What should I consider before choosing a Sub-Aqua Certification Organisation? [closed]
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I recently suggested to my fiancé that we certify in Sub Aqua as a hobby. We have both ocean snorkeled and taken some preliminary swimming dives for fun.
When I suggested PADI, a close friend became alarmed and said that BSAC was a more reputable syllabus. I understand there are numerous certification bodies around the world.
I know that choosing a course of action questions are beyond the scope of SE but what should I consider or know before I pay money to a Sub-Aqua training provider?
Considerations
Asking in Travel rather than Sport was a deliberate choice due to the nature of the SE members in Travel.SE. Happy to have it moved if mods deem appropriate though.
Best Answer
If most of your diving is likely to be around the UK, then another consideration is BSAC originally developed their courses for our local cold, dark wreck-filled waters. BSAC also has (or at least had) an extensive club organisation with the associated social life, whereas PADI is all about the money. (Disclosure: Trained with a BSAC club many years ago. Good fun at the time too)
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Do BSAC qualifications expire?
BSAC certs don't have a time limit, you are still the grade and can dive abroad etc. Last shout I had was at 5am from a student who was in Australia with no cert at all. GUE certs expire after 3 years. There is a minimum requirement of av.Which scuba diving certification is best?
The 5 Best Scuba Diving Certification Programs of 2022- Best Overall: PADI. ...
- Runner-Up, Best Overall: SSI. ...
- Oldest Agency: NAUI. ...
- Best British Contingent: BSAC. ...
- Best for Future Tec Divers: SDI.
Which organization certifies the largest number of scuba divers?
Technical Diving International (TDI) is probably the largest technical diving certification agency in the world.Does PADI recognize BSAC?
The only place this can fall down when comparing BSAC vs PADI is that BSAC don't offer a course which PADI recognises as equivalent to their Rescue Diver Course. The PADI Rescue Diver Course is a prerequisite to the PADI Dive Master Course. If you were qualified as a BSAC.Scuba Diving Courses: The Diver Progression Explained
More answers regarding what should I consider before choosing a Sub-Aqua Certification Organisation? [closed]
Answer 2
It is not PADI or CMAS or whatever institute you should worry about, it is the number of dives a fellow diver made. I (CMAS) have had very bad dives with fellow CMAS divers and had very good and magnificent dives with PADI divers (v.v.)
In the end it is not the license institute that counts, but more the experience your instructor/fellow diver has. Both PADI and CMAS are professional institutes. So when in doubt don't ask for the organisation but ask for the logbooks of the instructor.
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