There are many courses and brands available for open water diving certification. Luckily, there are several options for this type of course. There are two options for getting certified: SSI or PADI. You should wait until you're more experienced in scuba diving before you purchase scuba gear. This is because you will be diving with it.
PADI
You'll be able to choose from a wide range of diving options once you have earned your PADI open water certification. You can dive in the water of your local city or explore natural areas like the Belize Blue Hole, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, and the Belize Blue Hole. This certification costs anywhere from $350-$500, depending on where it is learned. A private lesson can last approximately three hours. After that, you can join a PADI instructor and go on a dive with the instructor for the remaining time.
SSI
SSI has the distinction of being the world's most widely recognized scuba certification body. Its philosophy is to create capable divers through rigorous training and ongoing educational programs. There are many SSI certification options. One option is SSI Autonomous Diver. This program offers the most complete introductory training. You can also take the course online. Sign up now for the free student package and the lifetime "diamond” package to get started.
SSI eLearning
It is important to think about what you desire from your PADI or SSI open-water scuba certification. PADI courses follow a rigid curriculum that makes it difficult to change the pace of your study. SSI courses make it possible to customize the course to meet your needs.
SSI courses
PADI & SSI may have a lot to share, but how are they different? Both companies require that you order course materials in advance. PADI courses come in a paper book format, while SSI courses are online. The difference lies in the materials. PADI courses are more detailed and often require more adventure diving than SSI. PADI courses also require more adventure dives than SSI courses, so you need to make sure that you're comfortable with the different options before choosing a training center.
SSI classes
SSI is known for its high quality training materials. SSI offers open water scuba training courses that can help you learn about diving and get a certification. The SSI Digital Training System includes apps that allow you to log your dives, track your progress, and view your qualifications from the palm of your hand.
Other certifications in scuba diving
You might wonder if any other open water scuba certifications match yours. While there are many agencies and bodies that give diving certifications, the following table provides a rough guideline for those looking to get a similar certification. Note that these guides are based on maximum air depth, and some grades may go deeper with additional training. The maximum depth guides listed here are only indicative and not definitive.