I have some differing information on PADI. Most of it says that you have to do AOW before you do deep but a qualifications flowchart suggests you can do PADI deep straight after OW. Anyone know which is right?
The dive center email says I can do SSI deep without an in between qualification from PADI OW in 4 dives. There may be reasons outside SSI guidelines for the center offering it as a 4 dive package.
Per the PADI standards book I just got - Deep diver pre req is adventure diver, so you have to do adventure diver first - you can't just do deep
SSI Deep diver pre req is just open water and here's some high points as I can't screen shot every page from my online training thing:
1) Talks about different depths of diving and why they suggest limits
2) SAC rates, how depth effects air consumption, dive planning
3) A touch on altitude diving
4) Dive planning / buddy check
5) Descent procedures, touch navigation lost buddy etc
6) Ascent procedures
7) Potential hazards, reg freezing, hypothermia, narcosis, hypercapnia
8) DCS signs symptoms
9) Accident management
10) Repetitive dives
My main cert is thru SSI and I've done 6-8 specialties. It seems that every time I finish one, I think that was a lot of BS just to learn a few tid bits BUT, while they don't go into super depth, they do go deeper about certain things. Remember, a guy with 5 dives could be taking this class. The introduce new stuff, more detail on other stuff and reinforce the basics - they virtually do this in all the specialty training.
SSI Deep definetly teaches you stuff you should learn, maybe you know it already but if you only have 24 dives or less, odds are there is some good info in there for you.
Here's something to think about though - where are you headed? Do you want an AOW certification? Honestly, in my experience, they have asked what my level is, when the last time I dove but most importantly - they make a judgement of you underwater or until they know you. It seems that judgement far outweighs any card you carry period. If you want to dive tomorrow, don't dive over your head today.
If PADI AOW is your future for more training - stick with PADI as I don't believe SSI Deep will count for you
If SSI AOW is your future - by all means take the class, you'll learn something and it'll count
If just good old fun diving with your OW card is your future (i think there are a large percent of divers that fall in this category) - take the SSI class
Have fun, dive safe!