Understanding Diving Organizations & Diving Certifications | Full Guide
When trying to understand the complex world of scuba diving organizations and their certifications levels, it can become confusing.
In this article, I will lay out clearly for you all the details in a fully comprehensive guide so you can:
- Get familiar with the different diving organizations out there
- Understand better your diving certification and what it means in terms of skills
- Have a good understanding of the certification equivalencies between organizations
The different Diving Organizations and their history
CMAS: One name to unite them all
While there are dozens of diving organizations worldwide, most of them are under the umbrella of CMAS the (Confederation Mondiale des Activité Subaquatique), this includes most of the national federations of each country like France (FFESSM), Italy (FIAS) or the Underwater Society of America in the US.
The institution was formally created in 1959 by a gathering of national federations including the ones stated above and a few others, who elected the famous french diving pioneer and explorer Jacque-Yves Cousteau as their 1st president.
With more over 130 affiliated organizations in 94 countries across five continents and over 3 million active members, CMAS remains the main regulator for most underwater activities.
PADI: The biggest player in the game
The Professional Association of Diving Instructor (PADI) was founded in 1966 by John Cronin and Ralph Erickson.
Their idea was to breakdown the traditional training programs offered by NAUI in smaller levels and modules to allow recreational scuba divers to learn gradually and attract more people to the world of scuba diving.
This new philosophy of learning was a real disruption to the way scuba diving was taught.
A true pedagogical war machine, PADI standardized all its courses with learning material translated in basically all languages and leaves very little space for improvisation from instructors. This ensures the uniformity of PADI diver’s skills around the world and allows the company to scale and maintain its reputation more easily.
Their method became a worldwide success with PADI now being by far the most represented organization globally with over 27 million certifications issued since its creation and 6 600 dive centres scattered across the globe.
SSI: Never mind being second. we are different!
In 1970, Robert Clarke created The Scuba School International as an alternative to NAUI and PADI.
Since then, they have created an impressive network across the globe with more than 2 800 authorised diver centres in 110 countries and 35 offices worldwide. They offer an extensive list of diving certifications matching the international standards set by ISO and the WRSTC.
Their teaching philosophy relies on what they call “Comfort Through Repetition”, which is a method focusing on repeating skills over and over until they become automatical. In addition to this practical aspect, SSI developed an extended learning environment composed of digital resources and applications allowing you to practice and learn with great flexibility.
They differentiate themselves from PADI by allowing greater flexibility to their instructor, who can adapt the courses’ content to the situation more freely. However, they only allow their instructor to work in SSI affiliated dive centres which can be a bit of a struggle if you decide to make scuba diving your career down the line.
NAUI: The US scuba diving pioneers
The National Association of Underwater Instructors traces its history back to 1955 when Bev Morgan, Al Tilman & Conrad Limbaugh created the first Underwater Instructor Certification Course which laid the foundation to the first diving training agency led by civilians.
In 1960 the same group of people joined by a few other early pioneers of Scuba Diving introduced the National Association of Underwater Instructor to diving passionate with the first NAUI stamped instructor course in Houston with 72 candidates.
Since its creation, NAUI became a leading institution recognised worldwide for their teaching standards, which inspired many organizations including PADI whose founding member was a NAUI instructor.
One of their main characteristics is their focus on teaching rescue skills early on. With for example exercises on how to save an unconscious diver. They also require students to learn how to skin dive.
This added focus on rescue and safety made it the go-to choice for the US military which uses their training programs.
While NAUI has a far fewer dive centres affiliated across the world than the previous ones in our list, the quality training standards they offer make it easy to be recognised worldwide for both recreational and professional diving.
SDI: Learn diving from the tech diving specialist
Scuba Diving International is the sister organization of TDI (Technical Diving International) and was created in 1998 to expand TDI’s activities from the purely Tech Diving world.
Coming from a background of pure tech and “serious” diving, SDI brings to the table a solid badass reputation. Their teaching methods are focused on training their students in using the latest tools & technology available. For instance, they require the use of dive computers even at the very first entry-level course while many other organisations will only require a basic understanding of it and leave the dive leader in charge of monitoring the parameter of the dive.
They are also famous for being the first to offer a specific course to learn how to dive alone (Solo Diver), breaking the first rule every recreational diver ever heard. This, of course, is reserved for experienced divers with more than a hundred logged dives.
