PADI or UK Certified?

"Nick Eden" <null@localhost.com> wrote in message
news:tfeb51paikingjveiq5ouccr6lrlj7i95f@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 7 Apr 2005 20:10:19 +0100, "MikeUK" <mike@uk.com> wrote:
>
>>In UK I notice there are a lot of PADI courses and a UK type
>>certification,
>>I wish to learn but able to use abroad in Thailand etc, most places seem
>>to
>>accept PADI but not the UK, is the PADI transferable to go with UK
>>certified
>>diving clubs?
>>
>
> I've never encountered anyone, in Thailand or anywhere else, that
> doesn't recognise BSAC qualifications, so I think in the first place
> you're worrying about nothing.
>
> However, to answer the question, there's a scheme called SALT by which
> BSAC recognises other people's qualifications. See
> http://www.bsac.org/techserv/salt3.htm
> -------------------------------------
> York BSAC Web Page:
> http://website.lineone.net/~york_bsac

Which ever way i say this its going to upset someone.
If you want to get in the water and "dive" go for PADI.In general "resort"
diving you will have less grief.Also this route will get you in the water
quicker.
BSAC qualifications are more in depth(excuse the pun) and do equate to ,and
exceed the requirements of similar level PADI.
Then there is the rest of the arguement that is bound to follow.
My advice--do a PADI open water course---if you enjoy the experience,keep
doing it and re qualify BSAC to improve your skills.The basic difference is
PADI is designed to get holiday divers wet with a margin of saftey,BSAC you
learn what saftey is.
Can of worms open now----oops didnt mention the tek divers

"Nick Eden" <null@localhost.com> wrote in message
news:tfeb51paikingjveiq5ouccr6lrlj7i95f@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 7 Apr 2005 20:10:19 +0100, "MikeUK" <mike@uk.com> wrote:
>
>>In UK I notice there are a lot of PADI courses and a UK type
>>certification,
>>I wish to learn but able to use abroad in Thailand etc, most places seem
>>to
>>accept PADI but not the UK, is the PADI transferable to go with UK
>>certified
>>diving clubs?
>>
>
> I've never encountered anyone, in Thailand or anywhere else, that
> doesn't recognise BSAC qualifications, so I think in the first place
> you're worrying about nothing.
>
> However, to answer the question, there's a scheme called SALT by which
> BSAC recognises other people's qualifications. See
> http://www.bsac.org/techserv/salt3.htm
> -------------------------------------
> York BSAC Web Page:
> http://website.lineone.net/~york_bsac

Which ever way i say this its going to upset someone.
If you want to get in the water and "dive" go for PADI.In general "resort"
diving you will have less grief.Also this route will get you in the water
quicker.
BSAC qualifications are more in depth(excuse the pun) and do equate to ,and
exceed the requirements of similar level PADI.
Then there is the rest of the arguement that is bound to follow.
My advice--do a PADI open water course---if you enjoy the experience,keep
doing it and re qualify BSAC to improve your skills.The basic difference is
PADI is designed to get holiday divers wet with a margin of saftey,BSAC you
learn what saftey is.
Can of worms open now----oops didnt mention the tek divers

MikeUK <mike@uk.com> wrote:

> In UK I notice there are a lot of PADI courses and a UK type certification,
> I wish to learn but able to use abroad in Thailand etc, most places seem to
> accept PADI but not the UK, is the PADI transferable to go with UK certified
> diving clubs?

These days transferability is not a problem. OK some places in the
back of beyond might have to find the book to look up what a UK
qualification is equivalent too and some UK places might look at
a tropical PADI certification and wonder if less than 2 meters
of vis and a tide running will freak you but they all will have
procedures to cope with you.

To be brutal very few places will turn away a paying customer
however if you do a UK qualification pay the extra and get a card
as, overseas, most places expect a card not a record book.

nigelH

MikeUK <mike@uk.com> wrote:

> In UK I notice there are a lot of PADI courses and a UK type certification,
> I wish to learn but able to use abroad in Thailand etc, most places seem to
> accept PADI but not the UK, is the PADI transferable to go with UK certified
> diving clubs?

These days transferability is not a problem. OK some places in the
back of beyond might have to find the book to look up what a UK
qualification is equivalent too and some UK places might look at
a tropical PADI certification and wonder if less than 2 meters
of vis and a tide running will freak you but they all will have
procedures to cope with you.

To be brutal very few places will turn away a paying customer
however if you do a UK qualification pay the extra and get a card
as, overseas, most places expect a card not a record book.

nigelH

MikeUK <mike@uk.com> wrote:

> In UK I notice there are a lot of PADI courses and a UK type certification,
> I wish to learn but able to use abroad in Thailand etc, most places seem to
> accept PADI but not the UK, is the PADI transferable to go with UK certified
> diving clubs?

These days transferability is not a problem. OK some places in the
back of beyond might have to find the book to look up what a UK
qualification is equivalent too and some UK places might look at
a tropical PADI certification and wonder if less than 2 meters
of vis and a tide running will freak you but they all will have
procedures to cope with you.

