Which certification should I go with?

[chewitt92]

I've heard that PADI is pretty good but I've seen some talk of I think it's NAUI. I was wondering if you guys could help out on which one I should go with. And is it possible to have both? But recomendations would be nice. Thanks!

 

[TSandM]

You can definitely take classes through more than one agency -- I have cards from, let's see, four different agencies, and am about to take a class through a fifth.

If you are looking at an open water class, agency is not the most important thing. The most important thing is that you get a class which is patient and thorough. Don't sacrifice quality to get a lower price. You might consider posting on your regional subforum to ask if anyone has a recommendation for a very good local instructor. The accumulated knowledge that is represented on SB is very useful!

 

[rstofer]

This is debated endlessly and with great passion. You can use the search feature to see the many previous threads.

I pick NAUI :storm:

Richard

 

[Cathy Church]

It doesn't matter--learn where and when you can and just enjoy the diving. The instructor matters more than the agency. PADI is more widely available, so referrals and add-on certs are more common with PADI. For example, PADI offers lots of specialty certs such as underwater photography. I am certified to offer the PADI (and soon the SSI) photo card, but fewer instructors offer the NAUI. But if you take my class, whether you get a PADI cert from it, or just enjoy learning about UW photography, does it really matter that you get the merit badge? If collecting all of the specialties matters to you, you may find it easier to go with PADI. This is just an opinion--nothing more. Have fun and enjoy the journey.

 

[don Francisco]

The various agencies establish minimum standards for their courses. There's lively and legitimate debate as to whether these are adequate, and which are better, but in my opinion it's a mute point.

You need to find an instructor who goes beyond the mimimum, who provides adequate class and pool time before the OW dives, one who embraces the ideal that he hasn't taught unless and until you've learned, and leaves his students not only with more than rudimentary knowledge of diving but inspires them with a philosophy of diving.

Usually for about the same cost cost you can get a decent course, a good course or a great course. Ask around locally and take the great course, even if it costs a bit more or (especially) if it takes extra time.

 

[Walter]

While there is a great deal of difference in standards from one agency to another, none of them are perfect and have to have things added to what their standards require to produce what is, in my opinion a good class. Both of them (and many others) are recognized world wide, that's a non-issue. Neither of the two you mentioned would be my first choice, although NAUI is more supportive of instructors adding to their classes.

Take your time to research and find the best instructor in your area. Next, take time to complete the course. A good course will last several weeks. Don't rush this, it's something you can spend the rest of your life enjoying. Keep in mind there are excellent instructors in all agencies. An excellent instructor in an agency with low standards can teach a class that is better than one you would receive from a poor instructor in an agency with higher standards. It will be rare, but it happens. I would suggest asking a few questions of the instructors you might consider hiring.

How do I find an above average course and how will I know I've found it?

Interview potential instructors. Most people never ask any questions beyond price. As the old saying goes, "You get what you pay for." Excellent instructors will usually have a higher priced class for a number of reasons. The instructor is dedicated toward providing you all the time you need to master necessary knowledge and skills. Extra pool time can be expensive. Keep in mind; the instructor is trying to make a living. His time is valuable.

Consider alternatives. While many instructors teach through dive shops, some of the best are independent instructors or affiliated with colleges, universities or YMCA's.

Questions to ask the instructors:

How long have you been teaching? Most instructors improve over time. They learn new techniques and get ideas from other instructors and through experience to improve their classes.

Do you certify all your students? Only instructors who are in a hurry and care nothing about your safety will answer yes. You want an instructor who will require you to be safe and knowledgeable before issuing a c-card. An excellent instructor might tell you that he is willing to keep working with a student until the student either qualifies or gives up.

What skin diving skills will I learn? While there is some disagreement on this point, many professionals believe a solid foundation in skin diving will not only make you a better SCUBA diver, it will make learning SCUBA easier.

Will I learn confidence-building skills? There are some skills which have no direct application to a typical dive, but which do build your confidence as well as your abilities. This, combined with an understanding of the panic cycle, will make you much less likely to panic.

