My experience so far is NASDS, SSI and PADI. I took NASDS in the early 80s then quit diving after a few years. About 20 years later I decided to take up diving again and phoned my shop which is now SSI. My original instructor was still there and issued me a SSI card to replace my NASDS card which was long gone. I wanted to take the ow class and he said I did not need to because I was a good diver. I took the course anyway and thought it was very short. I talked to my original instructor about it and he said that they sell a lot of specialty courses to give divers the knowledge that the NASDS ow course used to provide.
I have since taken several SSI and PADI courses and found some differences. I prefer PADI because the theory goes well beyond what is in the book, there are more required dives and the dives must be done with an instructor instead of just with a dive buddy. There are also skills that must be performed and passed with PADI courses. They also do not criticise other agencies to make themselves sound better.
I also find the hose routing on the SSI gear configuration is stupid (to me). I like the PADI setup more and the DIR most of all.
I have been thinking about taking UTD courses because I like the courses and the videos, however, I do not like them flogging “UTD” gear. What really turned me off was receiving an email about UTD cycling shorts. I am willing to wear a UTD T-shirt but I am not going to wear UTD shorts on my mountain bike! I have learned a few things from AG on some of his videos I just wish he would stick to training.
I like the way that GUE operates and think I will do Primer and Fundies but no further. I wish they did SM because I do not want to go BM. I have had several hernia operations and the weight of one tank on my back is all I can stand.
I have since taken several SSI and PADI courses and found some differences. I prefer PADI because the theory goes well beyond what is in the book, there are more required dives and the dives must be done with an instructor instead of just with a dive buddy. There are also skills that must be performed and passed with PADI courses. They also do not criticise other agencies to make themselves sound better.
I also find the hose routing on the SSI gear configuration is stupid (to me). I like the PADI setup more and the DIR most of all.
I have been thinking about taking UTD courses because I like the courses and the videos, however, I do not like them flogging “UTD” gear. What really turned me off was receiving an email about UTD cycling shorts. I am willing to wear a UTD T-shirt but I am not going to wear UTD shorts on my mountain bike! I have learned a few things from AG on some of his videos I just wish he would stick to training.
I like the way that GUE operates and think I will do Primer and Fundies but no further. I wish they did SM because I do not want to go BM. I have had several hernia operations and the weight of one tank on my back is all I can stand.