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The question is are u comfortable diving? You are certified by PADI the most recognized scuba organization in the world.
Keep in mind that this is coming from a NAUI instructor.
Sounds like this person does not want your business.
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RUN! He’s next going to tell you that other dive shop sold junk and you need to buy all new gear from him :(
The open water course is basically the same, what instructor you had is more important than who’s card they issue.
The NITROX,EAN course is all math for PADI, NAUI, SSI, etc. The law of physics doesn’t change!
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I have to agree with Lat. Turn around and don’t do business with them. Also report the instructor to NAUI.
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From Eric_R: Also report the instructor to NAUI
Sam, are you going to Beneath the Sea the 1st weekend of April? beneaththesea.org/ NAUI will be there along with hundreds of booths you can get info from and free classes. I assume you are a DAN member, go to their website for a discount entry coupon. Bring return address labels, there are lots of drawings and mailing list you’ll want to get on
Dive clubs will be in the 100 isle, a great source for dive buddies and local diving.
I’ll be there Friday and Saturday working in or around the Exibitors Services booth at the back of the 800 isle, stop by and say Hello
Saturday night after the show and before the film festival a group from Dive Buddy usually get together for dinner, usually at Outback.
While I have your attention, this summer when the waters warm up a group of us (With both PADI and NAUI cards) dive Shark River in NJ looking for sea horses. divebuddy.com/divesite/5724/maclearie-park-shark-river-belmar-nj/
It’s an easy dive and a good intro to shore diving and what you can find in limited viz plus it’s warm enough for a 3 mil. Ray
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It cannot be stressed enough what LAT and Eric said. That guy is trying to rip you off and take your money. Run as far away from that shop as you can. For future reference: Most certifying agencies (NAUI, PADI, SDI/TDI) accept the certs of other agencies. Meaning, if you get PADI OW certified and move somewhere that is NAUI or SDI, they will recognize the PADI OW and help you get into AOW WITHOUT having to recertify as Open Water. That crap your shop is trying is nothing but a scam. You could do others a favor by posting the name of the shop and instructor.
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My wife was hit in the head by an al80 when one of the DM’s in her OW course didn’t practice what they preach. Now she is afraid of being around when divers gear up and never went back to that shop. I was out of the country on a dive trip and had an alibi :) Blue Heron Bridge Scuba was telling me yesterday that with them if you don’t finish the course you get a refund.
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As was said above, the certifications are cross-accepted by other agencies up to I believe Divemaster or Assistant Instructor. So no re-doing OW or AOW! I am AOW with Nitrox and dive with NAUI-certified people and the difference in skill is not based on the certification agency but how much people dive and if they are thinking about what they are doing and how they can improve. If anything, the quality of the instructor is more important than the certification agency. But they all give you good basics and then it is up to you to dive frequently and self-improve.
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I agree with the other posters. That guy is full of it. Definitely don’t take lessons from him.
PADI, NAUI and SSI all have similar requirements for their divers and you will learn the skills that will help you to become safe and confident.
Rather than focusing on the agency, focus on the dive instructor and whether or not he/she is competent. If you think you have found a good role model and a good mentor in someone, take their class regardless of which agency certified them.
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When I did my OWC dives, my partner was a NAUI transfer guy from the local college. He had done his pool and classes through NAUI at the college but was being certified by my instructor who was SSI (not sure on all the details). Anyways, this guy was the absolute worst diver I’ve ever seen. During OWC he failed to turn on his tank before a giant stride into the water, he flailed like a fish when mask clearing, he could control buoyancy and was constantly silting it up. I tell you this because I also have friends who are NAUI and are some of the best divers around. Moral of the story, Certifying agency doesn’t matter, what matters is the instructor and unless you can’t figure out the difference in your first and second stage. Theres no reason to recertify.
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Hi everyone! Just wanted to let everyone know that I have decided not to take the course! I really appreciate everyone’s feedback! I am so glad that I joined this site and everyone is very willing o help or point me in the right direction!
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I am a PADI DM, know nothing about the NAUI course. Not saying PADI is better, that is just what my local shop teaches so that’s what I took. Instructors were great and taught me a lot. Got all 4 of my certs there and they were very thorough. Not knocking something I don’t know about, but I am curious. What questions did this guy ask that made him determine that you weren’t trained well enough and that his course was better?
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Not really sure. Guess it was the fact I was trained in PADI. I am very eager to learn and I guess because I am so eager to learn he saw me coming!
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