One difference is that SDI was developed from dive professionals in the technical diving field. PADI has deep roots in recreational diving and has stayed true to these roots. Also the recreational diver must understand that each certification organization is simply a marketing model with the goals of producing a safe product, YOU THE DIVER!
What is the difference between SDI and Padi certification?
One difference is that SDI was developed from dive professionals in the technical diving field. PADI has deep roots in recreational diving and has stayed true to these roots. Also the recreational diver must understand that each certification organization is simply a marketing model with the goals of producing a safe product, YOU THE DIVER!
Why choose SDI scuba diving?
SDI stands out from other scuba diving training agencies due to its unique perspective of teaching recreational scuba diving through the eyes of professional technical diving. Thanks to is professional technical diving background, the SDI Scuba diving approach could be described as more “modern” than the average agency.
What is PADI scuba?
The PADI Scuba approach is perfectly represented in their mission statement: PADI exists to develop programs that encourage and fulfill the public interest in recreational scuba and snorkel diving worldwide (PADI Instructor Manual, version 2.7pdf [12/02]).
When did SDI change the technical diving market?
Maybe even before you heard about SDI or it’s hugely popular technical diving agency TDI. PADI started over 50 years ago and SDI over 20 so they’ve been in the market longer. But SDI changed the market back in 1999, and in a BIG way.
Is SDI recognized everywhere?
SDI is recognized worldwide with more than 24 international offices and thousands of SDI dive shops.
Is PADI or SDI better?
If you're looking to become professional as a scuba diving instructor you may want to opt for PADI since it is the more well-known of the two. If you want to pursue diving as a career (and not be a dive instructor) then SDI may work better for you, given their connection to TDI.
Does PADI recognize SSI?
But will people accept an SSI qualification in a PADI shop? Yes! Both organizations are recognised all over the world for quality scuba diving training. Any qualification you gain with either will be valid in any dive shop.
Can you transfer SSI to PADI?
If you are an SSI divemaster you can enroll directly into the PADI instructor course and then there is a simple 2-3 day SSI course to give you SSI instructor certification. If, however you are a SSI instructor and want to become a PADI instructor you will have to take the entire PADI instructor course again.
How long does SDI scuba certification last?
Will my certification expire? No, your certification will not expire. As an PADI Open Water Diver, your certification is good for life. If you do not actively participate in scuba for an extended period of time, however, it's a good idea to refresh your skills through the PADI ReActivate class.
Which diver certification is best?
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) – PADI is the undisputed leader in recreational scuba diving training. While statistics vary, it is estimated that PADI has certified between 60-75% of recreational scuba divers worldwide.
Why is SSI cheaper than PADI?
SSI are arguably keeping up with our technological age a little bit better than PADI and have made online materials much more accessible and cheaper for their students than PADI.
How deep can you dive with open water SSI?
18m / 60 feetThe SSI Open Water Diver is our most popular certification level. This globally-recognized certification will allow you to dive with another certified diver, worldwide, to depths of up to 18m / 60 feet and is valid for life.
How do I become a master diver for SSI?
How to achieve the Master Diver rating with SSILog 50 dives. These dives need to be logged in the MySSI app. ... Complete the Stress and Rescue specialty. SSI treats the Rescue course as a specialty course. ... Complete 4 more Specialty courses. There is an extensive list of specialty courses available.
Can you do PADI advanced with SSI open water?
If you've completed your Open Water with SSI you can enrol in the Advanced Open Water with PADI and so forth.
Is SSI different to PADI?
Many instructors prefer the SSI approach, which gives instructors much more flexibility in the sequence of skills that the student learns, while PADI maintains that skills cannot be moved from one in-water session to another, although the order of skills can be altered within a session.
Can PADI convert to NAUI?
The answer is of course yes, you can get a new PADI card and the training that you have already done (even if with a different training agency such as BSAC, CMAS, SSI or NAUI) will not have been wasted and it is rare that we need to start from complete scratch again.
What is a SDI?
Founded by Technical Diving International (TDI, the largest technical dive agency in the world) SDI has the unique advantage of seeing the recreational diving community through the experienced eyes of technical diving.
Is diving a for profit business?
Have no confusion, modern recreational diving is a for-profit business. It is in direct competition with all other recreational sports. The recreational dive business is competing with skiing, boating, climbing, hiking, bicycling etc. Certification organizations by nature and concept engage in a degree of selling to the customer of what they assume diving is all about. The reality of standardized training followed by most organizations produce a standard product, you the recreational diver.
What is the motto of PADI?
Their motto “the way the world learns to dive” perfectly sums up PADI’s efforts to provide a safe and standardized dive experience for the average recreational diver all over the world.
