Does PADI permit sidemount (PSAI card) in PADI classes?

[Jim Lapenta]

Thanks very much for the fast replies! The classes are whatever comes up, the next one is Padi deep diver. I THINK it's being taught by the shop owner, who was a commercial diver for 20 years, so I'm hoping it's a little more informative than the typical padi class.

If you are doing a deep specialty class then I'd tell him to give you your money back if he would not allow a TRAINED sidemount diver to do the class in Sidemount. Hell for my deep classes I would love for students to show up with sidemount kit or doubles and a stage. What is IMO unsafe is instructors teaching the deep class and have students using al80's with no stage or pony bottle.

 

[RJP]

My point was there is no need to justify upfront, as that is to imply that there is a potential for it to be considered you are in the wrong, which you are not. If you are not doing anything wrong, then why the need to clarify up front? It's a course, you are intending to turn up meeting the requirements, there is no more need to clarify than there would be if you were turning up in back mount single and you wouldn't do that. Therefore, by definition there is no need to clear it first in SM.

It may not be what the instructor is expecting, but that just means it's different, not wrong!

As a PADI instructor, I would like to know how you'd be configured so that I can customize my course to your needs and desires, ultimately ensuring that you'd get the most out of my class. For instance, if you intended to take a deep or boat diver course in a SM rig I wouldn't plan to bring a pony bottle that back-mounts to your tank or spend any time discussing that.

OP - if you'd rather the instructor didn't know what to expect (or if you have a chip on your shoulder and are looking to "prove a point" to this instructor) then I suggest you refrain from informing him you'll be diving SM. Otherwise... let the instructor know. There is ZERO potential downside to informing him upfront.

 

[Aotus]

I do intend to talk to the instructor first. I was asking here so that if have an idea of whether I should make alternative plans or tentatively assume it will work out. Thank you for the concern.

 

[tursiops]

I would NOT assume it would work out....just look at some of the other threads on SB.
I definitely WOULD check it out in advance....if nothing else it makes you into the good guy rather than the pain-in-the-a$$.

 

[bamafan]

I am assuming you took your sidemount class with Edd since it is PSAI. Please let us know what you think about taking a PADI class after being exposed to his teaching. I would love to hear a review of both classes. I bet one was worth your time and money and the other will be a waste of both. I know where I will put my money.

 

[Aotus]

I would NOT assume it would work out....just look at some of the other threads on SB.
I definitely WOULD check it out in advance....if nothing else it makes you into the good guy rather than the pain-in-the-a$$.

As I said, I will TENTATIVELY assume that this should work out.

---------- Post added October 2nd, 2014 at 06:24 PM ----------

I am assuming you took your sidemount class with Edd since it is PSAI. Please let us know what you think about taking a PADI class after being exposed to his teaching. I would love to hear a review of both classes. I bet one was worth your time and money and the other will be a waste of both. I know where I will put my money.

I think you know what I would say. As I said above, however, I prepaid for the PADI classes last spring, before I knew better. I went back and forth about whether I should take any of the remaining classes. But, decided that if the timing works out for me, and I can use my current configuration, I might as well see if I can learn anything or at least have a good time with the classes I already paid for.

 

[tursiops]

Come on guys, at least be honest. The difference is Edd versus other, not PSAI versus PADI. There are undoubtably crappy PSAI instructors too, just as there are excellent PADI instructors. Hey, I know it is cool to bad mouth PADI, but it is even cooler to have some integrity in your posts.

Sent from my GT-P3113 using Tapatalk

 

[bamafan]

Have you looked at the PADI sidemount advertisements? They are their own worst enemy. I can't believe they print stuff like that. If I was Jeff I would be embarrased with those pictures. I can't figure out if they don't know or just don't care.

 

[Aotus]

Come on guys, at least be honest. The difference is Edd versus other, not PSAI versus PADI. There are undoubtably crappy PSAI instructors too, just as there are excellent PADI instructors.

I know there are some awesome PADI instructors. I'm sorry I've been so cavalier about knocking the agency in such a way that it sounds like I don't believe there are good PADI instructors.

 

[Colliam7]

I have now moved away from all things PADI, but have a credit for a couple more classes. I'm thinking now, they couldn't hurt, and at least it means I get some boat dives in without paying (more) for them. . . . so I'm hoping it's a little more informative than the typical padi class.

While I think you should probably dive 'elsewhere', given the comments above, the PADI agency has no rules that would prohibit you completing the class in a SM configuration.

Will a PADI instructor permit me to dive the class in this configuration??

Possibly. Possibly not. But the answer has absolutely NOTHING to do with the agency affiliation of the instructor. You could substitute 'NAUI', 'NASE', 'SEI', 'SSI', 'SDI', etc for 'PADI' and ask the same question. And the answer would be the same. It depends on the experience of the instructor and their comfort with the configuration. I have dealt with non-PADI agency instructors who would not let a student wear a backplate in a recreational diving class - because their view was that a BP is strictly 'technical diving equipment'.

The instructor is away until next week, and I need to decide if I'm taking the class or committing to dive elsewhere, so I'm hoping someone can tell me if PADI has rules about this sort of thing.

So, you are saying there is absolutely NO WAY to communicate with the instructor prior to the class? Seems a little unusual in the 21st century, but I guess it is possible. That in itself would concern me, about the instructor, individually. I don't make myself unavailable to enrolled students in a course the week before a class starts - in fact, I am usually initiating communication with them (and getting frustrated when they don't respond until the first night of the class, when they give me some lame excuse about how busy they are at work).

The PADI agency has 'standards' regarding required equipment, as would any competent agency. But, the standards are fairly inclusive, as they should be. There are no 'rules about this sort of thing'. Rather, the question is whether the specific instructor is comfortable with you diving in his / her class in a SM configuration. If the instructor has NO experience with SM, they might ask that you use a configuration with which they are familiar / comfortable. That is perfectly reasonable and also independent of agency. I teach SM (PADI). I would be happy to have anyone dive, in a course that I am teaching, in a SM configuration, IF they are competent to do so. Frankly, your card (PADI / NAUI / SEI / PSAI / whatever) doesn't tell me that you are competent. Before EVERY con-ed course, I do a quick evaluation, in / under water, of every student, whether they are diving backmount / sidemount, whether they are using a jacket / back inflate BCD, whether they are diving a double hose / vintage system, etc. As a related example, I am OK with divers showing up with a FFM, because I am familiar with FFMs, and certified in their use, even though I don't teach FFM myself. I have used a rebreather, but I am by no means facile with one. If you show up for a class I am teaching in a rebreather, I might have concerns - about me as much as about you. That has nothing to do with agency standards, rather it has to do with my ability - as the responsible instructor - to be functional in an emergency.

Don't just show up in a SM rig, unless you are simply trying to prove a point / make a statement. Communicate in advance, it will make life easier for everyone. Chances are it will be a non-issue.