Combined with TDI for the tech diving courses and ERDI for commercial diving, the group became in a relatively short period a reference and leader in the competitive world of scuba diving organisations, with 26 offices globally and a network of dive centers in more than 100 countries.
BSAC: Diving the British way since 1953
The British Sub Aqua Club was founded in 1953 but launched its first instructor training course in 1960 around the same time as NAUI and CMAS. Since then it became a reference worldwide for its standard of training built to fit the infamous British weather and more demanding diving conditions. It is the official national governing body for the practice of scuba diving in the UK and is even presided over by the Prince Willam himself.
From the entry-level, divers are taught a much more comprehensive training against cold temperature and low visibility, learning how to deal with the risks cold and challenging conditions can have before, during and after the dive.
Like CMAS and NAUI, BSAC is a non-profit organization which promotes an associative and non-commercial conception of scuba diving. This mindset attracts many UK based divers who prefer this club lifestyle and community mindset to the more customers/company relationships found at PADI or SSI.
For-Profit vs Non-Profit – A Different philosophy
When looking at the different diving organizations and their course catalogue, something jumps straight to mind.
Some like PADI or SSI offer a long list of speciality courses which, in some cases, are mandatory to pass on to the next level, while CMAS for example or NAUI offer a smaller number of courses.
Of course, both NAUI & SSI teach its divers about altitude diving’s specificities or how to master your buoyancy.
But then why did SSI decide to create separate courses to teach you these skills while NAUI simply includes it in your Advanced Open Water course?
A different diving philosophy & teaching methods
The first reasons bring us back to the philosophy introduced by PADI in the late ’60s.
Scuba Diving was then taught as a complex discipline involving a lot of theoretical knowledge, a deep understanding of physiology and the mechanics of both the human body and newly invented gear.
Diving was not easy to get into, definitely not enough to master during your yearly vacation week with the kids.
I remember my father explaining how many pools dives he did back in the days and how much theory he knew before even setting foot on a diving boat. And boom! First dive at 30m on a wreck in the open sea.
And that’s where PADI innovated. By decomposing the learning process into smaller modules and restricting recreational diving practice to a no-decompression depth and time, they were able to open scuba diving to the larger audience.
Suddenly, you were able to enjoy the splendour of the underwater world safely, with a few days of practice and basic knowledge of the theory. This new conception of diving, coupled with the explosion of tourism and long haul flights, allowed for the industry’s rapid growth.
More courses = More money
The second reason is, of course, profitability. Being a for-profit organization matches particularly well with the subdivisions of the learning material.
It makes perfect business sense to provide easy & safe access to scuba diving to everyone and add revenue by gradually increasing your members’ skills.
It also allows for shorter, more customised training fitting every goal and ambitions of each diver. Do you live in a region with amazing wrecks at around 30-40m deep? Are you only diving with your instructor friends? Let’s give you a wreck and deep dive course and let’s keep the other things for later.
While this is a great way to learn pedagogically, it can make the non-profit organizations (who still promote a more “universal knowledge” type of teaching) raise their eyebrows.
And it tends to become a nightmare when establishing a unified scale to evaluate skill levels and create equivalencies between organizations.
Diving Certification Levels – What types of skills?
To make sense of all the diving certifications out there and try to establish a reference system for equivalency we can refer to the standardisation bodies like the International Organization for Standardisation, (ISO), who developed three qualification levels.
These norms have been established by teams of international experts and are now used as a reference by all major organizations.
Their conclusion was that scuba diving levels and competencies could be divided into three main skill sets.
The first is being able to dive safely while being entirely supervised and in a no decompression environment.
The second is to dive without supervision in a no decompression environment with divers of your level or higher.
And the third is being able to lead & guide safely divers with less experience in a wide range of conditions.
Below are the details of the content for each of these certifications:
ISO 24801-1: The Supervised Diver
PADI Scuba Diver, SSI Scuba Diver, NAUI Passport Diver, SDI Supervised Diver
PADI vs SSI: 8 Key Differences and How to Choose the Right Diving Certification
If you’re reading this article you’re likely to have arrived at the crossroads dreaded by most aspiring scuba divers: choosing the most suitable diving certification. Today, we’re diving deep into the world of scuba diving certifications and comparing two of the biggest players in the game: PADI and SSI.
PADI and SSI are both internationally renowned organizations that provide various degrees of professional diving certifications for qualified divers. These diving training agencies train the divers to follow international diving standards and handle worst-case scenarios.
