Posted by TDI_2 on May 03, 2002 at 10:53:31:
In Reply to: my 10 cents posted by randy54 on April 24, 2002 at 06:20:09:
L.A. County Parks & Rec was The Original. Takes longer, but you will get your full money's worth.
L.A. County spawned YMCA Scuba.
YMCA Scuba spawned NAUI.
NAUI Spawned PADI and IANTD.
I don't know who spawned SSI or NASDS.
Those are most of your choices.
L.A. County is the oldest. YMCA and NAUI are in a close second place for thoroughness and similarity, depending on the store and on the instructor. They all take longer.
PADI is the quickest, plus with PADI you can do your pool and classroom here and go to a resort and do your ocean there. NAUI and SSI claim to have resorts too, but PADI has more.
Most people just pick any store that close to where they live. That is easiest for pool and classroom sessions. You don't have to go trapsing all over L.A. to get certified.
The average basic certification costs $200 plus gear. So start saving up your nickels.
Half usually goes to the store and half to the instructor, although no two stores are exactly alike. Those are loss leaders. They don't make money off you until you start buying gear. So don't look a gift horse in the mouth.