Who is the founder of the PADI?
The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) was founded in 1966 by John Cronin (a former NAUI instructor) and Ralph Erickson. Their goal by creating this organization was to break down and make more accessible the single universal diving training course prevalent in those days.
When was Scuba Diving International created?
Scuba Diving International (SDI) was created in 1998-1999 as the sister organization of Technical Diving International (TDI), specialized in training recreational divers. TDI is the world’s largest technical diver training organization, which means Scuba Diving International was created by experienced professional technical divers, following the strict protocols and procedures needed in this field.
Is SDI a modern agency?
Thanks to is professional technical diving background, the SDI Scuba diving approach could be described as more “modern” than the average agency. SDI fully embraces the use of new technology with a philosophy of re-evaluating age-old practices with the actual needs of current divers in mind. It is because of this that they were the first agency to require the use of dive computers for their Open Water Divers.
Is PADI regulated by WRSTC?
As we mentioned previously, both SDI and PADI are regulated by the WRSTC so they will both meet the required standards, both have extremely similar core curriculums and they are both committed to the same goal: producing great divers!
Who owns SSI diving equipment?
SSI’s motto is “ Focused on quality, and not quantity “. Scuba Schools International is owned by scuba diving equipment company Mares Mares is owned by Head BV, which is a European sports equipment manufacturer. This means that like PADI, SSI is a commercial enterprise and is a profit making business.
What is the goal of the founders of Scuba Divers?
Their goal was to give more people a chance to enjoy the underwater world. They wanted to offer relevant, instructionally valid scuba diving training to create confident scuba divers who dive regularly.
What does SSI stand for?
SSI stands for the Scuba Schools International. SSI started in 1970 and has more than 30 Service Centers. Scuba Schools International is represented in more than 110 countries world-wide with over 2,800 International locations.
Is SSI recognized by PADI?
The question about whether SSI is recognised by PADI or visa versa and PADI recognised by SSI, the answer is yes, both these diving agencies recognise each other. However, whilst they recognise each other’s certifications, they are different. This means you can’t switch agency whilst you’re in the middle of your training or initial certification. ...
What is ISO diving?
However, ISO is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations. In this capacity, ISO sets consistent standards for top-tier diving training across the globe.
What do you need to know to become a certified diver?
What Every New Diver Should Know About Training Agencies. To become a certified SCUBA diver, the first step is completing diving training with a recognized SCUBA diving training agency. While there are hundreds of training agencies worldwide, two of the most prestigious diving training organizations are the National Association ...
What is a diving agency?
What is a Diving Training Agency (SCUBA)? A SCUBA diving training agency is an organization recognized by the International Standards Organization (ISO) to provide safe, comprehensive training for SCUBA divers.
Do you have to take a refresher if you have not dived recently?
It is recommended that if you have not dived recently and are trying to start again, you should take a refresher course with a training agency.
Does the Navy use NAUI?
For these reasons, the United States Navy uses NAUI certification. This may prompt some new divers to opt for this agency instead of PADI. Certification Timeline. With PADI, you get certified as soon as you complete all the required skills in the program. However, with NAUI, you first have to complete the skills.
Is PADI a performance based diving school?
Since 1966, this agency has offered various performance-based diving courses for diving students. While the main office is in the United States, PADI centers are all over the globe. Over half of the divers in the world were trained and certified by PADI.
Why Is The Padi Course More expensive?
- The PADI eLearning portion of the course with Saguaro is priced at $175.50 while the SDI eLearning portion of their course is priced at $99. This is a significant difference and the only real explanation is that PADI has put a higher price point on their course. PADI is a much larger company with significantly more overhead and more marketing money being spent than SDI. If y…
Are Both Certifications Accepted Around The World?
- Absolutely. Any certification done with any of the agencies in the World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC) is accepted around the world. One great thing about SDI is that you will have an account with SDI where you can login and get a digital copy of your certification card if you ever happen to forget it on a trip. PADI offers a service to PADI Professionals where they ca…
Do Both Have Options For Continuing Education?
- Of course! PADI has a full range of courses that run from Discover Scuba right up to the professional level. SDI offers very similar advanced learning options. One thing that makes SDI unique is that their sister company TDI (Technical Diving International) offers a range of technical diving learning opportunities should you be interested as well.
in Summary
- Which certifying agency and which course you choose is a personal decision for most divers. The quality of the course and the information and the knowledge which you will gain is very similar in both options. We tend to recommend new students to go down the SDI route. The $60 you save on the course can get you started with a bit of your own dive equipment! Mask, fins, snorkel, an…