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Scuba Certification is a lifetime cert with the exception of teaching professionals that spent time inactive and which may require requalification. Even this is up to the sanctioning organization and can vary as per requirements for each individual.
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Correct, that Certification is a lifetime cert. I went through a similar experience, though I was originally certified in the mid 60’s. I decided to go through the course again for several reasons. One, the technology had changed some, ie; BCD’s and Octopus regulators. Never had those things back in the "Dark Ages". Also, we learned under Navy dive tables which are different in several ways. Mainly in a 60’ pm ascent rate (follow your bubbles) as opposed to the 30’ ascent rate, based on Doppler readings. Not sure when they switched the tables around. Might check on that. We also never did safety stops at 15 feet. Some differences that may have been in effect in ’93, or not.
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My local NAUI shop offers refresher courses. Not near as much $’s or time as a full cert. Might be a good idea since a few things have changed since your certification.
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Pick out a diving certification association that fits your wallet. It shouldn’t be a chore. It is always fun to take another diving class, or at least, it should be. Education should be fun, and some agency’s training is actually just exactly that. It seems like it was a 1, 000 years ago, but I took an intro to diving course a long time ago. It was the only class that I have taken that I couldn’t wait to get out of the room. Other than that, it has all been really fun.
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I signed up for PADI open water e-learning last night, so let the fun begin.
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PADI is more expensive, but I think it’s because you keep all the materials. SSI is cheaper, and you keep the books (which are also self promoting) but the answer sheets all go in records of the dive shop. There is also a difference in advanced courses. I think PADI requires more steps to get to the same point. All work as far as certification. I’m sure there are others on here that know more about it than I do.
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It doesn’t matter who you sign up with. Just get out and dive. Welcome back to the best world to live in. The underwater world.
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If you start out with a padi OW can you further your education with SSI? Or do you need to start all over?
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Most agencies do recognize other agency certifications at the recreational levels and accept them for continued education. At the professional level their are crossover courses available.
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MDW - 11/13/2014 7:49 AM 
For anyone in this situation, I recommend and OW refresher and then a full AOW course. This will give you a quick and cheap way to get back to wetness and allow you to advance a level beyond what you did years back.
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