The "Official" SB Scuba Course?

[Buoyant1]

I'm trying to do it in a more formalized way (and also hopefully with input from folks outside of just Scuba Board (hey, i can dream ) and end up with something that can stand as a completed project from the dive community for the dive community.

The idea is not to argue for right and wrong here, but to form consensus while producing something. To that end, there shouldn't be much in the way of drama -- we're all big boys and girls after all.

Well hopefully you have better luck than the previous attempts!

 

[kjack_1]

The customers want shorter and cheaper.

Agreed. That is the pre-dive info that I've got.....How soon before I can dive? Around here - 6 to 8 weeks. Is that a normal for other areas? I honestly don't know. If it is a norm - then compressing the course into a shorter period BUT adding more info would make sense. But that now requires the instructors to devote more of their time in an already hectic schedule.

Now, can a course be developed that provides a customer with a shorter course and still make it a great couse? That's the rub from my perspective. Cost, while not unimportant, should/could/would revolve around the perceived value that the customer expects. Are you a Yogo or a Lexus?

Unfortunately, that usually equates out to more bells and whistles in the product.

K

 

[kjack_1]

Good question!

Thanks, I try not to ask stoopid questions, but sometimes I forget.

 

[*dave*]

The customers want shorter and cheaper.

Only because they believe there's no difference in the content between an extended, pricier course. I have no problem convincing prospective students of the values of the extended course, but if all they hear is "faster cheaper", of course that's what they'll want.

They are not making informed decisions.

 

[kjack_1]

Okay now - a different thought.

I would be neglectful if I didn't poke-the-bear(s) for thoughts on a blurb about diving health. Or do they cover that in Basic OW? Not so much eat right and all that, but can you schelp gear (i.e. can you find your way out of a twinkie box?) I know the swim test is there for a reason, but it's not just about swimming. I'm not thinking about marathon runners or weight lifting, just a blurb that if you want to dive better, longer, and have enough stamina to save your buddy . . . . . .

(the sins of working in health care ya know <heavy sigh>)

 

[Kingpatzer]

Only because they believe there's no difference in the content between an extended, pricier course. I have no problem convincing prospective students of the values of the extended course, but if all they hear is "faster cheaper", of course that's what they'll want.

They are not making informed decisions.

So one goal needs to be to inform the customer, and to figure out ways to do that. But the other side of that coin is that exceeding the customer's needs is not serving the customer, either.

 

[kjack_1]

So one goal needs to be to inform the customer, and to figure out ways to do that. But the other side of that coin is that exceeding the customer's needs is not serving the customer, either.

Correct. Quality vs. quantity. IMHO - develop the course first, then work the marketing system. If it's an effective and affective product people will come. If it's not, then the product should be tweaked. I guess the choice would be to either dumb it down or dumb it up. Dunno. But if you dumb it down - then your right back where you started from.

K

 

[Diver0001]

Hey guys.

I see a huge amount of discussion on this board about what should or should not be taught within a scuba course. There's a lot of questions about what is necessary skills and what isn't. There is, in short, a huge variability in thoughts on how OW should be taught.

This is such a great idea..... I don't even know where to begin....

I think you need to define some parameters. Taking the three elements of "time" "quality" and "profitability" and spreading 100 points across those three items, what "balance" of time/quality/profitability should our public domain scuba course strive to achieve? How we set these parameters will have a decisive influence on the content of the course.

I think I'll wait for the answer to this before going any future.

R..

 

[Cave Diver]

This is such a great idea..... I don't even know where to begin....

I think you need to define some parameters. Taking the three elements of "time" "quality" and "profitability" and spreading 100 points across those three items, what "balance" of time/quality/profitability should our public domain scuba course strive to achieve? How we set these parameters will have a decisive influence on the content of the course.

I think I'll wait for the answer to this before going any future.

R..

Quality comes first and foremost. Time will be determined by the quality of the course.

Profitability should at least be break even. Too many shops undersell the value of their class and hope to make the money back in equipment sales.

My personal view is that if you produce a quality diver, who is excited enough about the sport, then they will stay engaged in it. Don't rape them on gear and pricing and they will continue to patronize you and their excitement will bring others in as well. Continuing education will be more profitable with a solid foundation to work with. A diver that stays involved will go on trips, upgrade gear and help provide a steadier cash flow than one that gets rushed through a class, sold a bunch of high dollar useless gear and feels inadequately prepared the first time they do a "real dive."

Above all, be honest with them about the value of what they are receiving.

 

[Diver0001]

Alright....

Looks like the two of us agree so that's enough support to define it for the rest of the world.

Quality - 60
Profitability - 30
Time - 10

Is that about where you would set it?

Personally I think I'd put it like this:

Quality - 50
Profitability - 50 (ie. break-even)
Time is a function of quality

Looks like we're leaning toward the club system as a standard.... yes?

R..