I’d like to chime in here....
To start off with- I work for a educational institution overseeing their scientific dive program. I really dont care who or where you get your training from as long as you don’t get hurt. I do not train individuals outside my program. This is not an advertisment for my shop or services.
Here is the real deal.
All certification bodies have similar standards that meet (some exceed) the RSTC (recreational scuba training council) guidelines/standards.
Just because an agency has more stringent standards, it doesn’t mean the instructor will follow them, enforce them, or even teach to them very well.
What every thing comes down to in the end is (drum roll please..... )
The Instructor & Instruction . Period.
I would suggest focusing your efforts on finding a good shop and instructor that dive the areas, modes, and profiles you want- rather than being as concerned with the agency that provides the certification CARD. Because that is all they are giving you. A card.
The certification agencies are more.... well- hate to say it- but- Publishers of training material and they house records- they don’t test you. They dont train you. They don’t work with you thru skills. They don’t make sure you end up dead or injured.
They write and produce the books and other required media that your instructor is going to work with you thru. They develop forms and tests. They make you a card. They hold your records. They place the bar at the same height for all to try and clear for each level. They TRY to make sure the instructors remain current/insured and TRY to enforce the instructors to follow standards, but they police individuals.
Yes - some agencies have more staff and respond quicker to requests, but hate to say it again your missing certification with the agency is probably more the fault of the instructor and not the agency itself. They can’t have a record of the certification - if the instructor didn’t send it in. Seen this about a million times.
Side note here- depending on the year you got certified, I think NASDS became SSI and there were problems with some records from really old certs (like my open water from 1979) but that can all be worked out- if that is the case. Don’t remember the years that it happened, just know that I ended up getting mine.
All that said- I am a PADI instructor. They do respond to my requests, make it pretty easy to every thing done on my side of things, and produce quality materials in solid teachable formats. They do pretty darn well at making sure their folks are current and have professional liability insurance.
If the shop you choose is a padi shop and the instructor puts in for the card you will always be able to get a replacement and can even have other dive shops or boat operators look it up on line.
Again -it comes down to final delivery and execution of the class and skills- the intention being that the diver will gain BASELINE experience with the specialty mode/s that are being trained for under direct supervision of a qualified & insured instructor. The old preventing death and injury thing again.
Think about it. If it weren’t about the actual instruction - we’d all just get certified on line!
Also remember- If your instructor or boat crew have provided you with good service- please tip them- and not only in 3 world countries. These folks don’t make much for their time and have your life in their hands. Not to metion- they are an extra set of hands and eyes for/on you. It is a lot of responsibility and much more work than you may expect.
Hope this helps.
Capt Chris