Which certification entity...

[Txfirefighter4305]

Ok, I searched for a topic like this but I could not find it.

I would like opinions of and the differences in different certification entities. i.e. PADI vs NAUI, etc.

Also, I am interested in the AOW and specialty classes with SDI/TDI since my ERD class will probably be thru them this next year.

Also, who do you feel is the best? Most diver friendly? and such. What about Hogarthian and DIR diving?

 

[almitywife]

i have seen both excellent and shockers with all certifying agencies....... depends on the attitudes of the divers


cheers

 

[Hemlon]

 

[Don Wray]

YeeHaaaaa

 

[boulderjohn]

I know you want a real reply here, but the reason for all the popcorn is the expectation that there will follow a flurry of people repeating the same tired attacks on different agencies.

Ask around your area and find a shop that has a good reputation. Find an instructor or group of instructors who have a reputation for giving a good, thorough class.

Whichever agency you finally choose, study hard, take everything seriously, and you will come out fine.

 

[wardric]

I'd say it all depends on the instructor. If you have a good instructor, you will get good instruction no matter what the certification agency. If you have a crappy instructor, you will get crappy instruction no matter what the certification agency.

There are good and bad instructors with every agency.

Now that I made my neutral point, I'll sit back, relax, grab a beer and prepare a lot of

 

[lostinlobsterville]

I would suggest padi four days and your done with the open water cert., naui is about four weeks of class time and such then you are certified.

 

[robint]

I have to agree with everyone else here --- the most important thing is to find an LDS and instructor you like. There are good and bad instructors with each certifying agency.

Go to every dive shop in your area and talk to people, don't get bullied into signing up for the class. Ask lots of questions. Ask the store clerks who their favorite instructor is and why. If they have a pool on site, go during one of the classes and watch! That is what we did and were sold on the friendliness and style of teaching at one dive shop. It was all about fun and learning. My husband is now an instructor mainly because of the joy of diving he learned from our instructor.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

I think you might want to check your facts/explain course structure. How about hours of classroom time. I don't beleive NAUI requires 4 times the classroom time as you infer in your post.

I would suggest padi four days and your done with the open water cert., naui is about four weeks of class time and such then you are certified.

My suggestion is going to be much like others go with the instructor/shop you are the most comfortable with. They will teach basically the same thing.

 

[Walter]

Ok, I searched for a topic like this but I could not find it.

I would like opinions of and the differences in different certification entities. i.e. PADI vs NAUI, etc.

Also, I am interested in the AOW and specialty classes with SDI/TDI since my ERD class will probably be thru them this next year.

Also, who do you feel is the best? Most diver friendly? and such. What about Hogarthian and DIR diving?

You are really not very clear. What exactly are you asking? There are lots of differences between the various agencies. Way too many to describe here. First you ask about PADI vs NAUI, then you say you are interested in AOW with SDI. It sounds to me like you've already decided to go with SDI. Why are you asking?