Which Scuba Diving Training Agency Should You Learn To Dive With?

[@wetrock2766]

You choose the instructor! well said. That's what I did. I started diving at 56 with PADI in the Carribean, open water and advance. I was not satisfied with my level of diving. I seeked an instructor in my local northern area. Finding a lot of info on Scubaboard I decided to seek what was called DIR diving. I found a GUE instructor and met with him to take some serious training. He hesitated before accepting me and I started really learning serious stuff. Imagine me at 56 doing drills in 20 feet of water for 6 hours a day, every weekend, for a whole month. Long story short I have now a cave diver certification with more than 900 dives, 150 of them in Mexican caves, I'm now 69. Very funny thing, I always use my PADI AOW card when going recreational diving, I like to see the face of the guides when they see my control in the water.

[@pelvismen5510]

Respect

[@sven.verschaeren3103]

So, how do I have to interpret this? Do you really have to present yourself as some lower cert just to look better afterwards? And this at the age of 69? Some people never grow up.

[@dingotopruc9642]

@@sven.verschaeren3103 Your final comment was not needed, it's your faulty interpretation of what I said. I concede that I have omitted one fact: I show my PADI AOW card simply because my two other cards, GUE and IANTD, are totally unknown by the people in dive centers who verify divers credentials. The first time I booked in the Carribean I had to do a check dive because my GUE card meant nothing at the PADI 5 star center in Ste-Lucia. I simply brought my PADI card after. The people in Mexico I dive in the caves with know me. (AKA Wetroc)

[@sven.verschaeren3103]

@@dingotopruc9642 That’s not how you stated it in your initial comment. Whether my comment is needed is up to me to decide in a free world where people openly admit they play mind games with themselves and the people around them.

[@dingotopruc9642]

@@sven.verschaeren3103 You must be a lot of fun in a party. I see you are allergic to mind games, you live in your own bubble, scared of a multitude of conspirations. This is my comment and it's up to me to decide, in this free world, to express it.🙄

[@UniqueScubaLakewoodRanch]

When you go to other countries the only C-Card they want to see is your Credit Card....

[@kingtitan6964]

🤣🤣🤣...very very true!...and i learn to bring my own regs & computer!

[@normferguson2769]

Mexico dive shops have always asked for my cert card. I got it in 1974 from the newly formed (and now obsolete) Manitoba Underwater Council, and they always accept it.

[@jackwilson1560]

Zz to q for a,qeq q for a second z shot z and@@kingtitan6964

[@hotsauce1646]

Realy??? You must have been to America

[@allanschmidt8859]

@@normferguson2769 right on Norm, I'm assuming you learnt at west hawk? Have you ever dove Hillock by kenora?

[@HellrazorDogsnDives]

To quote the CEO of Scubaboard. "The fact that we have multiple scuba agencies should be celebrated." I agree, every agency has its purpose. Its important to have entry levels as well as technical levels. And James is right, depends on the instructors. Great Video James! Cheers, and safe diving!

[@barryinkpen6026]

Well done! First good explanation I've heard in my 50 years of diving...

[@byronmcdonald6060]

Getting ready to get myself and my 11yr old son SCUBA certified and was curious about the same questions. We took a discover SCUBA class last year and was hooked. The instructor teaches for PADI but is a straight forward guy and I could tell he cared about us as a person not just another dollar in his pocket. Thanks for your videos many are helpful.

[@arnoandchelseychannel3655]

With the words, "you don't shop for a diving agency, you shop for a instructor" you earned yourself a sub. Never thought about it like that, and i will keep this in mind when i go for more courses! 😀 Equivalent courses are all around the same price, so that insight really helped.

[@DiversReady]

Thanks ArnoandChelseyChannel! Welcome to our channel! Great to have you. James

[@mikeramsey9747]

I went from training with BSAC to NAUI and both were excellent programs with good and fun instructors.

[@dalisandbooks8293]

Thanks for the Video. You are fantastic. I just signed up for an Open water course as an early birthday present for myself. I am so excited.

[@djsalose]

How did it go?

[@Themarriedbachelor]

I was trained NAUI. The training you received to become an instructor was important years ago. It takes a year or more of training under a mentor, teaching students and learning how to better convey the information to the students. To day with enough money you can buy an instructor card with just a week of training. In SSI you can go from open water certified to full instructor in a month. To become a NAUI instructor it would take 2 years from open water certification to instructor and that’s if you work hard. It took me 4 years to get my NAUI Dive master card.

[@DiversReady]

Appreciate you sharing your story. Dive safe.

