Differences between training companies

[Blowin Bubbles]

Originally Posted by mitsuguy

That is such CRAP... PADI says the same thing, PADI or recognized agency...

The fact that he is wanting more money to convert you is just utter BS... In fact, you should probably write to NAUI and let them know he is doing that and it is pushing you away from their organization... Obviously, I'm a PADI instructor, and I like the way PADI does things for the most part, but to say that any one organization is that much better than another is just utter crap....

Just browsing through a couple sites leads me to believe that all three major organizations, PADI, SSI and NAUI all have roughly equivalent Open Water Diver certifications... PADI and SSI both require 4 open water dives and NAUI requires 5, but one of them can be a skin dive... I know for sure the skin dive is an optional PADI dive, so, it's really beyond me what more someone learns in a NAUI class versus a PADI class...

For our entertainment, perhaps you should ask him what more NAUI teaches over what PADI does...

This question raised some curiosity of my own, is there much a difference between NAUI and PADI, and other lesser known training agencies? Or is it like the battle of the soft drinks; nothing more than personal taste interfeering with a logical standpoint?

If anyone knows any difference in the curriculum feel free to share.

Thanks

- Derek

[navyhmc]

In all honesty there is minimal difference. With regards to OW and AOW the major agencies follow essentially the same curriculum. There are a few differences in specialties, but not that much The big difference is the individual instructor. From what I have been able to find, the agencies will honor the certifications of other agencies up to the professional levels.

[comet24]

It really comes down the the instructor. PADI is the larges and many people like to bash them. Some instructors will teach the very minimum and just meet the standards to their agency. Others will that the time to make sure every student fully understand everything and spend more time going over things.

You can teach the class and pool part of the class in just a weekend with PADI(don't know about other agencies but I sure it's not much different.) You can also teach the same class over several weeks doing it a few hours two nights a week. Some see the quick class as producing bad divers. Really there are many options out there and each diver has to find a class and instructor that fits there lifestyle and experience. I took OW in college and the class lasted a good part of the semester. That class was much more in-depth then most of today's classes but I also thought at the time they let some people pass that shouldn't have. Now I look back at my background at the time(competitive swimmer and worked summers as a lifeguard) and see it a little different.

Find a good instructor and don't worry about the agencies name on the card.

[Blowin Bubbles]

I have my OW from PADI, great instructors who went over everything and were not satisfied until you could do the drill in the ocean calmly and without a problem.

Was more curious about the variances between the two.

[chicken]

+100 for the instructor. My worst instructor was NAUI certified and my best instructor was also NAUI certified. I don't care if it is SSI, SDI, NAUI, or PADI on the "C" card, I just want a good instructor.

BTW, my divemaster cert will be PADI because I found a great program through a PADI shop with great instructors. They didn't even blink when I walked in the first night carrying a NAUI bag with my PADI materials in it!

[navyhmc]

Originally Posted by chicken

They didn't even blink when I walked in the first night carrying a NAUI bag with my PADI materials in it!

And that in itself is a good sign!

[LovinPowell]

I have had only one instructor so I don't know if she was good or bad. What distinguishes a good instructor from a not so good (bad) one?

[chicken]

I'll give you an example or two...

My AOW instructor took us out with five OW students and three AOW students. No divemaster or any other shop personnel along because it cost too much. Good instructor or bad?

The same instructor took the AOW students into a cave because it was the only place deep enough for the required dives. The OW students were left unattended on the 20 foot platform to practice skills. Good instructor or bad?

The same instructor would not give a OW student more weights because she only paid for 10 pounds. So she struggled all day trying to stay under. Good instructor or bad?

[chicken]

Rescue intructor holds a thorough classroom session. Good intructor or bad?

Instructor conducts a dive brief before the dive. Good instructor or bad?

Instructor welcomes questions and comments? good instructor or bad?

See, it's not too hard to tell the difference.

[cummings66]

If you know for a fact the instructor took AOW students into a cave, you owe the diving community a service. Turn that instructor into their agency. You must put a stop to that before somebody dies.

Padi does take action, I know of one former padi instructor who done similar things and got turned in, he's a former instructor now. They took action.