New "?" Regarding SSI and PADI

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 3:29 pm

Alright, quick thx, to everyone that responded to my last post. From the sounds of it, if I want to move some place that is tropical for a scuba job as an instructor or a dive master, I'll have to switch from SSI to PADI. Now I already have my certification and advance course finished and also currently signed up for a stress and rescue class through SSI. If I start training PADI, would I have to start from scratch.. or can I use the SSI as a stepping stone..?

Dmitchell · Post by **Dmitchell** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 3:36 pm

Nope. Finish the Rescue course and take a PADI Dm course. Not a problem.

Dave

dwashbur · Post by **dwashbur** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 3:45 pm

The "Big Three" agencies tend to recognize each other's C-cards. I got my OW and AOW through PADI and that was all I needed to do my Rescue and beyond with NAUI. Now, I'm liable to have a problem when I get back to Boise with my NAUI instructor credentials, because both shops there are PADI, but I'll jump off that bridge when I come to it. From what I gather, to cross over and be a PADI instructor I just have to take an exam. If that info is incorrect, I'll soon know

Zen Diver · Post by **Zen Diver** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 3:52 pm

dwashbur wrote: From what I gather, to cross over and be a PADI instructor I just have to take an exam. If that info is incorrect, I'll soon know

I'm not sure about crossing over, but having recently done the PADI Instructor Exam I can say it's much more than an exam. You have to do the Instructor Development Class (IDC) which is 5 full days with pool and OW work as well as academics. Succesful completion gives you permission to go on the Instructor Exam, which is 2 days of written tests, presentations, pool and OW work. I think for crossing over you have to do the full IDC as well as IE.

-Valerie

Dmitchell · Post by **Dmitchell** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:11 pm

Seems like you have to do at least 2 days of the IDC - The first 3 days are basically the AI course. Then you have to do the complete IE.

Dave

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:04 pm

Dmitchell wrote:Nope. Finish the Rescue course and take a PADI Dm course. Not a problem.

Dave

Fantastic, sounds like a plan

airsix · Post by **airsix** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:19 pm

dwashbur wrote:Now, I'm liable to have a problem when I get back to Boise with my NAUI instructor credentials, because both shops there are PADI, but I'll jump off that bridge when I come to it.

You could always convert them!

-Ben

Pinkpadigal · Post by **Pinkpadigal** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:18 pm

The PADI IDC is actually 7-8 days. It is 2 parts. The first half is the Assistant instructor course, typically 3-4 days. The last part is the OWSI portion, and it is 4 days. Per PADI standards, it is a minimum of 7 days.

As an instructor from another agency, you would have to only complete the OWSI portion, and take the theory and standards exam. Then, you would take the IE. A divemaster/dive con from any of the major agencies can take the PADI IDC, but they must complete the PADI divemaster rescue assessment.

Sorry if I sound like the instructor manual. I leave for IDC staff training next week...actually it is in Boise. I have been studying like crazy and it is making me sound like a drone.

Sounder · Post by **Sounder** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:55 am

I love NAUI. :rr:

Pez7378 · Post by **Pez7378** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:44 pm

Sounder wrote:I love NAUI. :rr:

dwashbur · Post by **dwashbur** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:24 pm

Pez7378 wrote:
Sounder wrote:I love NAUI. :rr:

Me 3.