Padi v/s Naui

[kwroads]

As I progress I find that the certification is important and not the assoc.

Is that correct??

My open water is Padi, should I stay with Padi or will it hurt to go with Naui through Drivemaster?

[digitalman]

Typically, the certification is all that matters as a rec. diver non-professional. Once you go pro., you might have to do some crossover training, say if you are a PADI OW instructor and want to switch over to NAUI OW instructor. You'll have to take the NAUI instructor test and do some additional skills tests.

[ScubaToys Larry]

No problem swapping around - might give you more insight. You can take a Padi OW, Naui Aow, SSI Rescue, Padi DM and become a Naui Instructor...

Actually, I started as padi and switched to Naui as I progressed as well.

[kwroads]

Good deal. Yeah I've bben told that Naui was more tech and Padi was more water time.

[ScubaToys Larry]

Originally Posted by kwroads

Good deal. Yeah I've bben told that Naui was more tech and Padi was more water time.

Well, actually not really. According to the standards, there is more water work required in a Naui class as far as skills are concerned. And more dives required at the lake. Naui must do 5, with Padi, the 5th is optional... And with Advanced, we have a required night - padi optional, and Naui does more rescue in each level.

But either class will be enjoyable and you'll learn a lot!

[mchain]

Originally Posted by digitalman

Typically, the certification is all that matters as a rec. diver non-professional. Once you go pro., you might have to do some crossover training, say if you are a PADI OW instructor and want to switch over to NAUI OW instructor. You'll have to take the NAUI instructor test and do some additional skills tests.

Agreed, I did open water through SSI and advanced through PADI with no crossover issues. My impression of the professional side is exactly what digitalman suggests from reading online.

[Coaster]

I have rec certs from both NAUI and Padi....some things were presented with a little different emphasis...I preferred the NAUI course (at ST)...benefited from both agency rec courses.

[kwroads]

Thanks,

[cummings66]

I've got materials from Padi and Naui, I think there's a difference at the upper levels and that Naui could be better. However, I think it depends on your instructor too. I did Padi OW and my instructor covered way more then the course was supposed to.

[EuphoriaII]

Ok, I've posted this elsewhere but it seemed like it would fit here.

Three instructors and their students are on board a dive boat
in the middle of the ocean. There is a NAUI instructor, a PADI
instructor, and an SSI instructor. Everything is going fine until
the boat springs a leak and starts to sink. The SSI instructor
says to his students, "Okay, we're in the middle of the ocean,
so we might as well do our deep dive." The NAUI instructor
says to his students, "Okay, we might as well do our
navigation dive, so let's get our compasses out and swim
towards shore." The PADI instructor says to his
students, "Okay, for $25 extra you guys get to do a wreck
dive!"
[Don't hate me, I'm PADI certified but still thought it was funny]