Imported post
<font color='#0000FF'>OK then Steve, I'll kick things off! Well I would have if it hadn't taken me so long to write it, I have now been beaten to it!
Firstly I also have a qualification with both agencies, BSAC Advanced and Padi DM (although I only did this as someone else wanted to do it.
If someone asked me which agency to train with I would ask them where they wanted to dive, if they want to dive both in the UK and overseas then I would advise the BSAC route, if they only want to dive on holiday then I would say PADI.
If you train with a BSAC club which we all know takes considerably longer than 5 days, but I believe you get on the whole good training from like minded people who do it because they enjoy it not because they are being paid. When I started my training began in the January and my first openwater dive apart from Novice 1 and 2 which was sheltered water in Stoney was to be Easter in Angelsey unfortunately like so many Easters it was blown out. So no sea for me
very disappointed, the club decided to dive Vivian and I was informed I couldn't dive. Since then I have continued my training with BSAC, I like the club environment and will continue to dive with like minded people.
The BSAC training system allows the diver to progress at a rate which is suitable for most people there is no pressure to advance your qualification I know lots of excellent Sports Divers, who do not want to become Dive Leaders. Whereas PADI trained divers seem to need advance and continue their qualification far quicker than is necessary. Week 1 OW, Week 2 AOW and so on, there was a lady on Divernet the other week who was asking for buddies as she wanted to go to the Red Sea and do the DM course which requires 50 dives, I ask what is the rush? It took me a couple of years to complete Sports diver, mainly due to injury and operations but I don't think this did me any harm.
However, if you only want to dive overseas why pay for membership at a club or as with BSAC you have to have BSAC membership each year to retain your qualification, unlike PADI where your qualification is for life, no re-newing this I only found out a couple of months ago when I was considering re-newing my PADI membership, I was then told I didn't have to. So good for you PADI members.
BSAC members say PADI stands for Put Another Dollar In, as everything has to be paid for, but I have continued my training through to Advanced Diver which involved a great number of Skill Developement Courses at a price, however I did enjoy doing them and they gave me a broader experience, since then done IANTD Advanced Nitrox, certainly the one course whoever runs it is well worth doing and then IANTD Gas Blender.
I have probably gone off on a tangent and this is only my opinion so if you want to dive in UK dive BSAC otherwise PADI is a more widely recognised qualification as everyone knows what level your at, some places overseas assume BSAC Advanced is the same as PADI Advanced and I assure you it isn't.
Hope I haven't upset anyone