[@motolab.EuropeanMotorcycles]

@Themarriedbachelor what you write about becoming a SSI instructor “within a month after OW cert” is complete bollocks basically. First you need the amount of dives and mandatory specialty training, including pro training before you can attend to a ITC which in itself is around 80hours of training.. and how would you obtain the necessary 100 dives within that same month? If short cuts can be made, it is possible within every organisation, depending on the course director or certifier of each organisation Yes i have heard of instructors who did get certified with only the minimum requirements, but still they met the requirements, (my standards are different ie higher “than just bare minimum” en my pro student know that before we start a pro course) cert after only just meeting the minimum requirements can happen in any organisation. The instructor trainer and course director/certifier are of importants and although i have my preferences, not the organisation basically. I am a trained instructor for both NAUI and SSI…for years… (And i have trained quite a lot of instructors)

[@Themarriedbachelor]

@@motolab.EuropeanMotorcycles I was certified in 96 NAUI I have trained students NAUI PADI and SSI back in the 2000s SSI was a joke then. I’m sure it has came along way since then. But you said it right. It’s not the cert organization as much as it’s the instructor that makes a good diver.

[@jefferyschlicht5920]

I met a great instructor who happened to belong to NAUI. My experience was great and I loved it. It didn't matter to me what agency certified me. That was in 1979 when I was 20 years old. My advanced certification was also with a NAUI instructor at the university of Tampa. My Dives were always in sport diving parameters. No decompression Dives, just great spearfishing and sightseeing. I've never kept a log book but in 40 Years of diving I've only kept track of Dives. Over 600 Dives.

[@cleb6846]

Another insightful video. Though I sense the “What’s the best agency” argument will go on for eternity!!! Thanks James, hope to see you in Boot next year. 👌🏾

[@calkelpdiver]

I was a PADI OWSI and MSDT Instructor during the 1990's. I was originally certified by SSI (because they were based in Ft. Collins, CO at the time I was at Colorado State), and when I looked into becoming an instructor I found out that for SSI (at that time) I could only teach through an affiliated shop. PADI allowed me to teach for a shop and on my own, I carried my own instructor insurance through PADI. This gave me a lot of flexibility. Needless to say, I always felt that it was the instructor and not the agency that made the difference. Most all agencies teach the same information and skills. And while I was teaching I worked hard to make sure my students were comfortable with diving and with me. I even had a few come into the instructor ranks with me. Bottom line, do your homework and check out the Agency, Dive Shop, and instructor when deciding to get certified or continue your dive education.

[@navyhmc8302]

I do recall when, back in the mid-70's that the industry standard was you MUST subscribe to one agency (NASDS, YMCA, NAUI or that newer PADI in the US) I started with YMCA and had to take the PADI OW to go into the PADI training path. I'm so glad that this has changed! ETA: 1,000% in line with pick the instructor. I have been insanely fortunate to have exceptional instructor all across the board.

[@treyshsc]

That was a great explanation, I agree wholeheartedly. The only other thing I would add is do not let money dictate who you go to for training. I went through my training with NAUI became a Master Diver and went on to do Underwater Search and Recovery. At some point I knew I wanted to become a Cave Diver. I sought out who I believed was one of the best Cave Divers I could find, she was a little more expensive than others but the skills and training I received was unmatched. Not only that, Jill became a friend that I can still reach out to if needed. Remember when you start into the tech side whether it’s Cave or Wreck find a great Instructor no mater what reputable agency and money should not be a object, after all it’s only your life.

[@wfp9378]

I was learning with CMAS but due to family issues had to stop after only having completed 7 open water dives. A few years later I resumed at a Padi centre but they didn't accept any of my open water dives under CMAS. Turned out the PADI course was a doddle...couldn't believe how easy the course was after CMAS, but it really stuck in my throat about not accepting my past dives. I also noticed that CMAS REALLY hammered home safety compared to PADI. I mentioned all this to an older Padi dive master a few weeks ago while at Sipadan, and he told me that the dive centre I did my Padi Certification with took me for a ride. Oh well. Live and learn.

[@seymourpro6097]

You can have all the class time you want, BUT it's when you put that into practise on real dives, in real open water conditions, that all the classes and training actually make sense.

[@davidshook3696]

I was never really able to get a clear explanation on who to go with when getting certified, but you have really answered all of my questions and I really appreciate it . Great job and I look forward to seeing more of your videos. 👍 Now subscribed. 🔔

[@DiversReady]

Great to hear! Thansk so much!

