to answer your question about UTD sidemount courses, there are 3 options:
- single tank sidemount using a non-isolatable distribution block (rec)
- double tank sidemount using a non-isolatable distribution block (rec)
- double tank sidemount using Z-isolatable-manifold (tec)
those are the only courses that comply with UTD. people who have a problem with the Z-manifold will also have the same issues with the distribution block.
i totally agree on what you say about the sense of superiority, unfortunately it is there. it is the instructor's job not to convey such attitude.
when i was first introduced to DIR, this was basically what drove me away from it. i didn't want to be part of an elitist group, not even be around those egoistic people. big turn off!!
with complete honesty, and i am not trying to promote UTD here, but i have a personal relationship with the founders of UTD, many of the board members, and a lot of instructors and divers. i never felt this superiority. but anyways, who cares? what matters to me is the divers i teach and the community of divers i am creating. those are the people i am gonna be spending time with. all i care for is for them to have the best education/training, for them to have the right mentality and attitude, and for us to have the most fun together and always get everybody home safe. that about sums it up for me at the end of the day.
- single tank sidemount using a non-isolatable distribution block (rec)
- double tank sidemount using a non-isolatable distribution block (rec)
- double tank sidemount using Z-isolatable-manifold (tec)
those are the only courses that comply with UTD. people who have a problem with the Z-manifold will also have the same issues with the distribution block.
i totally agree on what you say about the sense of superiority, unfortunately it is there. it is the instructor's job not to convey such attitude.
when i was first introduced to DIR, this was basically what drove me away from it. i didn't want to be part of an elitist group, not even be around those egoistic people. big turn off!!
with complete honesty, and i am not trying to promote UTD here, but i have a personal relationship with the founders of UTD, many of the board members, and a lot of instructors and divers. i never felt this superiority. but anyways, who cares? what matters to me is the divers i teach and the community of divers i am creating. those are the people i am gonna be spending time with. all i care for is for them to have the best education/training, for them to have the right mentality and attitude, and for us to have the most fun together and always get everybody home safe. that about sums it up for me at the end of the day.