SSI or PADI certification?

[theplaceofh]

Is there a difference? Is one better than the other? There are two dive shops in my area...one of each. So, which do I choose?

[xSandman3`]

No real difference. PADI owns about 85% market share, but both are equally recognized. I suggest talking to the different instructors, they are the ones you will be building a relationship with.

 

Dale

PADI OWSI

[satxdiver]

Both certifications will work all over the world in going scuba diving. Pick a dive shop that you are comfortable with for the training and go with it. There are differences in dive shops due to personalities involved. Get certified and go have a great time.

 

BTW Padi stands for "put another dollar in" :D

 

SSI Dive Control Specialist

[bruce-r]

Is there a difference? Is one better than the other? There are two dive shops in my area...one of each. So, which do I choose?

 

There isn't enough difference to matter. What you really need to do is talk to the instructors at each shop and decide which instructor you have a better feel for. Choosing an individual instructor is much more important than picking a certifying agency.

[theplaceofh]

Thanks for the info. I really liked the SSI instructor better when I talked to him on the phone, but I'm visiting both shops this week to sort of get a feel for the place, see if they're well-kept, friendly, will answer all questions, etc. I just wanted to make sure before I got my heart set on a certain class that both certifications were equal.

[rsldonk]

Check out the shops too, and the staff at each shop. I'm having to look for a new shop because my LDS has recently undergone a change of ownership and it has been for the worst. Not a huge issue, there are others in the area.

[BuzzF117]

To me it comes down to instructor. The guy I got my cert through seemed like a pain in the rear until I went on my first ocean dive after only diving in murky lakes and everything came very naturally from predive to postdive because he was a stickler for the little things like dangling gear, proper weighting, and bouancy control. He is presently certifying my wife and he made her come back to the pool one extra timeto work on her bouancy skills and she is now really STOOKED about doing her OW dives because the extra pool session also helped her with her confidence. Kids are next summer and were a diving family. He turns out great divers and I have seen what happens when people are just rushed through by an instructor then some poor DM has to babysit them when they dive on vacation.

[cmdchiefthom]

BTW Padi stands for "put another dollar in"

 

I remember when all I needed for an SSI ticket was the money to pay for the card! To me, it wasn't worth it.:eek:

 

Anyway, I do agree with a majority of the posts here, that it really depends on the rapport a student has with their instructor, and the instructor's credentials. Ask to speak with students who had a particular instructor and get their take. No reputable dive shop operator would object to providing references for prospective students.;)

[scubaran]

Is there a difference? Is one better than the other? There are two dive shops in my area...one of each. So, which do I choose?

 

I might add you can request to sit in on a pool lesson to see how the instructors work, look to see if they have any free discover scuba tryouts in the near future, also look at the instructor to student ratio, 1 instructor to 3-4 students is much more personalized than 1 instructor ro 8-9 students, and don't forget to ask about costs, equipment required and where they do their open water checkouts. All important questions.

 

Randall