To be brutal very few places will turn away a paying customer
however if you do a UK qualification pay the extra and get a card
as, overseas, most places expect a card not a record book.

nigelH

MikeUK <mike@uk.com> wrote:

> In UK I notice there are a lot of PADI courses and a UK type certification,
> I wish to learn but able to use abroad in Thailand etc, most places seem to
> accept PADI but not the UK, is the PADI transferable to go with UK certified
> diving clubs?

These days transferability is not a problem. OK some places in the
back of beyond might have to find the book to look up what a UK
qualification is equivalent too and some UK places might look at
a tropical PADI certification and wonder if less than 2 meters
of vis and a tide running will freak you but they all will have
procedures to cope with you.

To be brutal very few places will turn away a paying customer
however if you do a UK qualification pay the extra and get a card
as, overseas, most places expect a card not a record book.

nigelH

MikeUK <mike@uk.com> wrote:

> In UK I notice there are a lot of PADI courses and a UK type certification,
> I wish to learn but able to use abroad in Thailand etc, most places seem to
> accept PADI but not the UK, is the PADI transferable to go with UK certified
> diving clubs?

These days transferability is not a problem. OK some places in the
back of beyond might have to find the book to look up what a UK
qualification is equivalent too and some UK places might look at
a tropical PADI certification and wonder if less than 2 meters
of vis and a tide running will freak you but they all will have
procedures to cope with you.

To be brutal very few places will turn away a paying customer
however if you do a UK qualification pay the extra and get a card
as, overseas, most places expect a card not a record book.

nigelH

MikeUK <mike@uk.com> wrote:

> In UK I notice there are a lot of PADI courses and a UK type certification,
> I wish to learn but able to use abroad in Thailand etc, most places seem to
> accept PADI but not the UK, is the PADI transferable to go with UK certified
> diving clubs?

These days transferability is not a problem. OK some places in the
back of beyond might have to find the book to look up what a UK
qualification is equivalent too and some UK places might look at
a tropical PADI certification and wonder if less than 2 meters
of vis and a tide running will freak you but they all will have
procedures to cope with you.

To be brutal very few places will turn away a paying customer
however if you do a UK qualification pay the extra and get a card
as, overseas, most places expect a card not a record book.

nigelH

"Aquanaut" <withfishes@sea.com> wrote in message
news:Syj5e.12073$S9.6881@newsfe5-gui.ntli.net...
> Which ever way i say this its going to upset someone.
> If you want to get in the water and "dive" go for PADI.In general "resort"
> diving you will have less grief.Also this route will get you in the water
> quicker.
> BSAC qualifications are more in depth(excuse the pun) and do equate to
,and
> exceed the requirements of similar level PADI.
> Then there is the rest of the arguement that is bound to follow.
> My advice--do a PADI open water course---if you enjoy the experience,keep
> doing it and re qualify BSAC to improve your skills.The basic difference
is
> PADI is designed to get holiday divers wet with a margin of saftey,BSAC
you
> learn what saftey is.
> Can of worms open now----oops didnt mention the tek divers
>
There is another option, which is to join a BSAC club and learn over a
protracted period from club instructors on a "one to one" basis, rather than
paying for a BSAC or PADI course at a dive centre.

I chose this option, joined Rhyl club and am finding the training relaxed
but
very thorough with no pressure being applied to "keep up with the group" as
was found by a friend who did a PADI course somewhere abroad on holiday.
Being st the bottom of the experience pile, I also benefit from help and
advice from other club members.

Just waiting now for my first open water dive which will no doubt be a bit
chilly!

Graham.

"Aquanaut" <withfishes@sea.com> wrote in message
news:Syj5e.12073$S9.6881@newsfe5-gui.ntli.net...
> Which ever way i say this its going to upset someone.
> If you want to get in the water and "dive" go for PADI.In general "resort"
> diving you will have less grief.Also this route will get you in the water
> quicker.
> BSAC qualifications are more in depth(excuse the pun) and do equate to
,and
> exceed the requirements of similar level PADI.
> Then there is the rest of the arguement that is bound to follow.
> My advice--do a PADI open water course---if you enjoy the experience,keep
> doing it and re qualify BSAC to improve your skills.The basic difference
is
> PADI is designed to get holiday divers wet with a margin of saftey,BSAC
you
> learn what saftey is.
> Can of worms open now----oops didnt mention the tek divers
>
There is another option, which is to join a BSAC club and learn over a
protracted period from club instructors on a "one to one" basis, rather than
paying for a BSAC or PADI course at a dive centre.

I chose this option, joined Rhyl club and am finding the training relaxed
but
very thorough with no pressure being applied to "keep up with the group" as
was found by a friend who did a PADI course somewhere abroad on holiday.
Being st the bottom of the experience pile, I also benefit from help and
advice from other club members.

Just waiting now for my first open water dive which will no doubt be a bit
chilly!

Graham.