I had not looked at the Go Pro section lately and when I did the other day saw this thread. Took awhile to read through all the posts but I did. This is a good one.
Some posters are so bias on one side or the other it's amazing. Some seem to really learn something they had not considered before either way, and a couple appear "stuck" mentally.
Any how ... my .02
First off, I'm an independent instructor. I don't own a shop or sell gear. I've been diving about 39 years, experienced a lot of equipment and evelovtion of technology in diving. I taught years ago and now returned to it about 3 years ago.
I've trained as a DMC and worked as a DM. I've enjoyed each step along the way.
I've sought to expose myself to the different realms of diving, TEC/Cave/Rebreather/Repair/etc, and the equipment that is used, so I know the basics of those areas.
I've worked for more than one of the Big Shops and had to drink their kool-aid, of equipment use/sales or not work. I've been around the smaller shops that go the other way and embrace everything you could think of.
NOW, in relationship to this thread: I recently had a diver ask about working with me on his Rescue and DMC, in route to his later IDC.
When we met to discuss the training, I asked him to bring in his equipment as I had not dove or trained with him before. When we met, I could see he was a BP&W user and told him up front, that if he elected to do his DMC with me, that I'd want him to use the same type gear the OW students use. If he wanted, he could use one of my spare jacket style BCDs.
I did not ask him to use it during his Rescue, but during that training, after he had gotten in and out of his BP&W a "few" times, he switched to an extra BCD with the quick releases. I think a little note formed in his head.
But as a DMC helping with Rescue, I'd be asking him to use one of my BCDs.
As a side note, his Octo hose was standard length. but black. As it was his alternate air 2nd, I asked that he at least make the hose yellow and offered him a spare yellow mouthpiece. He smiled and said "oh yea, I remember that from OW".
I provide all the Scuba (regs,BCD,weights,tanks,air) items required for OW students. If they want to buy their own stuff and use it that's ok too, but I don't push a person in any one direction.
I always offer to meet any student at their choice of shops, to discuss any gear they wish.
He has signed on with me, he did extremely well during Rescue. He's been a sponge during DMC and has already shown that he'll be an excellent DM and future Instructor.
and no, he's not my slave or Tank-Bitch....