PADI vs ISC Open Water Course: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Choosing a dive certification agency isn't as hard as it may seem—all reptuable dive centres around the world accept certifications from ISO or RSTC affiliated training agencies. Regardless of the certifying brand, what matters most to dive operators is how recently you've dived and how many dives you've completed. That said, it's still useful to understand the differences in course delivery, flexibility, and costs between agencies. In this blog post, we compare the globally recognised PADI Open Water Diver course with the modern and independent ISC Open Water Diver course.

Overview

PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is the largest training agency in the world. Initially PADI training was the same as CMAS AND BSAC in what was delivered, but was one of the first to embrace changes to training practices as dive gear evolved and improved.

ISC (International Scuba Certification) is a newer agency created by industry veterans, designed to simplify the training process, reduce costs, and provide more flexibility for instructors and dive centres. All training agencies algin there training to the ISO standards to ensure

Side-by-Side Course Comparison

Feature	PADI Open Water	ISC Open Water
Agency Age	Founded in 1966	Founded by industry professionals in 2020s
Global Acceptance	Accepted worldwide	Accepted worldwide
Theoretical Component	Online or in-person	Online and mobile-friendly
Course Duration	~2–4 days	2–4 days (flexible)
Water Time Requirement	Minimum 80 minutes	Minimum 120 minutes
Maximum Training Depth	18 metres (60 feet)	20 metres (65 feet)
Instructor Flexibility	Low – tightly standardised	High – focus on real-world teaching
Cost to Dive Centre	High (course materials, PICs)	Low (flat certification fee)
Student Material Cost	US$150–230 (or more)	N/A
Equipment Requirements	Branded equipment encouraged	No requirement for branded gear
Certification Processing	Card Directly sent from PADI	Digital Certifcation , Dive Centres can provide cards
Crossovers Allowed	Complex and expensive	Simple and instructor-friendly
Lost Certification Card	eCard or Physical Card (extra cost)	Free
Extras	Free Digital logbook	Free Digital logbook

Note on Recognition: "Global recognition" often refers to brand familiarity. However, in terms of global acceptance, both PADI and ISC certifications are recognised by reputable dive operators worldwide. What matters most to dive centres is how recently you've dived, where you have dived and your total experience, not the agency that issued your certification.

Skills Covered Comparison

Skill Area	PADI Open Water	ISC Open Water
Mask Clearing	Full and partial mask removal & replacement	Full and partial mask removal & replacement
Regulator Recovery and Clearing	Standard recovery techniques	Same – emphasis on confidence and technique
Buoyancy Control	Hovering, fin pivots, weight checks	Focused buoyancy skills with real-world scenarios
Out-of-Air Response	Alternate air source use with buddy	Same – stress management included
Emergency Ascent	CESA (Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent)	CESA and alternate ascent techniques
Cramp Removal and Tired Diver Assist	Standardised self-rescue and towing drills	Same – practical surface assistance
Underwater Navigation	Compass and natural navigation	Same – may include extra emphasis on real use
Equipment Setup and Care	Pre-dive checks and post-dive maintenance	Same – with optional variations per gear type
Environmental Awareness	Basic marine environment discussion	Strong emphasis on sustainability and impact
Dive Planning	RDP or eRDP use	Digital and table-based planning options

Why Choose ISC?

ISC was built with dive professionals in mind. It offers a cost-effective, practical, and flexible training model without compromising safety or quality. Instructors have the freedom to tailor delivery to the student’s needs and focus on diving—not sales targets.

For students, ISC courses are more affordable and often more personal, run by experienced instructors who are truly passionate about diving—not just following scripts. You'll also receive your digital certification card (eCard) for free, and training times are structured for quality, not quantity.

Conclusion

Both PADI and ISC provide safe, structured diver training which meet the industry standard. That means global acceptance.