

It looks like the real answer is in the POLL.

The real answer is in the instructor, as has been said many times in many places.

 

[BuoyantC]

I also agree with others that it is the instructor (and the dive shop) that makes the difference. As to the comment that PADI is too simplistic, I would answer that if you are only going to remember a percentage of what you were taught, keep it simple enough to remember the important stuff. For example, only a Dr. need be concerned about the difference between pneumothorax vs. mediastinal emphysema. It might be facinating reading to the truly interested, but necessary to be a good diver? Naw.

Dennis

 

[Walter]

While I much prefer a comprehensive approach to classroom topics, I'm much more concerned with PADI's lack of what I consider essential skills.