Scuba diving certification is important if you intend to become a professional diver. There are many certifications available depending on your interests and budget. We have highlighted some of the most popular certification programs for beginners: PADI, SSI, NAUI, CMAS and more. Find the right one for you. These tips and tricks will help you select the right program for you.
PADI
PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), is a professional organization that offers training and membership. John Cronin, Ralph Erickson and Ralph Erickson founded the organization in 1966. The certification includes a range of training requirements including underwater navigation, scuba diving safety and dive operations. PADI teaches divers how safely and effectively to supervise a dive, and the nuances of underwater navigation.
Students will earn a rescue diver license after they have successfully completed the PADI openwater course. This requires five different dive courses with five distinct learning outcomes and skill sets. Two must take the Deep Dive Specialty Course, and one must complete the Underwater Navigation Specialty Course. The remaining three must be chosen from a list. Rescue diver certification is intended for those who wish to help in emergency situations underwater. Two to three days of training are required, including theory and two open-water dives.
SSI
A SSI certificate is a great option when deciding on the right certification. Both SSI and PADI courses require a certain level. PADI courses are more strict and require that students complete skills in a particular order. SSI, however, allows for more flexibility. They can continue learning until they master a skill they don't like. They can also get their certification while on vacation through SSI.
SSI offers digital courses so that you can log your dives quickly. Manuals can either be downloaded from the internet or obtained at a dive shop. SSI allows you to create an online profile and obtain an e certificate card. While the price of each course varies, in 2018, most courses were around 50 US dollars. The next step is to complete a dive training program.
NAUI
The National Association of Underwater Instructors is an association of certified instructors in scuba diving. Their primary goal is to offer education and standards for scuba divers around the world. The NAUI certification permits you to teach scuba dive to non-professionals and meets international dive safety standards. NAUI also offers training courses.
Al Tillman (a Scripps Institute of Oceanography peer) held the first NAUI training class in Los Angeles in 1959. He and another Scripps Institute Oceanographer granted provisional diving certifications in 1958. In 1960, the film "Sea Hunt" starring Lloyd Bridges generated great interest in scuba diving as a recreational activity. In 1960, the National Diving Patrol began to be established. Jacques-Yves Cousteau, its first president, was appointed. Today, NAUI training programs are used by the Navy SEALs, NASA, and Walt Disney Resorts worldwide.
CMAS
Divers from all continents should search for schools that offer CMAS certification. While there isn't a single list of certified dive schools, it is possible to search the internet for one. CMAS courses offer 5 days of dives and stress safety. CMAS certification can only be obtained if you are 16 years or older, have at least 25 dives, and have received a medical report from a licensed diving doctor. If you have an existing certification, you will need to take the SSI course.
If you have a qualification but not from another agency, you may be able to enroll in an equivalent course at another agency. You can refer to the table below if you have some experience with scuba diving. The table does not include all training agencies. You might need to start at the lower level if your CMAS 1 or 2 certification is required. This is why you should get advice from the new organization before making any decision.