Can I dive with a buddy who isn't certified?
- Thread starter gmaguitar01
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crpntr133
lost, even with a compass
Ok, so I'll say it again.
The OP says he just recieved his cert. We must presume it was with a bad instructor, right? So I infer from your post that it is ok for him and his dad to stumble around at some unnamed place with SCUBA.
I don't recall that the OP had any special "knowledge of being in the water" other than his certification by what we must assume is a bad instructor.
I would hazard a guess that a even a bad instructor has more knowledge in this respect than the OP. __________________Quote Splitlip
I do not agree that we must assume op had a bad instructor! It is impossible to get every point across to every student in any class. As I remember it, everyone in my classes had already committed to the training and my instructor didn't need to tell us we needed to be trained nor do I remember anyone saying we couldn't dive with uncertified divers.
The instructors impart knowledge following the lesson plan to the best of their ability knowing some of it will be forgotten & misunderstood. We can not and should not judge the instructor (or the op) by one post from a past student.
If this is a test.. a few of us failed it.
I would rather encourage new and even experienced divers to ask questions. The old saying is true... there are no stupid questions only stupid answers! The goal of this forum is to help people make choices based on facts and experiences of people who want to share their passion for diving and help others enjoy safe diving.
The OP says he just recieved his cert. We must presume it was with a bad instructor, right? So I infer from your post that it is ok for him and his dad to stumble around at some unnamed place with SCUBA.
I don't recall that the OP had any special "knowledge of being in the water" other than his certification by what we must assume is a bad instructor.
I would hazard a guess that a even a bad instructor has more knowledge in this respect than the OP. __________________Quote Splitlip
I do not agree that we must assume op had a bad instructor! It is impossible to get every point across to every student in any class. As I remember it, everyone in my classes had already committed to the training and my instructor didn't need to tell us we needed to be trained nor do I remember anyone saying we couldn't dive with uncertified divers.
The instructors impart knowledge following the lesson plan to the best of their ability knowing some of it will be forgotten & misunderstood. We can not and should not judge the instructor (or the op) by one post from a past student.
If this is a test.. a few of us failed it.
I would rather encourage new and even experienced divers to ask questions. The old saying is true... there are no stupid questions only stupid answers! The goal of this forum is to help people make choices based on facts and experiences of people who want to share their passion for diving and help others enjoy safe diving.
You guys could try being positive some time. Instead of flaming everyone give them a way to be happy and yet still be safe. I thought I did this in my post by recommending his father do a Discover Scuba Diving. The OP gets to dive with his dad, the dad gets to dive without a lot of investment. Everyone is safe. Problem solved.
Information for new divers is what this forum is about, and it can be provided without flaming the OP
Strong words need to be used sometimes to stop unsafe behavior but ... not providing the reasons behind them accomplishes nothing .. just posting phrases like "your gonna die" or "Darwin at work" is not needed, nor helpful
Strong words need to be used sometimes to stop unsafe behavior but ... not providing the reasons behind them accomplishes nothing .. just posting phrases like "your gonna die" or "Darwin at work" is not needed, nor helpful
Guba
Contributor
Others may have brought up this point earlier, but I don't remember seeing it.
Let me get this straight...the OP is a fairly new diver. Dad is an untrained non-diver. The plan is to "introduce" dad to the wonders of diving by diving together (with no one else in the group, I assume).
So the way I see it, Dad has a fairly "rookie" partner......The son has no partner at all, and is therefore essentially diving solo since Dad has virtually no underwater rescue skills whatsoever. Therefore, I have to ask whether the OP is adequately trained, equipped, or prepared for solo diving. I must repeat what I and others have said throughout this thread---it's a bad idea.
Just a thought to add to the already colorful mix.
Let me get this straight...the OP is a fairly new diver. Dad is an untrained non-diver. The plan is to "introduce" dad to the wonders of diving by diving together (with no one else in the group, I assume).
So the way I see it, Dad has a fairly "rookie" partner......The son has no partner at all, and is therefore essentially diving solo since Dad has virtually no underwater rescue skills whatsoever. Therefore, I have to ask whether the OP is adequately trained, equipped, or prepared for solo diving. I must repeat what I and others have said throughout this thread---it's a bad idea.
Just a thought to add to the already colorful mix.
exactly! As Reefhound said this thread has value :blinking:When people log on here to see what we are all about threads like this give a very strong message
I left SB when I got fed up with the flaming and negative attitudes. 
I am back because an effort is being made to make this a better place to be and I really like some of the people here. I love the concept of a flame free and friendly zone. If I venture into some areas I will accept the terms of those forums and expect to get flamed or whatever but hereWe are supposed to play nice
The "Discover Scuba", or similar program is a safe way to expose some one to the sport safely. They receive a very basic lesson and then dive under the watchful eyes of some one trianed for just that, some one trained to not only teach, but to safely rescue a paniced diver if it should become necessary, without themselves becoming a victim. Even a well intentioned and fairly skilled, newly certified diver wont have this skill.
It's true that 30 years ago we often did this sort of "expose a friend to the sport" quick dive, but we have come a long way in the years since in making this a safer sport. Back then there was no other quick option like the "Discover" programs, and a certification was a much longer process, and required much more commitment. You really had to be sure you wanted to be a diver before you bought gear (no rentals in my area back then) and spent 7 weeks training. Now there is really no sane reason to cut such corners in safety, when there are easy programs to expose an interested person in the sport, to see if they like it, and keep them alive while doing it!
My opinion.
It's true that 30 years ago we often did this sort of "expose a friend to the sport" quick dive, but we have come a long way in the years since in making this a safer sport. Back then there was no other quick option like the "Discover" programs, and a certification was a much longer process, and required much more commitment. You really had to be sure you wanted to be a diver before you bought gear (no rentals in my area back then) and spent 7 weeks training. Now there is really no sane reason to cut such corners in safety, when there are easy programs to expose an interested person in the sport, to see if they like it, and keep them alive while doing it!
My opinion.
Ana
.
Oh you were clear from the start, along with some of the others. It was me, that didn't explain exactly what I meant.
By this point I don't even consider the knowledge and/or ability of the OP, he got certified and good or bad he's been blessed to go forth and scuba his brain out. The issue for mi was the Dad. The man wants to go diving but doesn't think he has time to get certified. To me this can be translated into:
a) doesn't really care so claims he doesn't have time.
b) doesn't think he needs the instruction.
If it is "a" he won't get around to actually go diving so it is a mute point.
If it is "b" then he (not the OP) could use his son's materials (in addition to the tons of info available) to inform himself about the subject, learn his way, practice his way; and maybe, be just as prepared as his son was the day he received his card, without the benefit of a formal class.
Either that or all of you are all correct; the man is an idiot and he'll die within the second breath he draws, the instant his head is underwater ?
I'm not saying the son is going to teach him, much less save him on a Oh cra__! moment. What I firmly believe is that scuba diving can safely be an individual activity, a person can be responsible for him/herself (no if's or but's), can be safely learn, safely practice and safely enjoyed with out the benefit of formal training.
Hey... rocket science can be accomplished without formal training. Instructors are not magicians, some think they are teaching, how many times it is the student the one learning (in spite of the instructors) you see that in our Colleges and Universities every day.
Is it easier to go to a dive shop and get your XXXX certification? Sure it is. But it is not the only way. That is my point, I didn't explain better earlier.
Zieg
Contributor
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