PADI vs SDI

[SCwes]

I'm a padi rescue diver and planning on starting to work towards instructor. there is a SDI shop close by and the padi shop around 40 miles away . How much different are the two agencies and which would be the best? thanks

[diverjay]

your preferance really.

Is that PADI dive shop the one where you did you Rescue? and if so were they good guys, nice to talk with, dive with etc etc... if they were should go with them. If not check out both stores and see what they can offer you.

I hoesntly couldnt tell you much about either as i am SSI, but check em out, see how they operate, and if its right for you.

[Flatliner]

SSI and SDI require you to work for an LDS in order to be able to teach. If you want to be an independent instructor the those two options are out. Otherwise, I don't think it matters.

[Tassie Diver]

What do you want to do with the cert? If you want to travel the world, be underpaid and exploited, but have a great time teaching backpackers the joys of diving, PADI. If you might want to branch into serious tech instructing, look at SDI with a view to TDI in the future. Of course, PADI has DSAT, which is very good, but TDI is more 'established'.

Also, PADI has more shops worldwide, so more job opportunities(?)

At the end of the day, as with all courses, it mostly comes down to the instructor.

Cheers

TD.

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by Tassie Diver

What do you want to do with the cert? If you want to travel the world, be underpaid and exploited, but have a great time teaching backpackers the joys of diving, PADI. If you might want to branch into serious tech instructing, look at SDI with a view to TDI in the future. Of course, PADI has DSAT, which is very good, but TDI is more 'established'.

Also, PADI has more shops worldwide, so more job opportunities(?)

At the end of the day, as with all courses, it mostly comes down to the instructor.

Cheers

TD.

<<<PADI Instructor, and chose to stick with PADI for the exact reasons mentioned above... PADI is HUGE worldwide and seems like 90% of the Caribbean... So, if you want to travel and teach, PADI... If you want to teach independently, PADI... If you want to work for that shop specifically, or search for the lesser available SDI shops, then SDI...

[Flatliner]

Or do which ever is most convienient for you and then do a cross over.

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by Flatliner

Or do which ever is most convienient for you and then do a cross over.

But its like $500 plus to cross over...

[SCwes]

Thanks guys for the replies.