Do you teach the panic cycle? Panic is the most dangerous aspect of diving. Many instructors do not understand panic and believe there is no way to combat it. In actuality, panic is understood. It is though learning the panic cycle and by increasing skill levels that panic is avoided.

Do your students swim with their hands? This will let you know if the instructor pays attention to details. Good divers do not use their hands for swimming.

Do you work on trim? Divers should usually be horizontal in the water. Good instructors will see that students are striving towards good trim. Poor instructors often neglect it.

Do you overweight your students? Many instructors overweight students. It is not a good practice.

What method do you use to correctly weight your students? Any answer that does not involve actually getting in the water means you want to avoid that instructor.

How many people will be in my class? Small classes are better. You'll have more individual attention. Unless the instructor is using certified assistants, more than four students are difficult to watch.

How many certified assistants will you be using? Unless the class is relatively large (more than 4 students) this should not be an issue. An instructor should have a certified Divemaster or Assistant Instructor for every two students over four. There are times when divers working on their Divemaster or Assistant Instructor certifications assist with a class. This is normal and not an issue, but they do not count toward the assistants an instructor should have when working with larger classes.

Will I be learning skills kneeling on the pool bottom or mid-water? This question is not critical, but will let you know if you've found an instructor who has a great deal on the ball. The over whelming majority of instructors (even good instructors) teach skills kneeling on the bottom. Don't eliminate instructors who do. Some instructors have realized your mask will flood while you are swimming, not when you are sitting on the bottom. You need to learn skills in the manner in which you'll be using them.

Do you dive for fun or just when you are teaching? Instructors who've stopped diving for fun are burned out.

Questions to ask yourself:

Is the instructor patient? While talking with your potential instructor, you should be getting a feel for his personality. Patience is an important quality for an instructor. You want to avoid instructors with a drill sergeant demeanor.

Would I be happier learning from a man or a woman? Only you can answer that question, but in general it is not usually a serious consideration. There are excellent instructors and there are poor instructors. Men and women fall into both groups.

 

[D_B]

I still think that Walter's above post should be a sticky in this forum :medal:
... and TSandM's post is on the ball too

 

[RJP]

I've heard that PADI is pretty good but I've seen some talk of I think it's NAUI. I was wondering if you guys could help out on which one I should go with. And is it possible to have both? But recomendations would be nice. Thanks!

Call or visit John over at Northeast Scuba Supply in Norristown...

Northeast Scuba Supply - Classes

 

[VooDooGasMan]

chewitt, If your wanting to dive lake erie, or wrecks on the eastcoast, find a Iantd or tdi shop or school so you can start towards the diving in your area.
Contact the local diveclub to find a dive partner close to you unless you have one, as the local diver will teach you to dive the conditions that you dive in.


Walters essay above is the reality of the things to be aware of.

If your warm water just go to destination, get certified and dive dive dive, like cathy church says, do you have to collect a merit badge, or do you want learn different things of diving on your own.

You can learn everything on this board about diving, yet scubaboard can't certify ya.



Words of caution, BIGFAMEONE, hit this board, with the same questions, A local board member told him to come over and join there board,
He had told his story, asked questions, with all kinds of problems trying to get certified, it took him several months to get certified.

His last post was what a bad experience he had with adding a third new diver for a dive.

BIGFAMEONE died the next day, dive 9 was it for him, the funny thing is an instructor (a medic) went over a dive plan with him and his dive buddy(a fireman), an ER doctor was there also, A problem occured Bigfameone made to the surface and died.


Dive into this underwaterworld slowly on every dive, and go little deeper and longer until you are comfortable, only you can learn to dive, the cert and instructor are there to give a card so you can get air, go on dive charters etc.




Happy Diving

 

[Jim Lapenta]

It also depends on what type of training are you looking for. Do you want a quick certification or one that will give you all the tools you need to begin diving without relying on a DM or Guide in conditions similar or better than what you will train in. There is an instructor in your town who teaches a course based on skills and education. If you'd like more info PM me for contact info. Or if you want to come over to my part of PA I'd be glad to take you on as a student.