[@bugman9787]

My original certification agency was NAUI. I learned at a Junior College and was taught by a LA county lifeguard. That was in 1972. I stopped diving years ago and last year decided to start again. I contacted NAUI and got a new card, bought new equipment practiced a bit in my pool and went to Beaches in Turks and Caicos in September 2012. Had to take their refresher course since I hadn’t dove forever. I made 3 dives in the 30 to 40 foot range. Didn’t want to do anything crazy since I hadn’t been diving forever. I don’t know if in the 1970’s if there were any restrictions on how deep you could go with a basic open water certification. I had taken an advanced class the next semester after I got certified. When I sent for my replacement card I found out they had no record of my advanced class. At Beaches you could not dive below 60 feet unless you had an advanced open water certification. I was going to take a NAUI course near me in San Diego, but the water is cold and visibility is about 20 feet. I went back to Beaches Turks and Caicos this past May and decided to take their PADI advanced class. It was only 5 dives. PADI sent me an advanced cert card and rented me an e card for about 60 days. They send me emails all the time trying to sell me e cards and even a new hard card! I don’t know why you would want one except if you lost one. You can get one with all kinds of different designs and different sea life. They sell you trips and all kinds of classes. I have come to believe that they are after your money anyway they can get it. NAUI has never sent me anything trying to sell me anything. I can see why a lot of divers do not like PADI! I will say that all the instructors, and all the staff at Beaches Turks and Caicos are very well trained and very safety conscious. They do have your best interests in mind and run a great operation!

[@EhCloserLook]

So, I should go NAUI instead of PADI? (I don’t like being pressured to buy stuff.)

[@bugman9787]

@@EhCloserLook I would choose NAUI, but I think it really comes down to the instructor. If I were you I would check out different dive shops and talk to the instructors and see what is the best fit for you. The lady I had at Beaches in Turks and Caicos was really good. Everybody at their facility is good and very knowledgeable and very safety conscious. Their whole operation down there is very good and well run right down to the boat captains. Safety is very important to all of them. My instructor when I took my beginning course at the Junior Collage was great. He was a LA County life guard with a lot of experience. The other great thing about taking the course at a Junior College was it was over a semester, and we swam a 1/4 mile before each class. Not only did we learn how to dive, we also got into great shape and had a lot of experience before we were certified. I know now when you go to a dive shop to get certified, I think they do it in about 5 dives plus book work about the physics and safety of diving. Good luck and take your time and pick out a good instructor that fits you!

[@EhCloserLook]

Thank you for the advice, @@bugman9787!

[@bugman9787]

@@EhCloserLook you are welcome, hope it helped!

[@chadrooster]

My country is so small that PADI was the only option in 2017 when I did my open water course. Now in 2020 that same diving center is affiliated with RAID, so I did my advanced water course with them again and since they were the same instructors there was no difference.

[@darrellmaddox6449]

This is awesome to know because I was certified with Southern Skin Diving and I'm SDI! This was so helpful.

[@MrSschamber2]

Another great informative video James! Subscriber since (nearly) the beginning...Always look forward to mouthpiece Monday!

[@kotro88]

James - To go pro, I'm finding out that if I want to move to certain areas in the Caribbean (Virgin Islands, Bahamas, the DR, Turks and Caicos) it seems there is a lot more opportunity for "PADI" instructors and DMs at "PADI resorts" and dive ops?? At least they are listing it in their job postings ("must be PADI DM and/or OWSI", etc). I am just getting ready to move from SSI to the PADI "pro track" for the best chance at future employment. Would love to hear your thoughts about employment opportunities as they relate to the various agencies. Thanks as always for the great videos!

[@gmancolo]

Around here, several shops have switched from PADI to SSI. Paying less money seemed to be the prime reason, for both shop and students (cards, materials, etc.). Many advanced divers routinely seem to recommend SDI/TDI.

[@rickfowler5342]

Very informative! Thanks! PS: A bright light just went off in my brain. Seeing things much clearer now. 🙌

[@andywaring12]

Great video. I've observed that the more entry level the certification the greater the possibility of getting poor teaching. Very impressed with your French accent! ;-)

[@biagiosancetta8876]

Depends a good deal on what you look for in your dive life. If you just want to have fun once in a while, staying within 90 feet, PADI is fine. If you want more rigoreous training especially open water, maybe NAUI would be preferable. If you are later inclined to cave, wreck, solo or deep diving better get some tech training. Bottom line: dive safely and enjoy it.

[@normferguson2769]

PADI seem to have changed their rules. Any Open Water cert is now only good to 60’ so US dive shops will only let you do shallow reefs. You need to pay the $500 for the Advanced OW to go deeper. We resolved to call the intended dive shop to ask them what rules they (and their lawyer) are enforcing. SSI OW cents are good to 100’

[@DiverLife]

Another great video buddy! We'll said with regards to looking at the instructor!

[@carlgundrum8817]

you are 100% correct. An investigation your on your own even if your not at fault until cleared. That also includes with your insurer.

[@lydialeigh4]

Thanks for answering the questions that have been on my mind! Great straightforward, helpful input once again. Much appreciated.

