There are many courses and brands available for open water diving certification. There are many courses available. You have the option to become certified with SSI and PADI. It is best to wait several years if you are just starting scuba diving. After all, you will need it to dive.
PADI
PADI open water diving certification will allow you to have many options for your diving vacation. You can either dive in the local waters, or you could explore the great Barrier Reef or Belize Blue Hole. This certification costs anywhere from $350-$500, depending on where it is learned. For example, you can take private lessons for about three hours and then join a dive tour with a PADI instructor for the remainder of the trip.
SSI
SSI has the distinction of being the world's most widely recognized scuba certification body. Its philosophy is to train competent divers by providing ongoing education and rigorous training. There are many SSI certification choices. One option is SSI Autonomous Diver. This program offers the most complete introductory training. The course is also offered in a digital format. Get started by signing up for either the lifetime "diamond" or student package.
SSI eLearning
It is important to think about what you desire from your PADI or SSI open-water scuba certification. PADI courses are rigid and make it difficult for you to alter the pace of your learning. SSI certifications allow you to modify the course to fit your learning style and your time in water. This is especially useful if you plan to do the certification while traveling.
SSI Courses
PADI and SSI are very similar, but what is the difference? Both companies require you to purchase course materials in advance. PADI courses come as a printed book, while SSI courses can be accessed online. The difference lies in how you use the materials. PADI courses often have a longer curriculum, and may require more adventure divers than SSI. PADI courses often require more adventure diving than SSI, so make sure to familiarize yourself with all the options before choosing a training facility.
SSI classes
SSI's reputation for quality training materials is solid. SSI offers open water scuba training courses that can help you learn about diving and get a certification. The SSI Digital Training System allows you to log your dives and track your progress. You can also view your qualification status from the palm your hand.
Additional certifications for divers
You might wonder if any other open water scuba certifications match yours. Although there are many certification bodies and training agencies that can award diving qualifications, this table will give you a rough guide to help you find a comparable certification. These guides are based upon maximum air depth. Some grades can go deeper with additional training. Also, the maximum depth guides provided here are only for guidance and are not intended to be definitive.