At the Divemen diving centre most courses can be completed with a PADI or an SDI certificate. You learn with the same instructor at the same places, and the programme is almost the same. What differs is the organisation that issues the certificate, the learning materials and sometimes the price.
Both certificates are valid worldwide
Dive centres and trip operators all over the world accept PADI and SDI certificates. With an Open Water Diver certificate you can rent equipment and dive to 18 metres, whichever organisation you choose.
PADI
PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) was founded in the USA in 1966. It is the largest diver training organisation in the world: it has issued more than 30 million certifications, and you will find PADI dive centres in almost every country.
SDI
SDI (Scuba Diving International) was founded in 1998 as the recreational branch of TDI (Technical Diving International), which specialises in technical diving. SDI was the first to require beginners to dive with a dive computer from their very first course.
How to choose
- Price. Some SDI courses cost less; you will find both prices on every course page.
- Further courses. Both organisations offer courses from beginner to professional. We teach technical diving with PADI TecRec and TDI.
- You can switch. After a course with one organisation you can continue with the other: dive centres accept certificates from both.
If you are not sure which to choose, write to us: we will advise you according to your goals.