Table of Contents
- 1 A Brief Introduction to Padi and SSI
- 1.1 PADI
- 1.2 SSI
- 2.1 1. International Recognition
- 2.2 2. Equivalent Certification Levels
- 2.3 3. E-Learning Options
- 2.4 4. Experienced Instructors
- 2.5 5. Dive Log
- 2.6 6. Additional Specialty Courses
- 3.1 1. Curriculum Structure
- 3.2 2. Certification
- 3.3 3. Course Resources
- 3.4 4. Instructors
- 3.5 5. Costs
- 3.6 6. Training Efficiency
- 3.7 7. Time Commitment
- 3.8 8. Diving Philosophy
A Brief Introduction to Padi and SSI
PADI
- PADI is the acronym for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.
- It has been in the diving training industry for over 50 years.
- It mainly focuses on recreational diver training.
SSI
- SSI is the abbreviation of Scuba Schools International.
- It has been in the scuba diving and free diving training industry since 1970.
- It is the first organization to create a complete teaching course curriculum.
Padi and Ssi Are Similar in More Ways than You Think
When it comes to scuba diving certification programs, PADI and SSI have a lot in common. Here are some of how these two programs are similar:
1. International Recognition
Both PADI and SSI are internationally recognized scuba diving certification programs, monitored by WRSTC. This means that you can take your certification from either program and use it to dive anywhere in the world. However, PADI has a slight upper edge in terms of popularity compared to SSI.
2. Equivalent Certification Levels
Multiple equivalent courses based on difficulty are present at both PADI and SSI. The certification levels include beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Additionally, both programs offer specialty courses that allow you to focus on specific areas of scuba diving.
Here’s a table of equivalent certification levels at PADI and SSI:
PADI Certification
PADI offers both physical and digital certification cards, but they charge a fee for downloading the digital version. While the physical card is mailed to the student’s address, the digital card provides a convenient option for accessing their certification without having to wait for the physical card to arrive.
SSI Certification
SSI offers a free digital certification card that can be immediately downloaded from their application. This provides students with quick and easy access to their certification and allows them to begin diving right away.
The physical card will also be sent to the student’s address, which they can use for identification purposes while diving.
3. Course Resources
While the course materials of both PADI and SSI are structurally identical, they differ mostly on the grounds of cost and availability.
PADI Online Resources
PADI online course materials are not available for free. Their online learning database is accessible for up to one year from the day of sign-up after you buy access to their online resources. This means that students have a limited amount of time to complete their coursework and access the learning materials provided by PADI.
SSI Course Materials
In contrast, SSI offers unlimited access to its app-based learning platform at no extra cost. This means that students can use their coursework and learning materials at any time, and their own pace. This is extremely convenient for those of us who have a busy schedule or other commitments that make it difficult to have consistent dedication toward our diving course.
Thus, SSI offers more convenience when it comes to e-learning which too free of charge.
4. Instructors
PADI Instructors Are Bound By Rigidity
PADI has a standardized teaching system that ensures all instructors must stick to the prescribed course material. Instructors are not allowed individual flexibility while teaching at PADI. While this kind of concise approach keeps the course duration optimal, it also makes students miss out on a lot of personal insights from experienced instructors.
PADI-certified instructors can work independently in any part of the world without an affiliation with any dive center.
SSI Instructors Have More Personal Liberty
SSI, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of personalized instruction and encourages instructors to adapt their teaching methods to suit the needs of individual students. This offers room for a more efficient and effective learning experience for students.
SSI-certified instructors need mandatory affiliation to the SSI dive center to function.
5. Costs
When it comes to the costs of certification, there are some notable differences between PADI and SSI.
PADI Is More Costly in General
PADI offers payment-based online courses, which means that students have to pay for the course regardless of whether they take it offline or online. The cost of PADI’s open water course is also generally higher than SSI’s.
SSI Is More Economic
On the other hand, SSI’s online certification course is free and app-based, making it more accessible to those who want to learn how to dive without having to invest a significant amount of money upfront.
Besides, the certifications at SSI are generally cheaper than their PADI counterparts while offering the same level of professional training. Scuba diving can quickly become an expensive hobby if your spending habits are left unchecked, so it helps to efficiently cut costs wherever possible.
6. Training Efficiency
PADI and SSI are quite different in their approach to teaching methodologies.
