Padi vs Nuai

Choosing a certification type, PADI vs. NAUI

The basic diving certification offered by PADI is Open Water Diver, and the basic certification offered by NAUI is Scuba Diver.  From what I can find online and discussions with several dive shops the two are considered equivalent courses and accepted by most dive shops and locations globally.

As I did more research I learned there are some differences. For example NAUI requires students to learn the basics of rescuing an unconscious diver where PADI does not. On the other hand PADI requires no mask underwater breathing which NAUI does not.

PADI instructors follow a fairly strict, regimented program when teaching their courses, while NAUI instructors are allowed to be more flexible and are encouraged to exceed standards. What this means to me is that NAUI has the potential to be more thorough but its instructor dependent. PADI however is likely more consistent regardless of instructor.

As a whole, it appears that the two certifications are more similar than they are different. Since as I learned PADI was started by a NAUI instructor (Ralph Erickson) with an equipment salesman (John Cronin) it makes sense that they are very similar. So given that they are similar how do you choose?

For me I selected PADI because I am a strong believer in referrals from people I know and trust. A co-worker of mine who is an avid diver suggested a particular dive shop she frequents and respects. Given that there are several closer options (literally across the street) and yet she still suggested a dive shop over an hour from where we live I took her advice and decided to check them out.

Resort Dive Left Me Hooked.

As a kid I grew up in the water. I was always swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and boating.  I have always been fascinated by what lurks below. For my birthday last year my friends signed me up for a resort dive during our vacation on Grand Bahama Island.

There aren't too many options on Grand Bahama but the folks at the Caribbean Divers at Bell Channel Inn were great.They are located in the Lucaya area of Grand Bahama Island. Our instructor Presley Knowles got us all outfitted with wetsuits, tanks, regulators, BCD, weights, etc. Before we could dive in the ocean we needed to demonstrate we could follow instructions and could learn the basic skills of diving.

We all got into the small salt water pool at the Bell Channel Inn with all our gear and learned how to clear a flooded mask, how to locate and clear our regulator if it should get dislodged, demonstrated we could swim. Pretty simple although I forgot to purge the regulator and swallowed a little water. After a successful pool training sessions we loaded all our gear on to the boat with the help of Presley's nephew Jerry, who would be guiding us at the dive site.

Once I entered the water with a big splash I immediately knew I was going to have a blast. By the end of the 45 minute dive and all boarding the boat for the ride home it was obvious we all enjoyed it enough that getting certified was definitely on the table.

You can read more about my first dive on my Day Zero Project entry. Scuba Diving: Grand Bahama