Two great dive educators - so what's the difference?

NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) and PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) are the largest two diver training organizations in the world. Together they issue over 80% of diving certifications worldwide.

There are many agencies around the world and the largest and best recognized are NAUI and PADI.

Both PADI and NAUI diver certifications that are recognized globally as well as being accepted by each other.

So what is the difference?

Well, the two agencies have fundamentally different philosophies, however the methods of training each agency uses while differing from each other both have firm roots in sound and proven educational systems.

NAUI is a not-for-profit agency, founded in 1960 and based on educating qualified and safe divers. PADI is a for-profit agency, founded in 1966. PADI takes a marketing approach to diving which has been quite successful and has made them the largest and most recognized certification agency in the world.

Both these agencies have spent many years developing diver educational training methods and techniques that are broadly similar and extremely well respected throughout the diving community.

Ultimately, what is most important for your training as a good and safe diver is your instructor rather than the certification agencies they  are affiliated with. All of our staff have the experience necessary to train you to become a safe and good diver with an attention to your individual needs that is second to none. We employ only long term staff - you'll find no instructors on vacation from their "real jobs" at Alton's. This is our real job! We work as dive instructors because we love to dive and we love to teach!

There are a few differences in the beginners courses the main ones are outlined below:

1. The NAUI course starts with a skin diving (breath hold dive) and snorkeling session, looking at some basic equipment techniques, finning, surface dives, underwater swimming and skin diving rescue techniques.
   
2. The PADI course offers the skin diving, but as an option - PADI course prices do not usually include the skin diving and snorkeling sessions.
3. All NAUI courses teach diver rescue skills and the beginners course is no exception. You will learn basic rescue skills, including raising a diver to the surface and delivering rescue breaths to an unconscious diver. These are done for both snorkeling/skin diving and scuba diving.
   
4. PADI only teaches rescue skills during the Rescue Diver course.
5. The NAUI course includes an open water (an extra boat trip out to the reef) skin diving and snorkeling session, the PADI one does not.

Whether you choose to go with NAUI  or with PADI courses, all of us at Alton's Dive Center will ensure that  vacation and diving experience is safe and fun!

NAUI Scuba Diver Learn to dive with NAUI Scuba Diver. NAUI's first step in learning how to dive. Price: $299 > Add to Cart <

PADI Open Water Diver Learn to dive with PADI Open Water Certification. Price includes local taxes, equipment rental, study materials, certification, accommodation. Price: $299 > Add to Cart <