SSI & PADI

Two dive organisations and a few explanatory words:

Many beginners might not know the difference between SSI and PADI and therefore it might seem a little confusing. Therefore here are a few explanatory words about those two dive organisations.

• SSI - Scuba Schools International - also originated in the US and was for a long time more well known in the US and the Caribbean. By now this has changed and according to some statistics SSI has now become the most popular dive organisation in parts of Europe and the Red Sea. Younger and more enthusiastic dive instructors in particular like to teach this system because of it's more flexible course structure than PADI's.

  The SSI beginner course (Open Water) also takes four days and consists of theory, pool and open water dives. Afterwards you can continue with specialty courses to get more supervised experience.

   

• PADI - the abbreviation for the Professional Association of Dive Instructors - comes originally from the US and is a large dive organisation. PADI is widely distributed in particular in the American, Caribbean and Asia-Pacific regions, and many dive companies teach in line with PADI standards. Their dive certifications are recognised world-wide and incorporate both theory and practical modules, which are conducted in the classroom, pool and open water.

  The course duration for a PADI beginner course (Open Water Diver) is in general four days, and includes the whole classroom and pool education plus four open water dives. Afterwards we recommend that you do the Advanced Open Water Dive Course which gives the beginner the chance to get additional supervised experience such as night dives or deep dives. This course takes a further two days.

   

• Both systems are recognised world-wide and it is difficult to give a general recommendation, but all dive associations recognise each other and you can swop between training agencies and continue with further courses with little difficulty. But don't get confused with all these different possibilities because a good educational foundation is of course not dependent on the training agency, but on the individual dive instructor. Sea Bees Diving has a very experienced team of dive instructors who will guide you with any of these agencies from beginner through to dive instructor.