Padi or YMCA cert. Is one better?

Question

I want to learn how to SCUBA dive. Should I go for the PADI or YMCA cert? What's the difference?

Answer 1

the YMCA is always guranteed, I say go for that one.

Answer 2

In short, no. Some people have preferences, but both will get you your open water certification. Both are recognized world wide.

Meet with both instructors. Ask questions. Whichever you feel more confident in, sign up with.

Answer 3

There are many certification agencies out there. Perosnlly I'm not a huge fan of either that you mentioned however PADI is more widely recognized around the world and likely it will be a local dive shop that has PADI and they will probably offer gear discounts as a result of using their shop as your certification whereas YMCA (I believe) doesn't sell gear.

I'd go PADI if that were your only 2 choices.

~Rick

Answer 4

*cough*sdi is better*cough*

lol, not really.

It's the instructor that counts, not the agency. Besides, all the agencies are held to strict standards set forth by ISO. Keep in mind that padi has better recognition, but the instructor has to be good.