[@DiversReady]

Thanks Lydia! What other questions do you have?! James

[@lydialeigh4]

@Divers Ready Yes! Off topic though - what resources are there for a new diver to find dive buddies, especially locally? I have a relationship with a dive shop and know I can tap into them to schedule trips, but any other avenues I could explore to find buddies to dive the local lakes?

[@normferguson2769]

I got Open Water certified in 1973. I discovered that US dive shops follow PADI and only take you on shallow water dives to 60’. To go deeper with PADI shops you need AOW dive card ($535 right now in Canada). I understand SSI certify their OW to 100’, which I have been to regularly.

[@DiversReady]

thanks for sharing

[@conypard4441]

By the way James, your French is really good! I crave your capsules on anything scuba. Keep up the great work!

[@drewbursey6022]

Great video James! Thanks for sharing! Right now I seem to be doing some agency hopping. I've done some training with PADI and SDI and will be doing my deep with another agency 😂

[@ArmyVeteranAJ]

Drew Bursey If you would have gone with NAUI, you would have gotten “Deep” included as an integrated part of your Advanced Course. Along with a number of other specialties that other dive agencies will nickel and dime the living shit out of you for.

[@koishiikitty]

Exactly the info I needed. Looking to get certified for diving and I was so confused by the different organizations listed.

[@d0peshow]

Thanks for making me research "underwater groping".

[@adampilot8275]

Cracking stuff Jamesy. Thumbs up from yours truly.

[@saint-andrecome3162]

Hi James! It's a good thing you spent time talking about CMAS and not dismissed everything that wasn't RSTC. But the rest of the video is then very PADI/SSI/SDI/... oriented. Even if it's easier to call everything an agency I don't feel it's the right word with CMAS. As you said most of the CMAS "agencies" don't try to make money beeing sport federations. As a matter of fact I don't pay any fee beeing a CMAS dive instructor.

[@zazugee]

in my country, most clubs offer CMAS standard courses

[@highcooley]

Also worth noting, that CMAS takes a slightly different approach in teaching. In my experience, it‘s more technical, science and maths oriented and therefore not as approachable and fun to everybody as courses of most RSTC members. Also the teaching material is often not as glossy and polished. On the other hand, it’s often a bit cheaper and there is no separate Rescue Diver certificate, since you have been drilled in emergency procedures from the get go. Also many specialties are part of the main certificates. But this also means, that crossing over to RSTC is only easily possible until the Advanced level.

[@billhazel4476]

Extremely informative, I always learn from your videos. Thank you.

[@droneguynh6371]

Good explanation. Thank you for clearing that up a bit.

[@simonajanehallevansinstagr154]

Hi, i’ve been following you for a little while now and I just got back from a weekend diving in the Blue Hole in New Mexico. Supposedly I was doing my perfect buoyancy course. I am only an OW. On the first day I got but it up but both of us were shown absolutely nothing while our instructor was with another group doing a deep dive. We blew some bubbles and we got out. The next day the gentleman I was paired with as a buddy did not show. The instructor said I could start the descent with them which I did and then they went deeper as they were doing a deep dive. In short I was left alone, 20 feet I thought I can blow some bubbles till he comes back. I kept looking it was nowhere to be seen suddenly I catch myself I can’t seem to control my breathing that’s not an issue I had before, however I’ve only been in warm oceans before. Due to the bubbles I suddenly could not see my dive computer and on my next attempt I couldn’t even see my psi to even try and estimate how long I have been there and I hope that the instructor would be back. Needless to say after feeling kind of stressed I had my wits enough it seems to just get out of the water. Once the instructors and his students got out about five minutes later he eventually approached me to make me sign my paper that I am certified. Now so basically I went in the water and blew some bubbles and I come out and I’m satisfied… I am trying to figure out what the code of conduct is for SSI, I’ve done SSI many times never in my life have I experienced anything like this for my instructor or school. If you could please advise me I’m still quite stressed before filing a complaint. I wasn’t sure if maybe this is the way that certification goes so fast I wanna do my research before complaining. Thank you.

[@robinklipper-fischbein4872]

Excellent information as always! We lucked out with our OW instructor 😉, it truly made all the difference for us. P. S. Love seeing Menno in your videos!

[@DGFishRfine1]

Pick an instructor, not a certifying body. Personally, I dive with GUE, but I've met superb instructors from pretty much every organization under the sun! 👍

[@cmfamonteiro]

I was losing hope until the minute 13:50...😂 Nice video once again. Congrats!

[@rodfrancis3074]

Choose an instructor? Agree with the principle but really not that practical for most of us. More detail please as how you do that?

