PADI Rescue Diver Course as an SSI Diver

[Russianspi]

Hi all. I live in Bali, and I'm slowly working my way towards becoming an SSI instructor. I have no real hurry or deadline, but it seems like a pretty cool goal. I have only 35ish dives logged, so I've still got a ways to go. I think that the next thing that I'd like to do (course wise) is take a SSI Diver Stress & Rescue course. I just found a deal this month though (with a reputable diving company) for a PADI Rescue Diver Course for $200 (which is about half the cost of anything I've seen for the PADI or SSI course here). So, my question is, can this PADI course work as an equivalent for the SSI course? If I want to continue on towards becoming a divemaster (and later an instructor) in the SSI system, will this course be of use to me?

Thanks in advance for any helpful answers.

 

[Russianspi]

So, just an update for anyone interested: I didn't get any replies here, so I took another look on the SSI website. The documents here and here seem to indicate that my plan will not be a problem, but just to be sure, I've sent off an email to SSI. I'll post an update here when I hear back from them.

 

[RJP]

There's been other similar threads. I think you're asking one question, when you really should be asking two:

1.) Can taking PADI rescue fulfill the prerequisites to become an SSI instructor?
2.) Does it make sense to take the PADI rescue if you intend to become an SSI instructor?

The answer to the first one is YES.
The answer to the second one is PROBABLY NOT.

Consider:

• Do you want the very first SSI rescue class you ever see to be the very first one you are asked to TEACH?
• Do you want to ever have a conversation with a potential student about why you took the PADI rescue course, but they should take the SSI rescue course?
• As an SSI instructor, will you need to own the student materials for the SSI rescue course? (In PADI-land an instructor is required to own the student materials... beyond it just making good sense.) You may end up in a situation where whatever you SAVE taking the cheaper PADI course is paid out later to purchase the SSI student materials. Still without the benefit of ever actually having seen an SSI rescue course along the way.

With most agencies, becoming an instructor is less about "do you know your stuff" and more about "can you teach according to our system." For a prospective SSI instructor, taking the PADI rescue course will ensure you "know your stuff" but it won't do anything to ensure you know "the SSI way" to teach a rescue course.

 

[Steve_C]

If you did take the PADI course you should probably make a point of assisting or following along an SSI version as you work through dive con and up to instructor.

 

[Russianspi]

As promised, the reply to my SSI inquiry:

Thank you for your enquiry and interest in becoming an SSI Dive Professional in the future. To answer your question, yes you can take the PADI Rescue Diver course as it is a direct equivalence to the SSI Stress & Rescue training program. After completing either of these courses and coupled with a recognized First Aid and CPR training you will be able to then enroll in the first professional level training under SSI, the “Dive Guide” program. From there you would continue on to the SSI “Dive Control Specialist” rating and then on to the Instructor Training Course.

Dan we wish you all the best in pursuing your diving career and look forward to having you join the ranks of the SSI Dive professional in the near future.

Kind Regards

John Shepherd

So the official answer is yes. Thanks RJP and Steve for your helpful input as well. Perhaps it might help to clarify. I don't know that I'll ever work as an instructor. I wouldn't rule it out, but a lot of the reason I'd like to become an instructor is for myself. I'd like the skills and knowledge implicit in becoming an instructor. I don't think it likely that I'd teach anything other than open water courses. If I did get to the point where I was considering teaching a stress and rescue course, I'd be sure to assist with one first.

 

[RJP]

As promised, the reply to my SSI inquiry:



So the official answer is yes. Thanks RJP and Steve for your helpful input as well. Perhaps it might help to clarify. I don't know that I'll ever work as an instructor. I wouldn't rule it out, but a lot of the reason I'd like to become an instructor is for myself. I'd like the skills and knowledge implicit in becoming an instructor. I don't think it likely that I'd teach anything other than open water courses. If I did get to the point where I was considering teaching a stress and rescue course, I'd be sure to assist with one first.

Keep in mind that the skills and knowledge you will develop in the process of becoming an instructor are TEACHING skills and knowledge... not DIVING skills and knowledge. If you don't intend to teach, don't become an instructor. Doing so would be an absolutely absurd waste of time and money. If you want to develop diving skills and knowledge take that time and money and invest it in diving and dive training. Maybe tech? Wreck? Something that teaches refined DIVE skills.

 

[Frosty]

something to concider russianspi- Im not going into any discussions re training quality just acceptance. Padi is more widely accepted around the world than SSI. from a professional point of view that offers more employment options.

 

[boulderjohn]

I don't know that I'll ever work as an instructor. I wouldn't rule it out, but a lot of the reason I'd like to become an instructor is for myself. I'd like the skills and knowledge implicit in becoming an instructor. I don't think it likely that I'd teach anything other than open water courses.

If you don't intend to teach, don't become an instructor. Doing so would be an absolutely absurd waste of time and money. If you want to develop diving skills and knowledge take that time and money and invest it in diving and dive training. Maybe tech? Wreck? Something that teaches refined DIVE skills.

I very much agree with Ray. I think both PADI and SSI are guilty of sending the incorrect message that progressing in your diving skill beyond the first couple of certifications means going the professional route only. They do that by promoting continuing education paths that show that route, with other options shoved off to the side. I don't believe this is intentional for either agency. I think that is really how it used to be decades ago, and they have simply gone on using that marketing approach even though things have changed mightily. You can get an outstanding diving education, working with first class instructors, by following different paths of interest, and you can do it within either agency.

 

[AggieDad]

If you are fairly sure you will not work as an instructor in the future, I recommend what others have said....there are many ways to improve skills and learn new ones without going Pro. Not sure of your area but my insurance sets me back several hundred dollars thus insuring that this "Pro" gig is a guaranteed money loser. The vast majority of instructors are part timers and only do it to help others and make a few dollars to pay for some equipment. If you are doing it to "Pay" for trips, etc. then you are in for a surprise.

 

[crosshairs]

I don't think it likely that I'd teach anything other than open water courses. If I did get to the point where I was considering teaching a stress and rescue course, I'd be sure to assist with one first.

I would just like to add, that teaching open water is more difficult than teaching AOW or Rescue...as much as I enjoy teaching new divers, I much prefer to teach the advanced classes...its much less stressful for me...