When you finally decide to take the plunge and get your scuba diving classes [http://scubadiving-classes.blogspot.com/], you will have to choose which affiliate-class to take. In most of the world, you will come across classes that are affiliated with either NAUI or PADI. In this article, we explore the major differences between the two to hopefully make the decision easier.
NAUI is the National Association of Underwater Instructors and PADI is the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. Both agencies have their own system of training and certification, and classes affiliated with either of these organizations can be found virtually world-wide.
To start with, NAUI is a non-profit operation. In general, their scuba diving classes are harder to master and take a longer time to complete. NAUI supporters say that this method produces graduates that bring a better skill-set to the water.
PADI, on the other hand, operates for profit. Targeted towards leisure divers, their scuba diving classes are shorter and easier. Despite this, the lessons are definitely adequate for their market, leading to better popularity and making the agency the world's biggest.
In short, PADI classes are shorter and easier to complete while being present in more places around the world. They are also probably going to be relatively cheaper. NAUI students on the other hand go through longer and more difficult courses, and probably have to pay more as well, but they probably graduate with a greater set of underwater skills and are better prepared to move on into more advanced aspects of the activity.
The final choice is down to you, your budget, your location, and possibly your plans as to how much you want to get into it. Taking scuba diving classes from either should be fine, and in the end it is the diving instructor and your aptitude for the subject that will affect what sort of diver you will turn out to be.
NAUI is the National Association of Underwater Instructors and PADI is the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. Both agencies have their own system of training and certification, and classes affiliated with either of these organizations can be found virtually world-wide.
To start with, NAUI is a non-profit operation. In general, their scuba diving classes are harder to master and take a longer time to complete. NAUI supporters say that this method produces graduates that bring a better skill-set to the water.
PADI, on the other hand, operates for profit. Targeted towards leisure divers, their scuba diving classes are shorter and easier. Despite this, the lessons are definitely adequate for their market, leading to better popularity and making the agency the world's biggest.
In short, PADI classes are shorter and easier to complete while being present in more places around the world. They are also probably going to be relatively cheaper. NAUI students on the other hand go through longer and more difficult courses, and probably have to pay more as well, but they probably graduate with a greater set of underwater skills and are better prepared to move on into more advanced aspects of the activity.
The final choice is down to you, your budget, your location, and possibly your plans as to how much you want to get into it. Taking scuba diving classes from either should be fine, and in the end it is the diving instructor and your aptitude for the subject that will affect what sort of diver you will turn out to be.
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