Certification scuba diving is essential if you plan to pursue scuba diving professionally. Various scuba certification programs are available to you depending on your preferences and your budget. PADI, SSI and NAUI are just a few of the popular certification programs available for beginners. Find the one that is right for your needs! Here are some tips and tricks to help you choose the right certification program.
PADI
PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), a professional organization, is for diving training and membership. John Cronin & Ralph Erickson created the organization in 1996. The certification requires a wide range of training, including knowledge of safety, navigation, and dive operation. PADI courses teach divers how to safely and efficiently supervise a diving operation and explain the nuances and benefits of underwater navigation.
After the PADI Open Water Course, students can obtain a rescue diver certificate. Five different courses are required to complete this certification. Each course has five learning outcomes and five skill sets. Two of these courses must be Deep Dive Specialty Courses, while one must be Underwater Navigation Specialty Course. The three remaining must be selected from a selection. Rescue diver certification is intended for those who wish to help in emergency situations underwater. The course typically requires two or three days of training, which includes theory, a pool session, and two open water dives.
SSI
A SSI training course is a good choice for deciding which certification you should pursue. Both SSI and PADI courses require a certain level. PADI courses are more rigid, and require students to master skills in a specific order. SSI permits more flexibility. If one skill is too difficult, they can move on to another until they get it right. With SSI, they can also do the training on vacation while on vacation, which means they can get their certification in a matter of days.
SSI offers a digital course so you can easily log your dives. The manuals can be ordered online or borrowed from a local dive center. SSI allows you to create an online profile and obtain an e certificate card. Prices vary, but most courses are around 50 USD. After completing the course, you can upgrade your certification to a higher level by taking a dive training class.
NAUI
The National Association of Underwater Instructors or NAUI is an association of certified Scuba Diving Instructors. Their primary purpose is to provide standards and education programs for scuba divers worldwide. NAUI certification lets you teach scuba divers to non-professionals while also meeting international safety standards. NAUI also offers training courses.
Al Tillman from Scripps Institute of Oceanography held the first NAUI training session in Los Angeles, in 1959. He and another Scripps Institute oceanographer were granted provisional diving certificates in 1958. Scuba diving was popularized by Lloyd Bridges' 1960 movie "Sea Hunt". In 1960, the National Diving Patrol was founded, and Jacques-Yves Cousteau was named as its first president. The Navy SEALs use NAUI training programs, NASA and Walt Disney Resorts globally.
CMAS
Scuba diving enthusiasts on every continent need to look for dive schools that offer CMAS certificates. While there isn't a single list of certified dive schools, it is possible to search the internet for one. CMAS courses are equivalent to 5 days of diving and emphasize the importance of safety, including the use of a buddy. You must be at minimum 16 years old and have completed 25 dives. A medical certificate from a doctor is required to be eligible for CMAS certification. If you already hold another certification, the first step will be to complete an SSI course.
If you have a qualification from one agency but not from another, you can enroll in an equivalent course in another agency. You can refer to the table below if you have some experience with scuba diving. The table does not include all training agencies. You might need to start at the lower level if your CMAS 1 or 2 certification is required. Before making a decision, it is advisable to seek the advice of the new agency.