[@mementovivere2]

Thank you, that answers my questions

[@Sgyozo]

How is the insurance works with open water courses, or intro dives? If someone goes to vacation, does an intro dive or a course, what insurance can he choose without a cert? And if someone has a cert, do they look into it deeper if an accident occurs? For example, if the dude goes into a wreck, cave, or too deep, without the proper cert and gets hurt, will this effect how the insurance company pays?

[@gamernick1533]

Wow, they chose a stellar time to close their doors.. weeks before a global lockdown :) bet they breathed a sigh of relief through the sadness of closing shop!

[@cgaet]

Wish I would have heard this before I started 😂😂

[@Emmanuel-Power]

Totally agree! It is all about the relationship with the instructor and the service he or she will provide. Quality of training, as well as the quality of the actual dives they will take you on (the quality of the dive, the length of the dive, and the safety of the dive). An interesting question to ask would be: How long will I be able to dive at some price point. - Case in point: Christo van Jaarsveld with SSI at Sodwana, South Africa will allow you (depending on your qualifications, training, and experience to dive as long as you can safely within those parameters whereas and I will not name them some other Credit Card driven agencies/operators want to get you into the water and out of the water as soon as they can (as to launch the next batch). It is not just the trip to the water that counts, perhaps of greater importance is the actual dive experience!

[@romainjean2068]

Your French is amazing! ;) More seriously thanks for making the effort to say CMAS correctly. Very interesting video !!!!👍 I was looking for this type of information without finding anything comprehensive enough. And I love your point of view. I am the way around, did all my PADI cert and now I am back to France I can't find any PADI courses/instructor.

[@shuntao3475]

Up next James..... How to FIND a good Instructor. I have only meet 1 instructor, that never BS'd me, and did not IMO short change the Training. He then retired before teaching me, but we sit and drink, and he educates me with whatever knowledge I want to know.

[@Sam-pu7rt]

Thank you for this information. My wife and I are starting our journey into scuba diving and this video has helped me choose a dive center to get our certifications. After much research and going to dive shops we have chosen a great shop with amazing employees who train SDI. Super stoked to get started!! Thank you for the amazing content.

[@theochrist9453]

There are no good or bad agencies, the Instructor matters !

[@zazugee]

in my country, lot of scuba divers say that clubs who offer PADI are only in for the money its certainly more expensive, but its convenient to get online course most clubs here are CMAS certified and they do it the old ways, by attending courses in the club its kinda worth the money, but when you dont have much lodging options and hotels are expensive, it becomes more expensive than PADI's

[@stephendoherty8291]

Cmas won't accept padi without test dives with a top certified diver to assess you on a number of increasing level of difficulty starting with basic dive gear

[@julianosorio1360]

Wow, Thanks me gusto mucho tu video muy claro.....

[@kurtsteiner8384]

Not all training agencies accept other training agencies certifications. Although I was an rn clearance diver royal navy. PADI would not accept this. I had to start from scratch.. however I found out some years later bsac do accept other agencies. And believe most others do like SSI. But may need to do an assessment with that agency. But you only need open water to dive with the RN or to be accepted on a commercial diving course. Hope it helps

[@Matrim42]

This was actually super helpful. I’m looking to take my open water in May and I was kinda stressing because the local dive shop (I’m inland so we’re a bit starved for choice) moves away from PADI so I was concerned about where my certs would be accepted.

[@faisala2911]

I'm a Jordanian diver btw. Thanks for the shoutout 😂

[@leahyeahnah6866]

For me the question was: do I want to drive two hours or six hours to the dive centre? PADI it was.

[@Emmanuel-Power]

The question should rather be: How long will I be able to dive - Case in point: Christo van Jaarsveld with SSI at Sodwana, South Africa will allow you (depending on your qualifications, training, and experience to dive as long as you can safely within those parameters whereas and I will not name them some other Credit Card driven agencies/operators want to get you into the water and out of the water as soon as they can (as to launch the next batch). It is not just the trip to the water that counts, perhaps of greater importance is the actual dive experience!

[@lmlmd2714]

Virtually the whole diving world: "Agency really isn't a big deal" * France has entered the chat*

[@barryeldridge6982]

I am a 25-year SSI dive con worked as a underwater tour guide at Bonne terre mines for 5 years and had experience with multi different dive agencies and SSI is far superior

[@DiversReady]

Hi Barry, thanks for watching. In your opinion, in what ways are SSI superior? James

[@jakeman1397]

I've trained with SSI, PADI and BSAC. The SSI instructors were by far the worst, and they had the lowest saftey standards-so I really can't see how the agency is 'far superior.' Its just another agency.

