Certification-Which One?

[Walter]

As im sure we have all stated before, its the instructor not the agency.

Speak for yourself. I wouldn't say that because I believe it to be false.

 

[JamesBon92007]

Now, given what I (and others) do, we know that it is perfectly possible to "extend EVERY agency's curriculum" or should I say refuse to gut most agency's earlier standards. I use the old NAUI Master Diver standards as the base for my training (it helps that I wrote those standards for NAUI with this alternate purpose in mind).


You can call anything that you want, "standards." That has nothing to do with their quality or adequacy.

I see lots of new divers with excellent self rescue/buddy rescue skills, and I have seen and trained such divers for over for over four decades now, but you are right ... it does not tend to happen these days, but does that mean that I should reduce what I do, just because many others have done so?

.

So, can you tell me where I can find an instructor that agrees with your philosophy? I have two daughters who are interested in becomming certified and would like to find a course that I consider adequate. I'm in Riverside County in Southern California. I tried the NAUI website but found it difficult and confusing. I also tried AltaVista etc but found nothing.

I asked NAUI but so far got no response: If I was certified by NAUI in 1969 and have "Scuba Diver" on my C-Card how does that compare to the current level of training? From what I read on their web site a "Scuba Diver" certification means you can dive to 40 feet and other such sillyness. I might want to go on a dive boat some day.

 

[Thalassamania]

Look into the various Cal State and UC campuses ... search out the Diving Safety Officer and find out if they run an AAUS compliant course that is available through extension. Other alternatives are to call Jeff Bozanic, or check into various LA County programs.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Holy TMI, Batman ... the OP must be overwhelmed by now ... :shocked2:

Some points to clarify ... going back through all the responses so far ...

- Both PADI and NAUI offer eLearning programs ... NAUI's program is somewhat newer, and is customizable

- NAUI does not require buddy breathing in its OW program ... neither do they specifically prohibit it

To the OP ... if you are still with us ...

The most significant differences between the two programs (to my concern) are ...

- PADI's instructional method follows a specific sequence ... A is followed by B, which is followed by C, etc. ... whereas NAUI supplies a set of minimum requirements that the instructor can teach in whatever sequence they deem appropriate to their students' needs.

- Although both teach primarily the same subjects, PADI focuses more on the "how" of diving, whereas NAUI focuses more on the "why" of diving. If you are someone who learns better by rote, then PADI is a better choice ... whereas if you are someone who learns better by analysis, then NAUI is the better choice.

- Both programs structure their courses primarily for the majority audience ... namely the vacation diver who will be diving in tropical locations ... and their standardized course material reflects primarily the needs of that audience. Both programs also recognize that differences in diving locale will require some degree of change from this approach, and both will allow their instructors to add material as appropriate. In the PADI program, you cannot hold a student back if they fail to meet your standards for this additional material ... in the NAUI program you can.

- Both programs allow independent instructors (some agencies require you to be affiliated with a shop). Given their corporate structure, I would think it fair to say that PADI tolerates independent instructors, while NAUI encourages them.

- Either program can, and does, have instructors who run the gamut from barely competent to incredibly brilliant ... which is why people keep saying it's not the agency that matters, it's the instructor. To my concern, it's both ... but choosing a good instructor is orders of magnitude more important than choosing a particular agency.

I hope that helps ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[C-Weed]

I don't have much experience and I'm quite young but this is my thought... For me I have an OW from NAUI and now PADI. I was certified 10 years ago under NAUI and decided to come back in and did another course through PADI for school credit. My experience was different for both courses but one I was only 13 years old and the other I was 22. So my age impacts how I look back on both classes (I was really nervous about doing it when I was younger. That being said, because I had done it before, it probably helped ease any fears this time around). I thought my PADI instructor was better then my other but I wouldn't say the course material was better. I don't care much on who I am certified under just how I am taught.

 

[Scubagolf]

IMHO, it's all about the instructor. If you can get a recommendation (either from people you know or from the Scuba Board sub-forum for the area of the country where you will do the training) you will be way ahead of the game.

Good luck.

 

[tomfcrist]

Thal, once again I am NOT trying to say thatevery agency or that every instructor are the same, or better than each other....all im trying to say is that the basic OW courses, taught by any agency do not prepare a diver to be the be all end all of divers. Every agency has a differant training progression, and "I" dont personally believe that one agency is better than any other. Instructors have the most to do with it. The debate that Wanye and myself were having revoles around some peoples contention that getting cerified OWD through one agency vice the other will somehow magiclly make you a better diver, strictly due to the way that the S&P is written. Some of the points that i were making, were for the sake of arguement, not because its the way i teach.

 

[tomfcrist]

Speak for yourself. I wouldn't say that because I believe it to be false.

I was wondering how long it would take for you to chime in. Still think that you arew the best instructor in the best ageny in the world?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I was wondering how long it would take for you to chime in. Still think that you arew the best instructor in the best ageny in the world?

[soapbox]

That was pretty uncalled for ... I've known Walter a lot longer than you have, and I've never heard him make any such claim.

I don't exactly agree with Walter's position ... but I do understand why he feels that way. It's been stated often enough, and it has nothing at all to do with his personal skills as an instructor.

We're all entitled to express our opinions here ... there is no need at all to take it to a personal level, or assign non-existent motives to another person's opinion. Let's keep on topic, please ... and justify our opinions on their merits, rather than the perceived shortcomings of those who disagree with us.

[/soapbox]

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Walter]

I was wondering how long it would take for you to chime in.

Sorry I've been away, but with some serious family problems lately, I still feel my time was better spent away from ScubaBoard.

Still think that you arew the best instructor in the best ageny in the world?

I think I'm a fairly average instructor in SEI. Maybe slightly above average, maybe not. SEI has some really outstanding instructors. I wish I had the time to go audit their classes. I'm sure I'd be a much better instructor as a result. SEI may or may not be the best, but I do believe it's in the running.