ssi dive control vs padi DM

The difference between the two can boil down to:
SSI Dive con is for SSI dive shops.

PADI DM is for PADI dive centers.

If I was to pick one, knowing that I wasn't going to work in the industry, I'd go for SSI. They are pretty much the same course if you strip away the 'this is the best agency' propaganda.

For the record, I think there is a lot of things for divers to learn in the DM/Dive Con course even if you're not intending to go down the road to instructor. The training is often challenging and you get a lot of confidence from going through the skills, and are opened up to a different kind of diving philosophy and knowledge.

I think SSI will accept you as a PADI Rescue diver to start the course. PADI will not accept an SSI candidate unless you do an expensive crossover course.

 

Not exactly true. PADI Dive Master is Dive Master level. SSI Dive Con is Assistant Instructor Level. Dive Cons can teach parts of the OW course (classroom) & can teach parts of the confined water portion under the supervision of an instructor. Assistant Instructor is its own level in PADI.

Yes, correct, I went that path.

I can't say, I do not know PADI's standards on it.

 

By asking this in the SSI forum, you are probably determining the scope of answers and advice you'll receive. Assuming that's your rationale, I'll just say... do the SSI Dive Con.

 

One of the problems that I think exists within the recreational scuba industry as a whole is that there is often no clear indication of an instructional path other than professional certification once one has reached the Rescue Diver level. One of the reasons for that is that in very many shops, that is pretty much true--that's the only thing they offer, and that is the only thing they will tell you about.

However, if you are just looking at improving diving skills, there are many more options available if you take the time to look around. You can take literally years of classes and amass a pile of certification cards without going near a professional program. Poke around the the Advanced and Tecnical diving forums on ScubaBoard to get a sense of some of the other options available to you.

 

They are not the same course, there are differences but for the OP who said he isn't intending to actually do anything in a professional capacity, they are very similar. They teach leadership and control of a group of divers.

 

I am a Dive Con. I was interested in the differences...

I got my answer(s) - much appreciated - Thanks All!

 

Hi,

I am a PADI Rescue Diver and want to work as a Diveguide. SSI Diveguide seems to be the best option for me. But could I work for PADI Centers as SSI Diveguide?

 

In a nutshell- no.

 

padi will accept ssi divecon as suitable quals to enroll in idc course.

 

I am both a PADI DM and SSI Dive Con. I crossed over to SSI because I liked the SSI diveshop better. Yes, you do get to do a lot more actual teaching as a Dive Con. I plan on going to Instructor, so I really like getting the experience. If you plan on not going onto Instructor I would recommend just going the Dive Guide or Divemaster with SSI. You complete the Science of Diving and get the knowledge, you just don't get the experience of teaching.