NAUI vs. PADI Advanced

[JMAY]

FYI...PADI AOW course standards require 5 dives from any specialty (age limits required on some) except on "Deep" and "Navigation" dives. The "Deep" and "Navigation" dives are the only required dives. Usually, (logistics permitting) we ask the AOW class which dives they want to do. Remember the dives chosen are also dependent on the location and dive environment. For example, a dive out in the Gulf would require training in "boat" diving, where a dive in January might require training for a "dry suit" dive. It really is a point of customer service as to which dives (besides the Deep and Nav dives) you do in the PADI program.

[JMAY]

You are very correct to say it is the Instructors that reflect on the program and the organization. As a business owner/ manager, my employees are sometimes a reflection of me in the eyes of my customers. If a student/ customer has a bad experience because an Instructor (PADI, NAUI, TDI, SSI, NASE, LGS, etc...) has made them unhappy or did not fulfill their expectations, then it will ultimately reflect on the organization. I think as Instructors we need to focus on "OUR" quality of instruction and "OUR" customer service skills. In the end, that student is going to come back to take classes with "ME", not PADI or whoever. The same thing applies in my business, they do business with me because they like me and what "I" offer. As Instructors we are salesman... Our sponsoring organizations provide us with support, but it is the job of the Instructor to sell and promote His/Her products and abilities.

[pnevai]

Originally Posted by texdiveguy

pneva... I still don't get the fact of a Mission Statement/Credo making NAUI any better than other agencies for scuba training....for profit or not. I read your frustration that everyone does not see NAUI as the 'best' training agency.....I persl. think they offer some 'fine classes'....just as PADI or a number of other training agencies do. Heck I went from PADI's O/W Diver program through PADI's DM course,,,it was not always a pie of cake,,,nor was it a boot-camp. The OP asked about PADI vs NAUI AOW....you can do a search and dig up thousands of them on SB or now even a few probably on this site. IMO I thought PADI had a good over all program, none are perfect. NAUI is no better than other training agencies.

The credo and the code of ethics in and of it'self really does not make one program beter than another. But it is out there for prospective divers to see. And it is a standard that they can refer to when they purchase their training. As people who are enrolling into a training program with no or little prior experience with scuba, what to expect, and what constitutes a quality program or instructor.

The published ethics and credo is there for a student to use as a benchmark to compare his training and instructor against. So if the instructor or the training material or presentation should be sub standard the student will know. They can confront the instructor with it, and if necessary report the instructor or facility with the exact ethics or credo points that they felt were violated.

Now I know it is only a bunch of words, the difference being that NAUI as an organization put them right out there up front. Telling the consumer that This is what you should expect and demand from NAUI and it's members. There are some pretty specific promises in there to a student diver. Like the instructor is obligated to work with a student that is physically and mentally capable of diveing as long as it takes to complete the certification course. If the instructor cops out, because at some point they felt it was a inconvenience to them, well the student knows that is is a violation of NAUI policy, and can call them on it.

In the end I feel it demonstrates more integrity, than other certification agancies that hide all of thier inner workings from the customer. Every NAUI professional I've met so far have stuck and believe the philosophy containd in those documents. This is not to demean or besmirch PADI instructirs, a vast majority are excellent teachers and people of the highest integrity. PADI should focus on marketing them and thier program highlighting thie same commitment to quality as NAUI does.

Not doing so does a diservice to any dedicated and competent PADI professional.

[BouzoukiJoe A.K.A. wrecker130 AKA Chuck Norris AKA joeforbroke (banned)]

Around here, all the PADI shops do Deep, Nav, and Night. My shop adds PPB and Wreck with the option of completing an additional PPB dive to complete that specialty. I think it really depends on the diving environs available to the shop.

It was done at a quarry with 2 feet viz (you could see your own fins if you squinted hard enough LOL). Swimming the obstacle course for the PPB was extremely challenging since you couldn't see the next hoop until you had pretty much bumped into it. For the deep dive, the water was clear and every bit as dark as the night dive below the thermocline. And I guarantee anyone who completed the Nav requirements was able to follow a compass.

A lot of low viz work that weekend and I'm glad for it. Of course I prefer to be able see, but because of this training I won't freak out when viz goes to zero.

[Puffer Fish]

Originally Posted by pnevai

The credo and the code of ethics in and of it'self really does not make one program beter than another. But it is out there for prospective divers to see. And it is a standard that they can refer to when they purchase their training. As people who are enrolling into a training program with no or little prior experience with scuba, what to expect, and what constitutes a quality program or instructor.

The published ethics and credo is there for a student to use as a benchmark to compare his training and instructor against. So if the instructor or the training material or presentation should be sub standard the student will know. They can confront the instructor with it, and if necessary report the instructor or facility with the exact ethics or credo points that they felt were violated.

Now I know it is only a bunch of words, the difference being that NAUI as an organization put them right out there up front. Telling the consumer that This is what you should expect and demand from NAUI and it's members. There are some pretty specific promises in there to a student diver. Like the instructor is obligated to work with a student that is physically and mentally capable of diveing as long as it takes to complete the certification course. If the instructor cops out, because at some point they felt it was a inconvenience to them, well the student knows that is is a violation of NAUI policy, and can call them on it.

In the end I feel it demonstrates more integrity, than other certification agancies that hide all of thier inner workings from the customer. Every NAUI professional I've met so far have stuck and believe the philosophy containd in those documents. This is not to demean or besmirch PADI instructirs, a vast majority are excellent teachers and people of the highest integrity. PADI should focus on marketing them and thier program highlighting thie same commitment to quality as NAUI does.

Not doing so does a diservice to any dedicated and competent PADI professional.

Hummm, let me think who's side of this one I will be on...

Actually, from what I know, I would pick the LA program first, as they are not and were not driven by any concern for money. After that.... I know good instructors for every agency. I would like to think that NAUI is better...but then I realize the Larry is with us.. and golly gee wiz....but I guess every organization will have a few.

I still believe that the quality of the instructor comes from the heart and soul of the individual instructor, not because of the organization they joined..

Note: Just kidding Larry... really... just kidding.

[dutchman]

I believe there is another distinct difference between the two agencies. That being the dive tables !!!

[Firefyter]

Originally Posted by dutchman

I believe there is another distinct difference between the two agencies. That being the dive tables !!!

There's another very distinct difference. Take a look at the Master Diver programs.......