SDI is an excellent training agency. From what I understand, there are more SDI conversions amongst instructors than to any other agency, meaning I'm not the only instructor whom believes that. As has been said many times before though, it's really not the agency you should be concerned with, it's the quality of the instructor that's more important. The standards are very close to that of PADI's except for a few bold changes. As you and everyone else here has been taught before, there's more than one right way to get the job done. SDI definitely takes the road less traveled.
SDI courses makes it mandatory for the student to use a computer during open water training. They do teach tables, but not as in depth as PADI (though the instructor most likely will since he/she has the flexibility to do so)
The other big change is that if the instructor is happy and confident with the students performance and mastery of skills in the confined water environment, he/she is not required to redo them in the open water environment. Again plenty of flexibility for the instructor.
Though there are other differences too, those are the major ones. Speaking of major, with the growth rate SDI/TDI has, we will be seeing more and more students being trained this way.
Instructors: SDI/TDI has a comprehensive insurance plan that is cheaper than everyone elses, covers all other agencies, and is also recognised by the other agencies as well.
Mario S Caner
PADI/TDI/SDI Inst.