[@grifini27]

@@jakeman1397 I think a lot comes down to instructors. I've also done all 3 and by far the worst was Bsac, very outdated and best was ssi. It's always gona come down to the individual experiences

[@jakeman1397]

@@grifini27 that was what I ment by there just another agency, probably should have been clearer . It really is down to instructors, all agencies have good ones and bad ones. Shame you had a bad experience with BSAC, what club were you with?

[@SvenVoelk]

good points. it becomes a different game once you are an instructor depending where in the world you want to teach. in europe you are best of with cmas, bsac and yes maybe padi. other places you may need naui, sdi, and cmas... it really depends. this days padi appears nearly everywhere in the world when dive centers look for employees. thats not because padi is superior in terms of diving programs, but they are just one step ahead in marketing, networking and making padi accepted everywhere. the point of finding an instructor your are comfy with is the single best advice in this video! f*ck the certification agency (as long is it is not sth outlandish - as mentioned in the video!). go with an instructor that come highly recommended to you/ you trust based on talking to him. below pro levels you can always switch agencies (as mentioned). you want great training and somebody you feel you can trust to provide it. diving is not like learning to make great marshmallows, your live may depend on the quality of your training!

[@JosephMullin]

I noticed the PADI book/binder over your shoulder. LOL

[@MrCybernick]

Very Sound advice.

[@JesusisLord-7A]

Ok, here's one for you. I am about to sign up for a back-to-back open water and advanced class in the fire department that I work for so that I can get my rescue dive certification. The three instructors, apparently, are dive instructors. How am I going to know if my certification is International or not? How can I prepare myself for the book part of the classes? Thank you for the video.

[@DiversReady]

Ask them which agency is certifying the course, then see if that agency is a member of the World Recreational Scuba Training Council.... wrstc.com/

[@odeltarkhan3033]

I am a PADI msdt. In France Toulon FFESSM cmas 2 star instructor equivalent to cmas 3 star instructor which is course director and technical diving instructor in the navy and Bsac instructor from Scotland with over 10000 dives I stopped counting as logbook aren't cheap. Formerly had my own diving center and have teached and certified over 3000 divers. By far for me PADI is just about money. They are good only in one thing their diving manuals are the same worldwide where as cmas differs with each county. Example french cmas level 4 divers are allowed to a maximum depth of 60 meters regarding as the safe maximum limit for compress air but Israel cmas is limited to 40 meters even for instructors. My choice is cmas because I remember when I was doing my cmas level 4 I have to pass diving medecine exam + technical exam for diving equipment and compressor + boat handling + pedagogy exam how to teach try dive, scuba diver level and be able to teach level 1 to 4 in a classroom + leadership exam in deep water down to 60 meters + full physical examination. Free dive to at least 12 meters + 50 meters unconscious dive tow with full gear and without gear. 500 meters swim in open water within 12 minutes + everything regarding kids and handicap diving.

[@diveaddict6885]

You could teach recreational courses under IANTD since you were a technical instructor

[@bryonkornder4759]

I am going with NAUI for open water card because I hear they teach a bit more on how to help others. For example, the main difference between the certifications at the basic stage is that NAUI will train its divers the basic skills of saving an unconscious diver but PADI does not.

[@DiversReady]

Enjoy your training.

[@monochromaticlightsource9153]

All of the major training agencies offer a good product. Who delivers the product and how they deliver it is what you need to consider. Are you a beginner, and do you want to dive regularly; or only on vacation? This is a genuine recommendation from a newly qualified open water diver. "Where do I start? Friendly, knowledgeable staff who will do anything for you from local knowledge to professional instruction. The team at the centre have just finished taking me through the PADI open water course, *** (The Instructor) took me through everything from basic skills and building up confidence right up to qualifying leaving me with the skills to be in the water. All with spot on knowledge and a friendly approach. If you are thinking of learning to dive, need an air refill, want to buy some gear or simply want an ice cream, these guys are there for you. Thank you again and I will be back to learn more and get out in the water with you! " This is an acknowledgment that the school did a good job, as far as this student was concerned. These are the sort of recommendations as a new diver you should be looking out for, look at their Facebook page, look at their website, their location, and how others perceive them. You can have a flash looking website, and you can have a pleasant informative website. The good schools don't need to shout how good they are, the unsolicited, satisfied students will do that for them. As a minimum your school should be affiliated with one of the recognised training agencies, who belong to the RSTC, The Recreational Scuba Training Council, a body who sets out the " minimum training standards" MTS is or should be met by All diving instructors. You can find out from the RSTC what those are. Remember too that wherever you learn, as an "Open Water Diver" you are only going to be qualified to Dive in the environment in which you learned, so if you learnt in a Quarry, or a pond, you aren't really qualified to go in the ocean, moving water, or in visibility conditions different to the ones you are used to, vice versa, and in that case, you ought to seek additional training and experience in those new conditions from a diving professional. A case in point... ( I am a Charter Dive boat skipper U.K. based) 30 years as a skipper.. I had a triplet of Trimix qualified divers, who wanted to Dive a 43M Submarine wreck. They had learned to Dive inland, and had done all their training in Quarries, fresh water, and to depths beyond 70M. Trimix divers have rigorous training requirements as prerequisites before they can under go Trimix training. This was in the days before Rebreathers became common, and they were on Open circuit scuba; Twinsets and sideslung deco cylinders. What they had no experience in was Salt water, (Different Buoyancy) and Tides. Their Deco gas was to be staged on the descent line. On entering the water, as they had no experience of water movement, they spent so long on the surface, the tide drifted them away from the descent or Shotline. They descended anyway, and spent 25 minutes bottom time looking for the wreck, which they eventually found. This put them into deco, but their deco cylinders were staged on the shotline since they always did this in the Quarry. At the end of the day, it's down to the individual diver to make decisions based on their experience, and qualification level which dives they undertake. You can go for a liveaboard intensive weeks diving, a gentle shorebased days diving or a guided excursion on a cattle truck. But choose wisely, and explore all the options available to you before choosing your school.

