Certification scuba diving is essential if you plan to pursue scuba diving professionally. There are many certifications available depending on your interests and budget. PADI, SSI (NAUI), CMAS, and many more are the most popular certifications for beginners. Find out which one is right to you! You will also find some helpful tips and tricks on how to choose the best certification program for you.
PADI
PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is a professional organization for diver training and membership. The organization was founded in 1966 by John Cronin and Ralph Erickson. The certification requires a wide range of training, including knowledge of safety, navigation, and dive operation. The PADI course teaches divers how to safely and effectively supervise a dive and explains the nuances of underwater navigation.
Students who have completed the PADI open water course will receive a rescue diver certification. This requires five different dive courses with five distinct learning outcomes and 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. The Rescue Diver certification is designed for individuals who are willing to rescue others in distress underwater. It usually takes two to three full days of training. This includes theory, two open water dives, and a pool session.
SSI
When deciding which certification is right for you, a SSI course is a great choice. Both SSI as well as PADI courses require a level of skill. PADI courses are more strict and require that students complete skills in a particular order. SSI, however, allows for more flexibility. If one skill is too difficult, they can move on to another until they get it right. They can get their certifications in a matter hours with SSI because they can do it while they are on vacation.
SSI offers online courses that allow you to log your dives instantly. Manuals can either be downloaded from the internet or obtained at a dive shop. SSI offers an ecertification card. You can get one by creating an online account. There are many costs, but the average cost for 2018 courses was 50 USD. Afterward, you can upgrade to a higher level of certification by completing a dive training course.
NAUI
The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) is an association of certified scuba diving instructors. They are responsible for providing education programs and standards to scuba divers across the globe. A NAUI certification allows you to teach scuba diving to non-professionals, while meeting international dive safety standards. NAUI offers training courses and teaches scuba diving all over the globe.
Al Tillman (a Scripps Institute of Oceanography peer) held the first NAUI training class in Los Angeles in 1959. In 1958, he and another oceanographer at the Scripps Institute granted provisional diving certifications. In 1960, the film "Sea Hunt" starring Lloyd Bridges generated great interest in scuba diving as a recreational activity. The National Diving Patrol was established in 1960. Jacques-Yves Cousteau was elected its first president. The Navy SEALs (NASA) and Walt Disney Resorts (Walt Disney Resorts) still use the NAUI training program.
CMAS
Scuba divers from every continent should seek out a school that offers CMAS courses. While there isn't a single list of certified dive schools, it is possible to search the internet for one. CMAS courses provide 5 days of training and emphasize safety. CMAS certification requires that you are at least 16 and have dived 25 times. You also need to have a medical certificate from a diving doctor. If you already have a certification, the first step in obtaining SSI will be to complete a course.
You can take a course equivalent in another agency if you hold a qualification from one agency, but not another. The table below can be used to refer to scuba diving experience and if you are interested in more advanced courses. You may need to start at a lower level, if you have a CMAS 1 or 2 certificate. This is why you should get advice from the new organization before making any decision.