The Myths
- There are only one international certifications.
- One certification agency is more recognised than another.
- There is a big difference in the Open Water Courses between the agencies.
The Facts
- There are many International Certifications around the worlds - PADI, SSI, SDI, NAUI, RAID,BSAC, CMAS just to name a few.
- All of these agency recongnised each others certifications as equivalent.
- All Internationally recognised Certification meet the WRSTC Open Water Diver Standard. There is also an ISO Standard with the major training agencies have adopted.
- Training agencies do not teach dive courses. Dive Centres and their instructors do. Since 1969 PRO DIVE has been teaching Sydney how to dive, longer than anyone else.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have been told that if I wish to dive overseas, I would need a PADI Open Water Certification?
Any reputable dive operator, accepts many of the certifications that exist around the world. An example of this, is that if you have an SSI, or NAUI or SDI Openwater certification, and wish to continue training at a PADI Dive Centre, PADI recognise in there own standards they are the equivalent to the PADI Openwater course.
Is there a standard for what needs to be taught in a Open Water course?
Yes, there are currently two sets of standards;
So what the difference between all the agencies?
An agency may require some additional, optional skills to 'The Standards' to be completed as part of their certification training. There also may be some slight variations to the names and the way some skills are taught, however, regardless of what certification it is for, each diver must complete a set Standard skills to gain their qualification with that agency.
Can you upgrade an Open Water Certification?
Regardless of what agency is printed on an Open Water Certification card, it will allow you to dive to 18 metres. If you wish to upgrade your Openwater Certification, there are courses such as an Advanced Adventure course that can gain more skills and experience and give you a greater depth certification.