[@kurtsteiner8384]

PADI Don't accept other agency certifications. That was my experience 🤠. They won't even accept proffesioan diving certification s like HSE, or other military, naval, or commercial. Where most others will do so like SSI and BSAC. Hope it helps.

[@JosephMullin]

I played underwater rugby for a few years. I played goalie.

[@bradallen5571]

Great video. It further clarifies some answers you gave me late last year and makes me completely comfortable with my plan to further my family's dive training. We're two weeks away from our PADI AOW with an instructor that has really brought us along with our skills since OW cert. We've done 13 dives with him in October and November and have another 10 including the AOW dives this time around. That will put us at 29 total dives. Then we'll rack up dive experience locally and abroad during the year. Somewhere in this year we'll get our Nitrox cert and in fall our Rescue Diver cert if we feel like we've come to that level of skill and awareness. This would be SDI at our local dive shop provided we find an instructor on their staff we feel comfortable with. Should be around 50 dives by that point (but dive #'s don't tell the whole story I know). After that, around March or so of 2021 we hope to be able to train with you in S FL for our wreck and deep certs. Also, we're checking into the Bonaire trip. Safe Diving and Vintage Strats !!

[@theonlyianwood]

You didn't cover BSAC and learning via club from amateur club member instructors. What are your thoughts on this? I learnt via a BSAC club, in 1995, to Sports Diver and nitrox but went with professional instructors for CCR and trimix courses. At the time, 2002, BSAC didn't have a CCR course. I sought out instructors for these and didn't care which agencies they were, TDI and IANTD as it happens. I think a benefit of a club is that you will have different instructors so get different points of view but it takes longer to learn. Professionals tend to be better teachers, not always of course, and the courses are done more quickly. I enjoyed my club training but I think if I was to learn now I would go with a professional, mainly as it would be quicker but also likely to get a better standard of teaching.

[@DiversReady]

Hi Ian, thanks for watching! Yes, I 'grew up' in the BSAC club system and believe I benefitted from the club environment. You hit the nail on the head with the 'hobbyist' vs 'pro' instructor comparison... I couldn't have said it better myself.

[@andrecandrade]

Super sad to hear about Pompano Dive Center. Truly one of the best I’ve dived with.

[@moodbeast]

Would you do a video of dive shops you recommend?

[@henryfair1422]

Velvetmango but that would only apply to his general area

[@gemini9424]

Great info, thanks.

[@johnbragg127]

Started bsac but they take ages to get qualified so went padi adavance nitrox due to the expensive specialist courses we now do ssi wreck and deep etc

[@TheUnknownDutchman]

Best place to get to for best training? GUE. Hands down. Sorry for others ;)

[@shuntao3475]

Um, yeah.... NO. More KoolAid

[@Teampegleg]

GUE isn't a training agency they are a cult. :P

[@TheUnknownDutchman]

@@Teampegleg Luckely they have every right to have become one :P

[@cheaplaffsarefree]

Team Peg Leg You say that like it’s a bad thing.

[@earlgrey2130]

It's GUE imho

[@loneagwolf306]

two questions. 1) Have you seen an influx on new students as a result of your videos? 2) It seems the you are really against PADI but you have a PADI book behind you on your shelf.

