As a recent graduate of today's diver education, I'm already starting to tire of reading posts that question whether my training was adequate or if I should be considered safe to dive with.
I think I received excellent training and was personally responsible enough to make sure that I fully understood what I was taught.If there was something I didn't understand or a skill I had trouble with,I got with my instructors and went over it until I had it.There is a paragraph in my logbook that I think should be noted:
"Satisfactory completion of this course entitles the diver to participate in openwater scuba diving activities without direct leadership supervision provided the area being dived approximates the areas in which trained with regards to type,conditions and depth."
To me this means that I am not ready to run right out and attempt a wreck dive or get on the next charter to go meg hunting.No matter how badly I may want to.It also means that I am not ready to back up a buddy in such a situation.I need more experience first.It would seem there are more than a few out there who think differently and are probably the cause for most of this concern.
I've read quite a few posts where someone didn't feel comfortable diving with someone for one reason or another.They were "paired up" with a stranger on a charter for example.Well then it's very simple-Don't dive with them.You are the only person responsible for who you choose to dive with.
The diving community is the same as any other group in society.There are both good and bad divers out there.If you want to dive safely and with a capable buddy,then take the personal responsibility to find one.All of this griping about the notion of training not being what it used to be or standards being lower is a cop out.Quality training is available if you go out and find it. Competent divers are being produced as long as the student has the personal responsibility to learn and properly apply those lessons.
Every subject that has ever been taught has had both good and bad instructors and/or courses. And each class also has students that graduate at both the top and the bottom of the class.It is up to each of us to decide which to dive with.
I would also like to note that though my cert is from NAUI,most of my instructors were also trained by PADI and several other agencies.There were also other divers sitting in on my class with certs from various agencies.We had several discussions about the different agencies and what was being taught.It was clear that these "discussions" were not part of the course but I feel fortunate to have learned from more than one camp.Maybe I was just very lucky with the class I got,but at the end of the day the common message was the same:
Dive SAFE....this means within your own limits and those of your buddy.
Dive FUN....this means being able to enjoy the dive because you KNOW that you,your gear,and your buddy are ready.
Dive OFTEN....this means......Well,I think that is why we're all here.
A relevant thread:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/accidents-incidents/306706-personal-responsibility.html