Changing from Padi to SSI

[triple7]

My wife and I are open water certified with Padi. We have been dealing with another local dive shop lately that is SSI. We want to continue our training through them. Can anyone tell me if there are any downfalls to changing the certification organization at this stage in our training? I would like to go all the way to Master Diver and possibly on to instructer.

[Atlaua]

There is no downfall to choosing any agency for non-pro levels. You should choose the shop you like best.

When you decide to go on to instructor, then the agency makes more of a difference. You'll have more options if you want to instruct at other places if you go PADI. If you become an SSI instructor you would have to do the PADI IDC/IE to work for a PADI shop.

James

[scubado]

I agree with James. At this stage of your diving you can change agencies. The only problem (as James pointed out) is if you start pursuing the professional career and then want to switch back to PADI. You may have to repeat some of the same steps.

Scubado

[theskull]

Triple,

Definitely pursue your training through the shop and instructors that you most trust and admire. If you do go as far as instructor, you will want to do it with the agency that the shop you want to teach for uses. SSI is a big plus in the instructor department because they don't punish their instructor candidates financially the way PADI does.

But mostly, enjoy your diving! Enjoy taking additional classes. And don't get hung up on "progressing" through the ranks. Nothing makes you a better diver than diving more, and doing so regularly with good divers.

Have fun and dive safe,
theskull

[kent_1848]

Definately agree with theskull here. Enjoy your diving, and don't worry at all about which agency you go with for now. Take your time, because there is nothing worse than an instructor who raced to get there, and isn't a good diver.

[scubajoe]

Like everyone else said....the agency really makes no difference. If you do go on to instructor it isn't like you have to start over. You can do a crossover from one agency to another. You cover the differences but you don't have to totaly retake the IDC. I have been exploring my options.

Joe

[MgicTwnger]

I've done courses with the Y, PADI, and SSI. I agree with everybody, the instructor is the thing. That said, the Y is the least expensive, PADI the most. What a surprise!

[VuDuLou]

I must agree with everyone here...I'm "former" PADI from a shop in North Carolina, but now with an SSI shop here in Arkansas...it was the people, the shop folks that dive with/ work for the LDS that made me switch...I've taken courses with both agencies...its the instructors that count...there's also the fact I can run a tab and there's sometimes beer out in the shop garage...