Seems that alot of people here are putting PADI out on the line too dry. I haven't read ALL the posts, but it didn't seem anyone was saying which agency the op was affiliated with. Seems that there are some guilty consciences out there, and you know what they say about guilty consciences, there's usually a reason for it!! When I was getting my ow and aow certs., the wife of one of the shop owners who had too make such a big deal of getting a MASTER DIVER cert (which she had) but she couldn't even remember how too put together her gear by herself, let alone don her own drysuit. That was a wife of a LDS owner, and if that is the credentials to become a MASTER DIVER well than I don't plan on Putting Another Dollar In. I guess, if your gonna claim too be the BEST agency, and act as if it were the case, you should make sure your instructors were not putting out sub par divers. In regards too the statement above, most agencies will crossover other agencies pro's without major hassle, while others are just too proud (of what, is my question?)
So, in regards too the whole issue at hand, yes the instructor has a bit too do with it, but a student can take even sub par instruction and become a perfectly safe diver!!
Also, in that a student can take the greatest instruction and butcher it. My only hope, is that the students I train, will present themselves and my instruction with nothing other than being safe and well informed divers!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel it is my responsibilty too train safe and responsible divers, if not for them, for the divers they will be diving with as well as the loved ones they should be returning home too see. So, if your looking for a quick cert. that you probably won't remember, get a hold of someone else. I want too be remembered as an instructor who cared and gave his students his all, not the "cracker jack box" training facility.:no
Joe
