Which scuba diving certification is the best, PADI or SSI?

[Peter]

So, I'm doing scuba diving training this summer, and I was looking at different places where I can go to get certified, and there are two locations that I like....one is PADI and one is SSI. The SSI one is a lot cheaper, seeing that you do the classroom portion online and it's free to do it online (they still cover everything in the actual classroom when you go for you classes, but they just skim over it since you already know the info from the online course...so it'll be more like a refresher), and the PADI one is $199, and even still the company will make you do the classroom portion. With the PADI center, training is $420 or $250, depending on if you buy your scuba gear from them or not, and I think they charge a minimum of $330 for the equipment....the other one is like $200 ...and I can buy my scuba gear from wherever I want...but the true question...is it better to get PADI certified and pay more money, or is SSI and PADI certification the same? Like will other divers look down at me if I'm SSI or anything? thanks!

JamalN - Yahoo

[McHow2]

Hi Peter,

I think the best is to not make your diving certification online! No matter which diving organization you use, PADI or SSI. Get certified by an instructor and do your course in a classroom where you can ask questions and a real person is answering them. This is at anytime preferable to multiple choice online forms. Scuba diving is not like riding a bike or a car; when something goes wrong, you just get out and walk!

For the choice between SSI and PADI; if you're low on budget, choose SSI, but if you can somehow afford it, go to a PADI dive school, get your book, where you can read things over and over again and be trained in a professional way. The difference in $ is not that big, but believe me, you want to have a good div ing education to become a good and responsible diver who's buddy can relay on at any time of a dive. Choose wisely and not cheaply... but most of all, have fun with your new hobby.

[McHow2]

@craigsmith


Now I'm confused Roatan is in Bali or in Honduras?

By the way, did I forget to mention that PADI courses make less money for the dive center than SSI courses even though they are more expensive for the divers? It's all in the books!