| IANTD est. 1985 |
| Stands for |
International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers |
| Contact |
(305)751-4873
www.iantd.com |
| Entry-Level Certifications |
Open Water Diver/Open Water Nitrox diver |
| Open-water-dives required |
4-6 for Open Water Diver; 5 for Open Water Nitrox, 2 of which must be on nitrox |
| Pool-water-dives required |
12 hours recommended |
| Lecture hours required |
12 hours recommended for Open Water; 16 for Open Water Nitrox |
| Notes |
- |
| |
| IDEA est. 1952 |
| Stands for |
International Diving Educators Association |
| Contact |
(904)744-5554
www.scuba-idea.com/us |
| Entry-Level Certifications |
Basic Open Water Diver |
| Open-water-dives required |
4 |
| Pool-water-dives required |
Up to instructor with a minimum of 5 |
| Lecture hours required |
Up to instructor with a minimum of 24 hours |
| Notes |
Open Water Diver course requires 6 supervised dives |
| |
| MDEA est. 1984 |
| Stands for |
Multinational Diving Educators Association |
| Contact |
(615)352-8890 |
| Entry-Level Certifications |
Level One Diver |
| Open-water-dives required |
NA |
| Pool-water-dives required |
NA |
| Lecture hours required |
NA |
| Notes |
- |
| |
| NASE est. 1982 |
| Stands for |
National Academy of Scuba Educators |
| Contact |
(904)264-4104
www.nasescuba.com |
| Entry-Level Certifications |
Open Water Diver |
| Open-water-dives required |
4 |
| Pool-water-dives required |
5 |
| Lecture hours required |
5 |
| Notes |
Instructors and students have the option of home study |
| |
| NASDS est. 1961 |
| Stands for |
National Association of Scuba Diving Schools |
| Contact |
(901) 767-7265
www.divesafe.com |
| Entry-Level Certifications |
Open Water Diver |
| Open-water-dives required |
4 |
| Pool-water-dives required |
10 modules, 60 to 90 minutes each |
| Lecture hours required |
10 modules, 60 to 90 minutes each |
| Notes |
- |
| |
| NAUI est. 1960 |
| Stands for |
National Association of Underwater Instructors |
| Contact |
(800)553-6284
www.naui.org |
| Entry-Level Certifications |
Scuba Diver |
| Open-water-dives required |
4 scuba, 1 skin |
| Pool-water-dives required |
10 hours total in pool and open water |
| Lecture hours required |
Estimated 14 hours |
| Notes |
Nonprofit organization |
| |
| PADI est. 1966 |
| Stands for |
Professional Association of Diving Instructors |
| Contact |
(800)729-7234
www.padi.com |
| Entry-Level Certifications |
PADI Open Water Diver |
| Open-water-dives required |
4 |
| Pool-water-dives required |
5 modules |
| Lecture hours required |
5 modules |
| Notes |
All modules are performance-based requiring no set time limits |
| |
| PDIC Int'l est. 1975 |
| Stands for |
Professional Diving Instructors Corporation |
| Contact |
(717)342-1480
www.pdic-intl.com |
| Entry-Level Certifications |
Open Water |
| Open-water-dives required |
4 scuba, 1 skin |
| Pool-water-dives required |
Minimum of 6 |
| Lecture hours required |
Minimum of 6 |
| Notes |
- |
| |
| SSI est. 1970 |
| Stands for |
Scuba Schools International |
| Contact |
(800)892-2702
www.ssiusa.com |
| Entry-Level Certifications |
Open Water Diver |
| Open-water-dives required |
5 scuba, 1 skin recommended |
| Pool-water-dives required |
6 |
| Lecture hours required |
6 |
| Notes |
Total course hours recommended is 16 to 32, depending on whether a home study or classroom situation |
| |
| YMCA Scuba est. 1959 |
| Stands for |
Young Men's Christian Association |
| Contact |
(770)662-5172
www.ymcascuba.com |
| Entry-Level Certifications |
Open Water SCUBA Diver |
| Open-water-dives required |
4 scuba, 1 skin |
| Pool-water-dives required |
12 |
| Lecture hours required |
Approximately 12 |
| Notes |
Pool and lecture must total 24 hours, at least half of which must be in the pool. Nonprofit organization |
| |
| WASI est. 1997 |
| Stands for |
World Association of Scuba Instructors |
| Contact |
(801) 363-9274
www.divewasi.com |
| Entry-Level Certifications |
Open Water Diver |
| Open-water-dives required |
4 |
| Pool-water-dives required |
Minimum of 4 |
| Lecture hours required |
4 units, time required up to instructor |
| Notes |
Introductory DAN membership included with certification |
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