[@DiversReady]

Hi Daniel, Thanks for watching and for your questions. Here's my answers: 1) A little bit, yes. I was pretty busy before I started KZbin. I have a variety of other Diver services I offer besides teaching. 2) What is your question? Am I against PADI? No. I have called them out on some of their bullshit in the past, but I've also made a video about why I think PADI are so successful. I try to be balanced. I don't think PADI are any better in terms of the quality of their training programs than any other major agency, although they will try and convince you they are. If it wasn't for the vast amount IDC Centers PADI has all around the world, I might not even be an Instructor now. And the book on the shelf is my wife's. Dive safe, James

[@loneagwolf306]

@@DiversReady Thank you

[@milanklinger3122]

great video! but I'm still wondering if there are qualitative differences when it comes to the different programs / curriculums. I recently came across GUE (Global Underwater Explorers) and from everything I've found online they sound like the best in class when it comes to picking your diving agency. It probably will be less appealing to those just wanting to learn to dive in no time as it sounds way more demanding, but for everyone else, be it a diver or someone who want to become one it appears to have a really thoughtful approach on security, technique and diving itself. What's your take on them James?

[@andrewkantas6235]

I’m also a strong advocate of GUE, In my opinion it is by far the best dive training in the world, It is global so you can find instruction virtually anywhere you can dive

[@cooperlyy]

Great vidéo and advices - I am a french diver and I would like to know your take about the french scuba diving organization FFESSM ? This NGO is a founding member of CMAS.

[@andywaring12]

I took my N3 with FFESSM in the mediterranean after having done OW, AOW, Deep and various others with PADI. I've done 100 or so dives with FFESSM qualified divers and my experience has always been good. The standard of training was excellent with the FFESSM club I dived with. I completely agree that it's much more important to find an instructor who wants to teach you how to become a good diver. My FFESSM N3 card has the CMAS 3* equivalent and is accepted by PADI as the equivalent of Rescue Diver.

[@shepleonard8695]

NAUI everyday all day and twice on Tuesday.

[@AndresDelapava]

Late comment I just get my Xdeep Zen Deluxe, wow what a piece of gear, greetings from Curacao Island, and a part of choose instructor the agency also have some minimum request some for me are better than others

[@nickferara8945]

Holy crap.....I did not understand a word that dude said at the convention...lol

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

It’s not the agency it the instructors with that said. I look the written training material I like to keep my material as reference on the shelf. The better agencies also have hard copy and electronic format available as well as video.

[@davidhamilton7814]

Brilliant advice

[@indysilver_02]

When I was on Vacation in Miami about 3 yrs ago, I wanted to go scuba diving but the place I tried to go with said I had to be PADI certified or I had to start from scratch. I only had 4 more days down there so that canceled that. Wish I could remember more details about who I called now.

[@bramsoens1143]

Spot on James

[@mitchroberts6096]

U.S.Naval "Open Circuit scuba" training.

[@RobMorse]

Darn it. I liked Pompano Dive Center.

[@fuiminglee7660]

My son wants to continue scuba diving as his career. He has completed his SDI Master Diver in Malaysia. I and my son just migrated to the USA. But apparently, most of the companies in the USA are looking for PADI instructors. He is very upset. I need your advice. Should he continue as SDI Instructor or shift to PADI? What is the difference in training between PADI and SDI? Thank you.

[@richardmulryan5418]

James, Another question for you. I am only OW and AOW through PADI. I am very interested in pursuing the dive training path to become a dive master. I recently went to a dive shop that tought under the PADI and SSI agencies. The owner was pushing me to follow the SSI program because, in his words "they give better quality instructions". During the conversation he mentioned that if I wanted to stay with PADI I could but I could also pay a second fee and become a certified dive master under SSI at the same time. Essentially I could do the training and get certs for both agencies with the extra payment. Is this how it works, or is this a bit shady?

[@rodneyhanbaum697]

Very good information! Is dive insurance a yearly policy or is it something you purchase per dive? Probably a silly question, as I'm totally new. Will start my open water course starting in June. Thank you

[@DiversReady]

Yearly coverage... usually unlimited dives.

[@charlesleeuwenburg9640]

LA County Underwater Unit is the only agency that doesn't appear to have been dummied down for the sake of just putting people (and potential customers) in the water.

[@richardluna3915]

Say you find a great instructor who certifies for multiple agencies. Any recommendations on how to pick which one you want the instructor to go through?

[@ArmyVeteranAJ]

Richard Luna If they certify through NAUI, take that above anything else.

[@nwced]

Just curious. I got my open water with NSDS or NASDS in the 1980s. Does it still exist? I have my card somewhere in storage and I'm starting to get back into diving.

[@cyrillbrisset7063]

hi, what"s about NON RSTC agencies ? i mean the way to teach professional (without a script)

[@jangrewe]

Just a sidenote, the boot show is not pronounced like the thing you wear on your feet, but rather like "boat", maybe with a little less "a" ... kinda like "bowed". 😊

[@Ok-pj2uv]

Im sarting diving next Wednesday