Training Agencies
There are a number of different training agencies internationally. Our shop teaches curriculum created by SDI (Scuba Diving International) and TDI (Technical Diving International). SDI/TDI is our preferred default option compared to the larger training agencies, as we feel they do a superior job as an agency to focus on quality over quantity. All the agencies have agreed on the minimum standards for what different levels of training mean, although they may give them slightly different titles. Here is an equivalency chart for easy comparison from the largest 3 agencies. Please feel free to ask us if you have any questions we can help clear up!!
COMPARE DIVER COURSES WITH THIS EQUIVALENCY CHART (PADI, SDI, SSI)
| PADI | SDI | SSI |
| Skin Diver | Snorkeler | Snorkel Diver |
| Discover Scuba Diver | Scuba Discovery | TRY SCUBA DIVING |
| Bubble Maker | Future Buddies | Scuba Rangers |
| ReActivate™ – Scuba Refresher | Inactive Diver / Refresher | Scuba Skills Update |
| Not Applicable | Shallow Water Diver | Not Applicable |
| Not Applicable | Supervised Diver | Not Applicable |
| Scuba Diver | Not Applicable | Scuba Diver |
| Open Water Diver | Open Water Scuba Diver | Open Water Diver |
| Not Applicable | Advanced Diver | Advanced Open Water Diver |
| Rescue Diver | Rescue Diver | Diver Stress & Rescue |
| Master Diver | Master Diver | Master Diver |
| Not Applicable | Scubility Diver | Classified Diver |
| Advanced Open Water Diver | Advanced Adventure Diver | Advanced Adventurer |
| Peak Performance Buoyancy | Advanced Buoyancy Control | Perfect Buoyancy |
| Altitude Diver | Altitude Diver | Altitude Diving |
| Aware – Fish Identification | Marine Ecosystems Awareness Diver | Not Applicable |
| Aware – Coral Reef Conservation Diver | Marine Ecosystems Awareness Diver | Not Applicable |
| Boat Diver | Boat Diver | Boat Diving |
| Cavern Diver | TDI Cavern Diver | Extended Range (XR) Cavern Diving |
| Multilevel Diver | Computer Diver | Not Applicable |
| Enriched Air Diver | Computer Nitrox Diver | Enriched Air Nitrox Diver |
| EFR CPR & AED | CPROX 1st AED | REACT RIGHT |
| Deep Diver | Deep Diver | Deep Diving |
| Diver Propulsion Vehicle Diver | Diver Propulsion Vehicle | Not Applicable |
| Discover Rebreather | TDI Rebreather Discovery | Not Applicable |
| Drift Diver | Drift Diver | Not Applicable |
| Dry Suit Diver | Dry Suit Diver | Dry Suit Diving |
| Equipment Specialist | Equipment Specialist | Equipment Techniques |
| Not Applicable | Full Face Mask Diver | FFM |
| Ice Diver | Ice Diver | Ice Diver |
| Project AWARE® Specialist | Marine Ecosystems Awareness Diver | Ecology |
| Night Diver | Night/Limited Visibility Diver | Night & Limited Visibility |
| Not Applicable | Research Diver | Not Applicable |
| Search and Recovery Diver | Search and Recovery Diver | Search & Recovery |
| Not Applicable | Shore/Beach Diver | Waves, Tides, & Current |
| Sidemount Diver | Sidemount Diver | Recreational Sidemount Diving |
| Self Reliant Diver | Solo Diver | Independent Diver |
| Rebreather Diver | Not Applicable | Rebreather Diver |
| Not Applicable | UW Hunter and Collector | Not Applicable |
| Underwater Nagivator | UW Navigation Diver | Navigation |
| Digital Underwater Photography | UW Photographer | Underwater Photography |
| Underwater Videographer | UW Videographer | Not Applicable |
| Not Applicable | Visual Inspection Procedures | Not Applicable |
| Wreck Diver | Wreck Diver | Wreck Diver |
| Distinctive Specialties | Unique Specialties | Additional Specialties |
| Aware – Shark Conservation Diver | Shark Diver | Shark Diver |
| Invasive Lionfish Tracker | Lionfish Eradification Diver | Not Applicable |
| Sea Turtle Awareness | Turtle Awareness Diver | Not Applicable |
| Whale Shark Awareness | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| PADI Free Diver | Not Applicable | Basic Free Diver |
| Not Applicable | Goliath Grouper Awareness Diver | Not Applicable |
| Not Applicable | SDI Fill Station Operator | Not Applicable |
| Not Applicable | Heritage Awareness Diver | Not Applicable |
| Not Applicable | Kayak Diver | Not Applicable |
| Not Applicable | Manatee Awareness Diver | Not Applicable |
| Not Applicable | River Diver | River Diver |
