| Imported post
Sorry Ian mate, I don't want to sound arsey but I'm afraid I'm going to have to differ entirely with you:
Firstly, if you're going to do a nitrox course, I wouldn't settle for the basic one . My recommendation would be do a combined basic/adv if you can, it's only a bit more effort.
I did both the BSAC Adv Nitrox and the TDI Adv nitrox last year and IMO both sets of manuals were very good, the BSAC one is very detailed, the TDI one is written in very clear plain English (in a surprisingly untechnical style and with a sense of humour too).
I can't comment on the PADI version but I'd be extremely surprised if their manual were to impress me more, or equal to, the other two agencies materials.
Anyway it depends on which "track" you intend to follow, if you see yourself going on to become a PADI to-the-bone diver then do the padi one for consistency, but given the choice between the PADI and TDI course I'd pick TDI, it's far more respected (all IMVHO of course).
The IANTD manual is extremely detailed, along the lines of a PhD thesis, so unless you're that scientifically inclined perhaps best to avoid that one.
Plus if you go for the TDI and choose to do it later here in the UK, you could opt to be trained by our very own YD diving deity Andy "Dalesdivers" Hayhurst, who's probably forgotten more than the average diver ever learns, and a thoroughly nice chap to boot too
Chee-az
Steve  |