Who will you select to learn scuba diving?

[randini]

When I did OW (in California), I went with SSI because that's what the shop I did it through was and I had no clue about any cert agency.

When I did AOW & Rescue (still in CA), I sought out a highly recommended instructor who happened to be PADI, so that's what I got. At this time I still had no clue about cert. agencies.

Now, 15 years after I did OW, I'm looking at doing a divemaster here in Chile. Almost all the instructors here are PADI, apart from a handful that are CMAS and one that's NAUI. I've sent emails to as many as I could (about 10 in total - I only excluded three LDS that I've had terrible experiences with in getting gear serviced and the techs are also the instructors) with a load of questions about their programs, to arrange interviews and hopefully go diving together so that I can see if they suit me. Unfortunately only two have answered: One 5* PADI shop and a guy that does PADI and CMAS. Looks like I'll probably end up with PADI as the 5* guy seems to have his act together. We still need to meet so that I can check out his operation and go diving with the guy before I commit.

I guess my answer to the poll is Other: whoever suits me best for what I want to accomplish at that time, but not excluding any of the above

 

[tomfcrist]

I trained originally in the old Y program, and while the PADI course was sure a lot shorter, and more simplified than that Y program, I sat threw every class and witnessed every dive they did with my kids, and can find extremely little to fault them on.

I love this! Parents who actually give a darn in this day and age are few and far between.

As a side note, when parents do insist on being present when I teach thier children(perfectly acceptable and greatly appriciated), I usually pull the parent aside and advise them to observe and not participate. It's challenging enough teaching kids to dive without having mom or dad looking over thier shoulder the whole time.

 

[cwhite6]

I chose SSI as it is the only one with 2 hours from me. A good friend of mine I work with has been diving with the owner for years and highly recommends him. The owner is a SSI Platinum 5000 Dive member and has a list of certs a mile long. I wish a PADI was closer as I did the Discover Scuba Program with them in Cancun and they would give me a credit in price towards the class and also count the dive I did. But, I would still do the four dives anyway. I do not think there is a PADI shop in Louisiana, so SSI it is.

 

[RTee]

I chose TDI...because this is where I am now with regards to scuba diving progression. Started with NAUI for OW in 78, then went PADI for refresher (more practical due to proximity), AOW (training facility + course mate), EAN (instructor), Dry (instructor), Rescue diver (instructor), DM (instructor) and finally TDI for Adv EAN/Deco procs (technical program and ...instructor). By the way...not all courses were conducted with the same instructor...I chose three different instructors in the process, all good but each were picked for their approach with their respective program. I also used one of those instructors for my son OW referral as well as EAN and AOW certification...

 

[ntxdiver]

Have done YMCA, PADI, NAUI, and SDI. If I was starting over right now, it would be NAUI because that is the closest shop.

 

[Brendon]

You included NASE on this poll.... I dont see NAUI anywhere, show some respect. Your poll is point less. The majority of un-certified divers do not visit this site. We see them later when they want to complain about something or ask a question that should have been gone over in their class...

 

[cloudflint]

I went with a ScotSAC club because it was close to me, I find the level of instruction varies from club to club but overall is quite high. The club im in has never had anyone in the chamber or otherwise seriously injured in 50 years.

Im surprised no BSAC or CMAS on the poll