Which PADI specialty courses are most popular?

[americanoregon]

Those of you who teach or work in shops, which specialties are in greatest demand? Another question, which ones are clients most satisfied with, and which ones are more often a disappointment?

 

[almitywife]

personally i think the golf ball retrieval speciality is pretty cool but instructor hubby tells me Nitrox is his highest speciality signoff

 

[alcina]

It will depend a great deal on where you are. Not a lot of call for Ice Diver here, but I'm sure in some areas this is hugely popular

Photography is always a favourite with our clients as are Naturalist, Fish ID and Video. Nitrox is good to have, though the course definitely requires a good instructor if you are to get the most out of it.

As I'm sure you will hear over and over, it isn't the course itself - it's the instructor who teaches it. The very best course can be ruined by an instructor who is clueless or careless or blase...the very worst course can be fabulous if taught by an instructor who cares and tailors the course to meet the needs and desires of the students. Almost all of the specialties I teach have ample room to be tailored individually and that is important.

 

[americanoregon]

Okay, lets add to that, "Which are LEAST popular?"

 

[Cacia]

boat diving?

 

[Walter]

Unless you're an instructor looking to market classes why would it matter which are popular? Shouldn't most folks be looking for classes on topics which interest them or will be useful to them and in which they'll learn the most?

 

[drglnc]

@ my shop, nitrox and deep (130ft) are the most popular.

 

[Bubble Junky]

Nitrox , deep, wreck. Nitrox is way ahead.

 

[ppo2_diver]

PADI issued a report last year with the highest number of certifications issued. The first three were:

1) Deep Diver
2) Boat Diver
3) Enriched Air Nitrox

I only remembered the top three as it surprised me that boat and deep were at the top.

 

[artek]

“P-valve repair technician”