SCUBA CERTIFICATION PADI vs NAUI

[gregghia]

Divers out there... can anyone tell me the REAL difference between the two techniques or certifications, PADI versus NAUI. I am thinking of getting basic certified for fun and to learn. Before I sign up somewhere I want to know if this is something that is going to be a critical factor to deciding where to take classes. I am in Raleigh NC and there are about 5 places I can go. Of the 5, 1 is NAUI and 4 are PADI. So does that mean NAUI is a specialized skill or it is less preferred.
Any knowledge or insight would help before I decide.

 

[breineach1]

You know, I'm certified NAUI but I don't know what the difference is. I took the classes (IIRC it was about a month worth of classes) & all I remember them saying about PADI was some friendly-rivalry type things, like "friends don't let friends go PADI" & "they do that in PADI-training (like potty-training,LOL)". Granted this was 12 years ago, but I would imagine the courses are the same now. Tried looking up the org's websites?

 

[gregghia]

Haven't read exstensively but the org sites don't really help. Like anything I am sure its about bragging. My main concern is that I am not missing something major of going with a school of training that is outdated or unrecognized. I just want to learn. I am sure most of the knowledge will come from real world expereince.

 

[fishkiller]

I was certified when I was 13. I'm certified Search and Rescue. I'm certified with SSI, and I've done a lot of work with Diver's Alert Network (DAN). There really is no difference between the major associations, but SSI emphasizes safety more than the others from what I understand. As long as you learn the U.S. Navy dive tables

and keep your hands out of holes, you should be ok.

 

[gregghia]

Thanks fishkiller...
Any way to tell if a shop is a good quality or really professional. I am sure my gut will tell me if the instructors are good. But this isn't something I can go place to place to meet people at each shop, I am going to have to do it via phone or web research.
Any certain questions I should be asking? Also all the shops seem to charge $400-$500 roughly for total certification. Since they are all the same it seems reasonable... any tips?

 

[gregghia]

bump... got to be someone with advice...

 

[dragonzim]

Originally Posted by gregghia
Thanks fishkiller...
Any way to tell if a shop is a good quality or really professional. I am sure my gut will tell me if the instructors are good. But this isn't something I can go place to place to meet people at each shop, I am going to have to do it via phone or web research.
Any certain questions I should be asking? Also all the shops seem to charge $400-$500 roughly for total certification. Since they are all the same it seems reasonable... any tips?

What does that $400-$500 include? That seems pretty high unless it includes getting a mask fins and snorkel that you will need for the classes. When I got certified I paid $99 for the basic Open Water and then another $200 for the Advanced Open Water. I still had to buy my basic gear and pay for the boat dive for my Advanced checkout.

 

[autofreak44]

i think both certs are very similar except i would go with padi because there are clearly more padi rescources in your area, and i tend to find more padi dive info than naui

 

[ophiura]

I am NAUI certified. Basically, I took it over a semester and NAUI had more to learn to fill up that time...take what you will from that. I personally take it as a good sign

 

[drew2005]

Im taking SSI classes right now. $195 for a 5 week course open water diver. So far its very informative and they seem alot more safety minded.

 

[anmldr]

They classes usually go for around 300 or so without mask, fins, snorkel. Those run around 100 (for cheap end gear) to 300 (for high end gear).
I first went under YMCA (a long time ago) then went to PADI. My fiance just went through the PADI course about a month or two ago. Things I did in my beginner class they didn't do - like practicing entering the water besides the giant stride. There are some other things as well but I can't think of them at this time.
Safety is a big deal in scuba diving. You really should check out the dive shops and talk to the instructors if you can prior to paying the money to take dive classes.
Good luck - diving is the best hobby to have. It is like a whole different world and is so amazing to be able to see it personally instead of in pictures.

 

[gregghia]

Yeah I narrowed it down today. Going with place in Cary, NC. They charge average price but best yet they have custom schedule classes to fit me. $425 includes EVERYTHING. At home study material. Open water cert, 4 dives and gear to use. They do ask that you buy mask, fin, snorkle and booties. I figured as much. I can shop around fo those.
I realize now that there is not much difference with all the certs SSI, NAUI and PADI. You can even get cross certs if you want so I figured I'd start with PADI mainly because of classroom location.
SHOULD BE FUN!

 

[rara12]

NAUI is better thats all... HAHAHA really the only thing i know of is they have different dive tables. NAUI has an easier one IMO.

 

[dbutler213]

I have been certified diver since 1985, I am a SSI and NAUI instructor and have been a dive master on quite a few PADI classes, the bottom line, is you need to find a local store, and shop around if you can for your classes and gear, to get the best service.
When it comes to the difference with the organizations,it is in the core curricula, NAUI gives a huge amount of latitude to their instructors. A good example is dive tables; PADI only allows using PADI books and Materials, and PADI tables. NAUI instructors, can use any supplemental material they chose and most do. NAUL allows the instructor to teach the PADI, NAUI, and the US Navy Tables. As a NAUI instructor, I can use any current reference materials that I chose; with PADI I can only use PADI books or reference materials. This has both advantages and disadvantages for the store and instructor, your local Dive Shop or instructor, can make the best decision for there area and market.
Booth agencies have minimal standards that are very close, just a little different way to manage their instructors.
Also the bottom line for any professional instructor should never, put down or “dog” another store agency or instructor, The completion is not the other store or agency but other sports…. Talk bad about another sport not diving!

 

[deejeff442]

man you found an old post in this.i am curious...i have done years of training with my fire station on scba. of course it just leaves out the underwater word.since we suck smoke not water.anyway.i have never scuba dived and wondering how different it is.are the breathing units positive or negative?do they teach breathing techniques for the bottle to last longer?are the tanks high pressure or low? ours are either 2200psi or 4000 psi when filled.we now use carbon fiber tanks no more metal.