PADI Training Efficiency
PADI’s training materials are designed to be user-friendly and easy to understand, making it easier for students to absorb the information they need to become safe and competent divers.
PADI training program also involves a rigid linear approach where divers have to complete each step to proceed to the next in PADI training.
For example, the PADI Open Water Diver Course is broken down into five phases, which cover topics such as dive theory, equipment, and skills training. Each module has specific learning objectives and performance requirements that must be met before moving on to the next module.
SSI Training Efficiency
SSI, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of personalized instruction and encourages instructors to adapt their teaching methods to suit the needs of individual students. This can result in a more efficient and effective learning experience for students who may have different learning styles or abilities.
SSI also takes a non-linear and modular approach in their training methodology which lets the divers shelf a skill or level if they struggle with it and allow them to complete it later in training. This SSI approach enables the divers to gain confidence naturally and effectively.
7. Time Commitment
Both PADI and SSI offer courses with varying time commitments.
PADI Time Commitment
PADI offers a variety of courses that range in duration from a few hours to several weeks. For example, the Open Water Diver Course can take 3 to 4 days to complete.
SSI Time Commitment
SSI also offers courses with varying time commitments. Their Open Water Diver Course, for example, typically takes 4 to 5 days to complete. However, they also offer a Fast-Track Open Water Diver Course that can be completed in as little as 2 days.
8. Diving Philosophy
Both PADI and SSI have slightly different approaches to scuba diving philosophy.
PADI Diving Philosophy
PADI’s approach to scuba diving is centered around the principle of “learn, practice, apply.” PADI courses prioritize developing practical diving skills through hands-on experience and less theoretical jargon, with a strong emphasis on safety and environmental awareness.
This approach may be most suitable for divers who are quick learners and prefer a more flexible and adaptable learning experience, with an emphasis on practical application rather than a rigid structure.
SSI Diving Philosophy
SSI’s approach to scuba diving is based on the principle of “comfort through rote learning.” SSI courses focus on developing practical skills through repetition, with a strong emphasis on building confidence and familiarity with diving equipment and techniques.
If you’re someone who likes to take things at a steady pace and build your knowledge and abilities through consistent practice and retention, then SSI’s way of teaching may be a great fit for you.
PADI and SSI Certifications Are Interchangeable and Reciprocable
Here’s some good news, you can switch (back and forth even if you want) between PADI and SSI for your certifications as you advance in your diving journey! How cool is that?
If you get your initial open water certification with PADI, you shouldn’t have any problem taking an advanced course with SSI later on. And vice versa – start with SSI and then go PADI. The two organizations have an agreement that lets you mix and match their courses.
So if you’re thinking, “Uh oh, I’m stuck with PADI/SSI forever…” don’t worry! You’ve got options. As you progress into more specialized dive training, you can shop around for courses based on convenience, fit, or even cost.
My advice is to verify the crossover rules with your instructor first, just to be 100% sure. But in general, it seems you can switch teams easily between PADI and SSI. Freedom and flexibility – that’s the diving life!
So Should You Get a PADI or SSI Certification After All?
So, all in all, which certification is right for you: PADI or SSI? Well, that decision boils down to your personal choice.
Both PADI and SSI offer world-class training and top-quality certification for professional divers. The governing body of free diving and scuba diving, the WRSTC (World Recreational Scuba Training Council), regulates and monitors both certifications. So, there is no upper hand for anyone in the quality of training.
However, SSI possesses a slight edge due to the low expense and flexible learning plan. You can use the free SSI app for learning and downloading the certification card. The course curriculum is flexible to match each diver’s learning curve so that the students will experience a comfortable learning process.
If cost is not a concern for you and you look forward to working as an independent diving instructor or want to learn advanced diving, PADI is your best option.
I received my main chain of certifications right from OW to Divemaster as well as my specialty certifications from PADI but had my fair share of test certifications from SSI and NAUI too (burnt a hole in my wallet to quench my curiosity) and my final verdict is: Being an appraiser of rigorous discipline I liked the stricter approach of PADI over SSI.
At the end of the day (or should I say ‘end of the course’) what you need is a professional certification that attests to your scuba diving abilities and lets you take a plunge with confidence.
William Dupre
Retired Master Diver with 20+ years of experience and 2100+ logged dives. Presently, spending my time blogging about Diving and checking off locations one by one from my bucket list of dive destinations.
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