I am making the leap from divemaster to instructor and am taking the time to consider either PADI or NAUI.
I have currently been taking PADI courses up to this point and live in Southern California where PADI is dominant. I feel NAUI may be the better choice for me, here's why:
NAUI IDC/IE is almost $1000 cheaper (total cost).
NAUI will certify me to teach from basic to DM and numerous specialties including Nitrox; PADI requires additional certifcation and cost for each specialty.
I can do NAUI without travelling far for an IE.
NAUI's tech program seems more comprehensive and developed over PADI's. (Which is a long term objective.)
There may be more flexibility for an instructor in the NAUI program (I have no specifics on this, just what I have been advsied.)
The downsides that I have considered is possibly having to take a NAUI DM exam and buying NAUI materials as my dive library has mostly PADI manuals.
I know that the quality of my instructor is most important, so assume it is the same for both organizations.
What additional insight would you have to guide my decision?
I have currently been taking PADI courses up to this point and live in Southern California where PADI is dominant. I feel NAUI may be the better choice for me, here's why:
NAUI IDC/IE is almost $1000 cheaper (total cost).
NAUI will certify me to teach from basic to DM and numerous specialties including Nitrox; PADI requires additional certifcation and cost for each specialty.
I can do NAUI without travelling far for an IE.
NAUI's tech program seems more comprehensive and developed over PADI's. (Which is a long term objective.)
There may be more flexibility for an instructor in the NAUI program (I have no specifics on this, just what I have been advsied.)
The downsides that I have considered is possibly having to take a NAUI DM exam and buying NAUI materials as my dive library has mostly PADI manuals.
I know that the quality of my instructor is most important, so assume it is the same for both organizations.
What additional insight would you have to guide my decision?