austrooper
Registered
Hi,
I am instructor in Victoria, Australia, and I recently raised concerns with PADI regarding speed at which we conduct Open Water Courses here (2 Days). Diving In Vic can be tough and Im not confidant that anyone can be adequately trained so that they can be an independent diver after 2 days. Perhaps the fault is with me and Im always willing to receive constructive feedback.
Although I accept PADI's response by saying that the course is based on performance requirements and not time in some way I believe they dogged my question.
I will post my original email and their response below and I look forward to comments/Feedback.
I feel like with there response I have no alternative than not to teach in Victoria.
Original Email
"Hi,
I hope that this email finds the appropriate people.
I am a MSDT, who works on the Mornington peninsula Victoria.
I love my Dive school and the owners and operators of all the other schools In Victoria who are of an amazing standard. So in no way are my concerns directed at any individual or organisation.
I must say that my concerns are grave and that it is only a matter of time before a fatal accident occurs on an OWC.
My concern relates to the amount of time that OWC are conducted within Victoria. We certify students in two days completing confined and ow dives during this time. I know that the reason why this occurs is for commercial and competitive reasons. If one school offers a two day course they all have to follow to compete.
I do not believe that in 2 days any instructor can sufficiently prepare a student for Victorian diving. The conditions are tough often with low vis strong currents. Even as a seasoned diver I find myself in hairy situations from time to time.
After each course I strongly advise my students with con Ed and guided dives.
I am seriously considering no longer teaching anymore for the above reasons I have outlined as I don't want to have a death on my hands.
I believe that PADI should force a minimum amount of days an open water course should be conducted. In my humble opinion this should be 3 preferably 4 days.
I also suggest that especially in Victoria there should be a minimum amount of boat dives as I do not believe that shore dives can prepare a student for Victorian open water.
If this email falls on deaf ears I can rest assured that I have attempted to honour my duty of care to my students.
I look forward to your responce.
Kind regards"
PADI reply
Dear XXXX,
Thank you for your email and your compassion abut scuba diving. PADIs teaching philosophy is based on performance and not on time. Whilst it might be possible in some areas, with some students to complete an Open Water course in a minimum time frame, this is of cause not a generic rule. PADI Instructors are trained during their IDC to evaluated their individual circumstance and make a decision based on their risk assessment. PADIs Membership Commitment (Code of Practice) in the PADI Instructor Manual outlines the requirements and every PADI Instructor needs to follow the standards as outlined.
I trust this information has been of help to you. Please do let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
Thanks again for your feedback!
Best regards,
I am instructor in Victoria, Australia, and I recently raised concerns with PADI regarding speed at which we conduct Open Water Courses here (2 Days). Diving In Vic can be tough and Im not confidant that anyone can be adequately trained so that they can be an independent diver after 2 days. Perhaps the fault is with me and Im always willing to receive constructive feedback.
Although I accept PADI's response by saying that the course is based on performance requirements and not time in some way I believe they dogged my question.
I will post my original email and their response below and I look forward to comments/Feedback.
I feel like with there response I have no alternative than not to teach in Victoria.
Original Email
"Hi,
I hope that this email finds the appropriate people.
I am a MSDT, who works on the Mornington peninsula Victoria.
I love my Dive school and the owners and operators of all the other schools In Victoria who are of an amazing standard. So in no way are my concerns directed at any individual or organisation.
I must say that my concerns are grave and that it is only a matter of time before a fatal accident occurs on an OWC.
My concern relates to the amount of time that OWC are conducted within Victoria. We certify students in two days completing confined and ow dives during this time. I know that the reason why this occurs is for commercial and competitive reasons. If one school offers a two day course they all have to follow to compete.
I do not believe that in 2 days any instructor can sufficiently prepare a student for Victorian diving. The conditions are tough often with low vis strong currents. Even as a seasoned diver I find myself in hairy situations from time to time.
After each course I strongly advise my students with con Ed and guided dives.
I am seriously considering no longer teaching anymore for the above reasons I have outlined as I don't want to have a death on my hands.
I believe that PADI should force a minimum amount of days an open water course should be conducted. In my humble opinion this should be 3 preferably 4 days.
I also suggest that especially in Victoria there should be a minimum amount of boat dives as I do not believe that shore dives can prepare a student for Victorian open water.
If this email falls on deaf ears I can rest assured that I have attempted to honour my duty of care to my students.
I look forward to your responce.
Kind regards"
PADI reply
Dear XXXX,
Thank you for your email and your compassion abut scuba diving. PADIs teaching philosophy is based on performance and not on time. Whilst it might be possible in some areas, with some students to complete an Open Water course in a minimum time frame, this is of cause not a generic rule. PADI Instructors are trained during their IDC to evaluated their individual circumstance and make a decision based on their risk assessment. PADIs Membership Commitment (Code of Practice) in the PADI Instructor Manual outlines the requirements and every PADI Instructor needs to follow the standards as outlined.
I trust this information has been of help to you. Please do let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
Thanks again for your feedback!
Best regards,