Padi is the worlds largest dive certification provider. In most cases Padi have managed to become the dive industry standard and is now recognised in every country worth diving in. Having this sort of recognition can be of benefit to you especially if you intend to dive your way around the world. The one negative / positive (depends which you look at it) is that Padis courses tend be inflexible and very standardised. This doesn't leave room for personalisation of courses or for the instructor to expand on what Padi preaches with any real authority. Padi takes the approach that if it isn't in the book than forget about it. As they say, "bigger is not always better."

This is PADI's blurb from their website:

"PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is the world’s largest recreational diving membership organization. The membership includes dive businesses, resort facilities, academic institutions, instructor trainers, dive educators, divers, snorkelers and other watersports enthusiasts. Professional PADI Members (dive centers, resorts, educational facilities, instructors, assistant instructors and divemasters) teach the vast majority of the world’s recreational divers, issuing nearly 946,000 certifications each year. PADI Professionals make underwater exploration and adventure accessible to the public while maintaining the highest industry standards for dive training, safety and customer service.

PADI is international in scope with service offices in Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. PADI Worldwide (corporate headquarters) is located in California, United States. PADI Offices serve more than 100,000 individual professional members and more than 4300 dive centers and resorts in more than 175 countries. To serve the needs of divers worldwide, translations of PADI materials are available in more than 20 languages."

For more information take a look at their website: www.padi.com

This is SSIs blurb from their website:

"With all the professional training programs out there, why should you choose to become an SSI Diver?

Quality Dealers. SSI Authorized Dealers are carefully selected to meet our high standards. We only work with full-service, reputable retailers and resorts who run a professional scuba school, sell and service equipment, and offer additional services to meet all your diving needs.

Quality Instructors. SSI is the only agency that requires instructors to affiliate with a full-service Authorized Dealer. SSI Instructors are monitored on-site for adherence to the SSI Training Standards, professional conduct and performance, to ensure your course is taught right.

SSI's the Leader in Home Study Training. Home study is the hottest thing in dive training because it allows you to spend more time in the water developing ability and comfort. In 1990 SSI pioneered this technique, and we're still the leader today.
Comfort Through Repetition. SSI Instructors use our highly-effective water training method called Comfort Through Repetition. Scuba skills become second nature, so you can relax and enjoy yourself when you go diving.

World-Wide Respect and Recognition. SSI divers are respected all over the world because of SSI's reputation for training excellent divers. With over 1,900 Authorized Dealers in 90 countries, your SSI certification card will be welcomed anywhere you want to dive."

For more information take a look at their website: www.ssiusa.com

Many companies have tried to take on Padi and to date none have succeeded with any real success.....that is with the exception of SSI.The one negative with SSI, is that still being relatively new it is not as widely recognised as Padi.

Both Padi and SSI are interchangable. For example if you only get through half of your course with Padi you can finish it off with SSI.

One of the main reason that many dive schools have moved from Padi to SSI is due to the cost factor.

Cairns has seen the majority of dive schools either move across to SSI or go to a system where the student can have a choice of either Padi or SSI.

The choice is yours.