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As an instructor I have to say that I see no reason for people to enroll in a class every time they have a question or want answers. In fact part of the problem is that too many are taking classes before they are ready, taking classes that have little or no substance, and not just getting out and diving. And they would not have so many BASIC questions if those issues were addressed in the classes they have already taken.
There is no excuse for an OW diver to have to ask how to properly do a weight check. If they do then they need to go back to the instructor they had and demand to get the knowledge they paid for.
This forum is very valuable in that it points that out. Divers now know when they got shortchanged. Unfortunately it happens after the fact but without being able to ask questions here they would be like I was an go along believing the BS that I was being fed about training, courses, equipment, and what scuba was.
As an instructor I have to say that I see no reason for people to enroll in a class every time they have a question or want answers.(I didnt say everytime, I said for those who have alot of questions...) In fact part of the problem is that too many are taking classes before they are ready, taking classes that have little or no substance(Im not advocating a class with no substance), and not just getting out and diving (Most classes would include diving) . And they would not have so many BASIC (Im not talking about basic questions...) questions if those issues were addressed in the classes they have already taken. (A weighting question, as I have answered a few... Tend to be asked in such a way that a basic response does not apply... Some are looking for mass/volume/density formulas, they just dont know it. Infamous fresh water to salt water question....)
There is no excuse for an OW diver to have to ask how to properly do a weight check.Agreed If they do then they need to go back to the instructor they had and demand to get the knowledge they paid for.
This forum is very valuable in that it points that out. Divers now know when they got shortchanged. Unfortunately it happens after the fact but without being able to ask questions here they would be like I was an go along believing the BS that I was being fed about training, courses, equipment, and what scuba was.
Well, im sorry for whatever bad experiance you've had, or those you know.. But conitinuing education in some form or another is key to diver safety. Please correct me if im wrong but it seems you dont agree with that, It seems you think that they should be taught everything in their first open water class... Im probably not getting your context right..
Great points, Jim. I'm currently frustrated and disappointed with the AOW class I've taken. Not to turn this thread into a whine and cheese, but for any diver who has more than 50 dives and is very confident in their abilities, at this point I would recommend skipping the $1,000 (class and diving) AOW and just buy a nice computer and teach yourself how to use it.
OK, education is important, I'll agree. So if y'all want to line me up against the firing squad wall...have at it.
I do believe in continuing education. IMO Scubaboard, The Deco Stop, The Cyber Diver, and all the other on line forums are a form of continuing education. They do not require a checkbook or Visa card. The key to diver safety is a solid understanding of the basics - including rescue skills - that used to be part of every OW program.