drrich2
Contributor
KWS:
The degree of professionalism needed to give advice hinges on the situation, the advisee and the advice to be given. It would be advisable to be a formally trained professional if one is going to diagnose Bipolar D/O definitively and compare and contrast medication treatment alternatives, like Lithium vs. Depakote vs. an atypical antipsychotic/mood stabilizer with an acute mania indication.
But you don't need a sheep skin to let a hurting buddy going through a divorce spend an evening with you, share what he's feeling, and console him. Our society would be a miserably dysfunctional place if the only place anybody could get advice was from a professional.
Let's relate that to scuba. In your profile's 'About Me' section, you list a number of certifications you've received, including Cavern and some technical diving. Given the degree of technical knowledge and skill needed to safely conduct some types of dives (e.g.: cave, deco. & other technical), I strongly recommend those interested in such get the formal training to do it. You don't know what you don't know, as they say.
Now, for an OW diver with a group in Bonaire who wants to dive over 60 feet deep, or do a night dive, if you're with a buddy or buddies who are comfortable and competent with the dives to be done and the environment at had, I see no reason an AOW cert. is required. Likewise, I've been on charter boat dives in very benign Caribbean conditions (e.g.: Grand Cayman) were we got over 60 feet deep, no AOW required. You can find out what you need to know about diving to 100 feet, for example, or the equipment for night diving, and with some mentoring grow into it. Getting a cert. is fine, but not required.
I did the AOW course and respect it, but assuming OW divers haven't 'proven themselves' because they haven't taken it seems to me a bit much.
Assessing and treating mentally ill inpatients does not make me superior on a scuba forum (neither does my limited rec. scuba training and experience). I try to be rational, reasonable and forthright in my communication style, to express my ideas to question, persuade or, yes, even challenge views I disagree with, though I try not to antagonize people doing it (I find once people feel attacked and go into defensive mode, discussions tend to deteriorate).
People challenge my views from time to time on ScubaBoard.
Richard.
The degree of professionalism needed to give advice hinges on the situation, the advisee and the advice to be given. It would be advisable to be a formally trained professional if one is going to diagnose Bipolar D/O definitively and compare and contrast medication treatment alternatives, like Lithium vs. Depakote vs. an atypical antipsychotic/mood stabilizer with an acute mania indication.
But you don't need a sheep skin to let a hurting buddy going through a divorce spend an evening with you, share what he's feeling, and console him. Our society would be a miserably dysfunctional place if the only place anybody could get advice was from a professional.
Let's relate that to scuba. In your profile's 'About Me' section, you list a number of certifications you've received, including Cavern and some technical diving. Given the degree of technical knowledge and skill needed to safely conduct some types of dives (e.g.: cave, deco. & other technical), I strongly recommend those interested in such get the formal training to do it. You don't know what you don't know, as they say.
Now, for an OW diver with a group in Bonaire who wants to dive over 60 feet deep, or do a night dive, if you're with a buddy or buddies who are comfortable and competent with the dives to be done and the environment at had, I see no reason an AOW cert. is required. Likewise, I've been on charter boat dives in very benign Caribbean conditions (e.g.: Grand Cayman) were we got over 60 feet deep, no AOW required. You can find out what you need to know about diving to 100 feet, for example, or the equipment for night diving, and with some mentoring grow into it. Getting a cert. is fine, but not required.
I did the AOW course and respect it, but assuming OW divers haven't 'proven themselves' because they haven't taken it seems to me a bit much.
You are a shrink and yet none of your postings allow for any room for valid questioning of you position. Any one who would attempt that is shrugged off based on some small flaw found to maintain the distinction and seperation of the superior and the nots.
Assessing and treating mentally ill inpatients does not make me superior on a scuba forum (neither does my limited rec. scuba training and experience). I try to be rational, reasonable and forthright in my communication style, to express my ideas to question, persuade or, yes, even challenge views I disagree with, though I try not to antagonize people doing it (I find once people feel attacked and go into defensive mode, discussions tend to deteriorate).
People challenge my views from time to time on ScubaBoard.
Richard.