The Philosophy of Diver Training

[ReefHugger]

As a group, divers have, in the main, kept government regulators out of our activity due to our self policing. I believe this was changed in Quebec. Is this the first break in the armour?

Imo, threads like this are all part of the self policing process.

I commend you, DCBC. Please continue, there are others that feel just as strongly about the standards.

 

[RJP]

FYI - I hit the wrong poll response by mistake.

:shocked2:

 

[RJP]

Personally I don't have a problem with DSD/"resort" courses that leave the diver dependant upon the instructor, so long as they know their limits and don't dive without an instructor...

...or with me.

:cool2:

 

[vladimir]

As a group, divers have, in the main, kept government regulators out of our activity due to our self policing. I believe this was changed in Quebec. Is this the first break in the armour?

I think Queensland, Australia and Israel are pretty intrusive with dive regulation.

 

[ReefHugger]

aahhh, so there, the slippery slope. Thanks for the correction.

 

[diverrex]

I think this discussion exists partly because diving is different in different places. I started out as a vacation diver with a one day classroom, one day pool, 4 OW dives in Belize, now you are certified. And I do think that I received adequate, but not great training, to allow me to dive in clear warm water at shallow depths without current or other difficult enviromental conditions. And I think this model works well enough in those benign conditions as long as the diver trained as such recognizes their limitations and is with a well trained DM/instructor leading the dive and in small groups, both conditions I made sure to have as I started diving in the tropics.

When I decided to continue diving locally in California waters I realized my initial training was not enough for these conditions so I first arranged through a DM associate to make a number of dives with him (I didn't pay him directly but did pay his boat fees). I probably did 12 or so dives with him. Then I simultaneously found a group of experienced divers willing to mentor less experienced divers and also proceeded to take PADI AOW, NAUI AOW and PADI Deep and Nitrox. I'll admit scheduing issues have precluded me from yet taking Rescue which is a huge oversight on my part as I'm up around 230 dives, it should have happend around dive 60 or before.

I think it's great that there are instructors out there that teach very comprehensive classes over weeks/months. I doubt however that if that is all that existed I ever would have exposed myself to the world of diving. I think it is possible for there to be different paths depending upon individual divers and the conditions they dive in. I still dive regularly with the DM who took me on my first California dives, I just don't have to pay his boat fees anymore, he just enjoys diving with me.

 

[Kingpatzer]

. . . I realized my initial training was not enough for these conditions . . .

Which is one of the key stated l limitations of these types of courses that seem to be missed entirely by folks complaining about the fact that these courses aren't more comprehensive.

No agency that has such short initial certification courses that I am aware of also does not have follow on modular courses designed to take the diver to a higher level of experience and capability if the diver so chooses to pursue the sport in more depth.

Complaining that the industry has made the activity accessible to the vacation diver with limited time and resources when that is what the market demands is about as pointless as complaining about the existence of fast food restaurants. Sure, there sit-down places serve food that is better prepared, more nutritious and what not, but the fast-food chains win in terms of number of customers for a reason. Some of those people will one day also have a 5-star diner in some black tie establishment, but for the most part, they're gonna grab their burger and go. And the fast-food places will thrive in locations where 5-star establishments fail. Welcome to the real world.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Where the problem comes in is those who do these courses and DO NOT recognize their limitations. They are no different than the idiots who go out and buy a crotch rocket capable of hitting 180 mph plus for their first bike. I rode for almost 12 years. Got out of it for 20 or so and bought another bike 2 years ago. I realized what I could and could not do. So I got a 500 cc vulcan instead of a Harley. The next thing I did was sign up for a cycle safety class. I learned things that I never knew in those first years of riding. Diving is no different. People need to recognize their limitations. Macho idiots and those who think they can do everything do not really get what their limitations really are in shorter courses.

 

[DCBC]

I'm pretty sure DBDC understood why I was pushing this point.

Actually Rob, I was surprised.

 

[Walter]

It's not what the market wants.

The question as asked was if the current philosophy is "good."

And frankly, that sort of value question is immaterial. The current prevailing philosophy meets the market demand better than any competing method, if it did not, it would not be leading the market.

Your method, however fond you are of it, is failed as it pertains to actually being able to compete in the market space.

We weren't discussing the market, we were talking about misinformation about a method of teaching diving. You made the statement, "I see is a bunch of curmudgeons complaining about how they had to walk to school up-hill in the snow both ways when they were young." I was merely pointing out why it wasn't valid. Now you quote me and imply I'm off topic. If we are off topic, we're off topic together.

Good is a matter of opinion.

As for the market, fast and cheap will always be more popular. I have no arguments with you on that point. On the other hand, there is a market for quality. I'm not trying to take over the market. I'm happy in my little corner of it. The other guys are welcome to the vast majority who want to buy a card and are happy having their hands held on dives. My method has not failed, it does quite nicely.