Which Cert to get?

[jbd]

All things else being equal: PADI, hands down.

Why?? :06:

 

[GrierHPharmD]

Fact is, becoming a skilled diver is an active process on your part. Choose one of the above agencies based on logic, gut instinct, convenience, etc., but then do your best to supplement the info you get in your course by diving with experienced divers as often as possible, by reading everything you can get your hands on, by hanging out here on scubaboard, by taking more advanced courses, and eventually, you'll come to the place where you feel you actually know something about this wonderful sport. There's soooo much to learn. That's one of the most attractive things about diving.

Good luck as you progress. Keep us informed as to how things are working out.

Safe ascents,
Grier

 

[BigboyDan]

Why?? :06:

PADI is more well-known and in more shops (very well networked); a gazzillion courses offered; and offers more to a diver (travel, insurance, etc). And, yes, I know that the best instructer is where you find him/her... but all things being equal...

 

[Kim]

Hi BigboyDan - welcome to ScubaBoard. Your posts so far seem quite authoritative but there doesn't seem to be anything in your profile to tell me who I am listening to. Curious minds want to know!

 

[nitroxphoto]

I think PADI wins since they are more known worldwide, but NAUI is fine. Basically, PADI has done a better job of marketing. More importantly, find a school that you like the people that will be training you, you can always cert orgs. later.

 

[FatCat]

I think PADI wins since they are more known worldwide, but NAUI is fine. Basically, PADI has done a better job of marketing. More importantly, find a school that you like the people that will be training you, you can always cert orgs. later.

It's not just a marketing thing. As an instructor for different agencies, the things that makes me prefer PADI are the following:

- excellent course materials
- multilingual course materials; If I get, say two Korean students tomorrow, I can get their course materials in Korean by the day after tomorrow, along with the exam in their own language. If they speak any of the languages I speak to a degree where they can grasp what I'm explaining to them, we can do the course just fine. No agency does better.
- I'm free to add to the course. PADI isn't breathing down my neck to ensure that I'm teaching "the course and nothing but the course". Of course I need to comply to standards, but I haven't had to go head to head with PADI because I elaborate on things like deep stops.
- support from HQ. Any question I have asked so far has been answered within 24 hours.
- PADI is truly worldwide. If I choose to do a short stint abroad, it can be arranged with a minimum of hassle.

And on a personal note: PADI has never, ever made me feel like I'm just "one of many". Nor have they ever given me the impression that I'm a disposable commodity. They believe in positive reinforcment. That's nice for the students, but even instructors like to get the feeling that they are appreciated. Yes, yes, I know it's all marketing, but it still feels nice.

 

[SteveDiver]

i was discussing this a lot
Padi is the more known and accepted one worldwide.
You'll never have problems with diving and renting stuff at a diveshop with a Padi Certificate and within the US it's the same for NAUI I guess. But in Europe almost nobody knows NAUI. So it can happen to you, that they dont accept your certificate ( if its NAUI)
The lessons you'll learn within your course are allmost the same. None of them is better.
Half of my group was certified NAUI half of it was certified PADI taking the same lessons, just filling out a different exam sheet.
I only know 1 diving school in Germany teaching NAUI.
PADI you'll find here erverywhere.

France is an exception in Europe they almost only accept CMAS.....but after two dives critical watching us, the believed, that we are able to dive, even with a Padi Cert.

Hope its helpful.....

EM13

There are a lot of comments that PADI is better known worldwide over NAUI. So, do what I did I received my PADI Open Water and purposely got my NAUI Advanced Open Water to ensure that I have all bases covered. I would hate to go somewhere to find that they do not recognize my certification. Now I have two c-cards one from PADI and one from NAUI. In the spring I am taking a PADI Rescue Diver Course. It is important that you find a great instructor. Of course you will not know this until you see the instructor perform in water (as some has stated) however, you can ask the instructor questions before starting the class like: How Long have you been a diver, How many dives do you have,Where have you dived etc...You should interview the instructor for the position of teaching you this is a two way street...it is just like a job interview if you feel comfortable with the candidate after the interviewing questions then hire the instructor to teach you...always go with your gut feeling. First impressions are a great indicator of the persons character..

 

[ScubaWalt]

NAUI !

 

[Dive-aholic]

NAUI !

Responses with explanations work better than flat answers. I'm not saying NAUI isn't good, but how about letting us know why you think that should be the choice? :06:

 

[Walter]

PADI is better known by nondivers. If dealing with people in the business, you won't have trouble with any established agency. The "PADI is better known worldwide" argument is ridiculous. I've dived all over the world and have never had any trouble having my YMCA (a much smaller agency than NAUI) card recognized. The fact that PADI is in more shops doesn't matter to me when I'm deciding which course to take. PADI does offer various "services" to people who join their "society," but they don't come with the card. Unless I speak Korean, why would it matter to me if course materials are available in Korean? I can understand why it would matter to you as an instructor who might teach in Korean, but it's not important to most in determining which course to take.