PADI Vs. NAUI Vs. SSI Vs. nothing at all!
Mar 17 '00
Due to a paperwork SNAFU by my dive instructor I had to do the courses and exams and was certified in both NAUI and SSI at the same time...its a long story :-). Anyway, my regular dive partner is PADI certified and another regular dive buddy is from the UK and was trained under BSAC regulations (British Sub Aqua Club).
I found very little difference between NAUI and SSI in what was actually taught; the dive tables differ slightly but nothing radical. It is the instructor who makes all the difference and who instills a respect for the water and what it can do to your body, and not figures on a chart.
My PADI trained buddy and I have never encountered any difficulties on a dive as a result of our different training...we both realize we need to look out for eachother and be careful; the results of good training from our respective instructors.
My Scottish buddy trained in a completely different way; BSAC has no system of examination or certification...you earn your certificate to dive through your local dive or sub-aqua club...when they say you are ready to get in the water, you are ready to get in the water and you get your card.
The one thing we all have in common is that we were trained by professionals and no matter how many headaches we have doing our dive tables in meters when Tom comes to dive with us, we are confident in eachother's abilities because we know we were all well trained.
So, when you are faced with the decision of which certifying body to train under, don't waste too much time comparison shopping...look for a good instructor rather than a particular card issuer. This almost always means learning here in the U.S. rather than at a resort in Mexico. I am always nervous on a dive boat when I find out that my buddy for the dive was certified in the hotel pool in Cabo San Lucas.
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Epinions.com ID:
Mattog
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Member: Matt R.
Location: San Francisco, CA
Reviews written: 72
Trusted by: 37 members
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