What is the best diving course? (BSAC, PADi)?

[padiidccdc]

I am considering taking up scuba diving but want to know what the best course is to take?


Gili Islands Indonesia

[padiidcgiliI]

This is something of a meaningless question these days, for the following reasons:

ALL entry level courses now have roughly the same structure, regardless of which agency is certifying you (BSAC,PADI, SSI, SDI, NAUI, etc.). You will learn basic dive skills with your instructor in a pool or pool-like environment, and cover basic dive theory by home study and/or classroom sessions/reviews. Finally you will do 4-5 'open water' dives where you show the instructor that you know how to put these skills into practice.

How the course is timetabled depends on the individual dive shop's policies. Dive training agencies specify only minimum course content and skill training order, NOT timetables. Nearly all agencies' courses can be done as intensive 4-5 day courses (full days, 7-8 hours), or spread out over a longer period (e.g. 1-2 evenings per week for 1-2 months). Don't let anyone tell you different.

Secondly, no one agency is 'safer' than any other. Very few diving accidents actually occur during basic training, and instructors/shops whose (in)actions result in death/injury to their students don't tend to stay in business very long. Once certified, all divers are responsible for their own safety, so the 'flavour' of their certification really becomes immaterial after that point.

Regardless of which agency affiliation(s) they hold, ALL dive instructors working in the UK are required to follow the 'Diving at Work' Health & Safety guidelines, adhere to the course standards specified by the relevant training agency (PADI take remedial/disciplinary action when breaches of standards come to their attention), and to hold professional liability insurance.



PADI IDC Indonesia