Other Considerations

There are a few things to remember when choosing an instructor.  To help those of you who are new the link below is for How To Choose a Scuba Instructor, which includes, more resources and references to information that may help you.

Additional information you may consider when choosing an instructor.

The following is a list of comparisons of the most popular certifying agencies. We hope this will help you answer a few common questions and further assist you with selecting the right instructor.

Students will learn the benefits of getting certified to dive via an independent scuba or dive instructor compared to get certified via a shop instructor.

Comparison #1 First scuba certification level & max depth
PADI Open Water Diver – 18 metres (60 feet)
SSI Open Water Diver – 18 metres (60 feet)
NAUI Scuba Diver – 18 metres (60 feet)
BSAC Ocean Diver – 20 metres (67 feet)

Comparison #2 Second scuba certification level & max depth
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver – 30 metres (100 feet)
SSI Advanced Open Water Diver – Depth varies depending on age and number of dives
NAUI Advanced Scuba Diver – 40 metres (130 feet)
BSAC Sports Diver – 35 metres (115 feet)

Comparison #3 Minimum age
PADI   10 and up max depth until age 15 – 12 metres (40 feet) – the Junior Open Water Diver certification
SSI       8  yrs old max depth 5 metres (16 feet) and up (max depth to age 15 – 12 metres (40 feet); – the Scuba Rangers
NAUI  10 and up max depth until age 15 12 metres (40 feet) – the Junior Scuba Diver
BSAC 12 and up

Comparison #4 Maximum recreational dive depth
PADI   40 metres (130 feet) with Deep Diver specialty course
SSI   100 metres (330 feet) as a SSI Hypoxic Trimix Instructor
NAUI  40 metres (130 feet)
BSAC Advanced to the depth they are comfortable with using appropriate gas and equipment

Comparison #5 Other dive certifications available
PADI    Rescue Diver; Master Diver; Divemaster
SSI      Advanced Adventurer, Boat Diving, Search & Recovery, Enriched Air Nitrox
NAUI   Scuba Rescue Diver; Master Scuba Diver; Divemaster
BSAC  Dive Leader, Advanced Diver

Comparison #6 Dive centers and resorts
PADI   6,500 worldwide
SSI     2,800 worldwide
NAUI  worldwide
BSAC 1,100 local independent dive clubs + 400 diving schools worldwide

Comparison #7 How long is my certification good for?
PADI   Lifetime – but you may need a refresher course if you’ve not dived in a while
SSI     Lifetime – but you may need a refresher course if you’ve not dived in a while
NAUI  Lifetime – but you may need a refresher course if you’ve not dived in a while
BSAC Lifetime – but you may need a refresher course if you’ve not dived in a while

Comparison #8 Max age limit
PADI    None – but is dependent on individual health
SSI      None – but is dependent on individual health
NAUI   None – but is dependent on individual health
BSAC  None – but is dependent on individual health

Comparison #9 Famous divers
PADI    Sandra Bullock, Tom Cruise, James Cameron, Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson are all famous PADI divers
SSI      None on record
NAUI   Kevin Costner, Lou Gossett Jr., Cameron Diaz; & Tiger Woods are all famous NAUI divers + Jacques Cousteau was on the Board of Advisers
BSAC Arthur C. Clarke, Prince William (Duke of Cambridge), Price Charles (+ his father Phillip), Prince Harry, Sir David Attenborough

Comparison #10 Size and nature of diving organization
PADI    Largest in the world and is a ‘For Profit’ organization
SSI      The world’s largest store based training agency
NAUI    Second largest in the world and is a ‘Not For Profit’ organization
BSAC   A ‘Not For Profit’ diving organisation and recognised worldwide.