Question for PADI Divemasters and Instructors

[wetb4igetinthewater]

@tbeck3579. You may want to consider taking Human Factors in Diving, as you seem pretty serious. I've taken the course. It is excellent, but it is hard to describe the benefits. But that is a universal reaction by people who have taken the course. More information is here: Human Factors Skills in Diving - 2 day class

 

[decompression]

tbeck, youre getting some pretty good info here. If I may, as I see you are in California, UTD HQ is in San Diego as well as many UTD instructors in CA. As mentioned UTD/GUE/ISE have very high standards for both instructors and students but the end result is a very capable, confident and safe diver. The time and expense is usually just a bit more than regular courses. I also teach for PADI and a few other Agencies, I do recommend the DIR path in many situations and considering your inquisitiveness and willingness to investigate, I would recommend that route.

 

[tbeck3579]

I didn't go GUE in my tech route but I have never met a bad diver from that program. There are also plenty of great divers that did not go that route. I assume you're not going to do the dive shop cattle class and are looking for a one on one or small class. If you are going to "overthink" (and that's ok!), you might want to interview the instructor first. Even a phone call will work. Ask about their teaching style, etc. Just because they have an impressive resume does not mean your personalities will click (and that's ok too). It really helps to have both of those in line and you will enjoy and probably get more out of your class. Best of luck!

I agree! I have several options now, thanks to the people here! This is an awesome board and the people here are awesome!

 

[tbeck3579]

tbeck, youre getting some pretty good info here. If I may, as I see you are in California, UTD HQ is in San Diego as well as many UTD instructors in CA. As mentioned UTD/GUE/ISE have very high standards for both instructors and students but the end result is a very capable, confident and safe diver. The time and expense is usually just a bit more than regular courses. I also teach for PADI and a few other Agencies, I do recommend the DIR path in many situations and considering your inquisitiveness and willingness to investigate, I would recommend that route.

Thank you Jay! I'm waiting for the instructor to get back with regarding a refund before I make another commitment. I paid much more for "private" lessons because I wanted to learn, so the minimal price difference isn't an issue. The initial OW course is short in duration so the additional travel isn't much of an issue either. The travel may be an issue in the Advanced Class so that is consideration -- My plan (plans get derailed) was to start the advanced as soon as I finished the OW. I like consistency when learning -- changing instructors is like borrowing someone's car. I can get in my car and go, but when I'm in an unfamiliar car it takes a little more effort before the car and I are in sync Best example I could think of on the fly hehehe

 

[tbeck3579]

@tbeck3579. You may want to consider taking Human Factors in Diving, as you seem pretty serious. I've taken the course. It is excellent, but it is hard to describe the benefits. But that is a universal reaction by people who have taken the course. More information is here: Human Factors Skills in Diving - 2 day class

Thank you! I am going to check it out as soon as I have some uninterrupted time. My dad makes it hard for me to stay focused when he's having a bad day. He is not only having a bad day, but he had a bad night so I'm just now recovering from sleep deprivation. I love my dad and I wouldn't want him to be institutionalized in his old age. I am enjoying the time we have left together. Caregiving is the hardest job I have ever done barring none, but the rewards are well worth it.

 

[tbeck3579]

if money for gear is not an issue maybe you should consider just getting trained from the start in side mount!!!!

Hi, sorry I didn't respond sooner. I missed the post. I'm hoping to get an instructor after I complete the confined dives that will be a bit more helpful and can give some options/ideas. With everyone's help here there are a lot of good instructors to choose from. I went from zero to actually having to narrow down my choices! You, and the people here are so cool -- the best -- honestly! I'm lucky to have found y'all

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Hi, sorry I didn't respond sooner. I missed the post. I'm hoping to get an instructor after I complete the confined dives that will be a bit more helpful and can give some options/ideas. With everyone's help here there are a lot of good instructors to choose from. I went from zero to actually having to narrow down my choices! You, and the people here are so cool -- the best -- honestly! I'm lucky to have found y'all

Please be very careful about whom you select as a sidemount instructor, if you go that direction. I hope to teach sidemount in maybe 5 years.

 

[tbeck3579]

Question about UTD -- everyone in the world accepts PADI as a known advanced diver certification, but the UTD courses don't seem to touch on that -- meaning with their certification I can fly to Florida and the company will understand and respect the cert. There are 2 different GUE instructors in LA and both are also certified to teach PADI so I believe the PADI cert wouldn't be a problem -- but I'm not positive. If I complete the advanced open water with either, will I also have to take a separate test to get the PADI cert so the uninformed will know I'm certified to do the dive? I'm hoping this question makes sense -- my communication skills are "off" today.

 

[tbeck3579]

tbeck, youre getting some pretty good info here. If I may, as I see you are in California, UTD HQ is in San Diego as well as many UTD instructors in CA. As mentioned UTD/GUE/ISE have very high standards for both instructors and students but the end result is a very capable, confident and safe diver. The time and expense is usually just a bit more than regular courses. I also teach for PADI and a few other Agencies, I do recommend the DIR path in many situations and considering your inquisitiveness and willingness to investigate, I would recommend that route.

Jay, your profile pic is too funny. Every time I see one of your posts I smile.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Question about UTD -- everyone in the world accepts PADI as a known advanced diver certification, but the UTD courses don't seem to touch on that -- meaning with their certification I can fly to Florida and the company will understand and respect the cert. There are 2 different GUE instructors in LA and both are also certified to teach PADI so I believe the PADI cert wouldn't be a problem -- but I'm not positive. If I complete the advanced open water with either, will I also have to take a separate test to get the PADI cert so the uninformed will know I'm certified to do the dive? I'm hoping this question makes sense -- my communication skills are "off" today.

I would be somewhat surprised, but not totally shocked, if a certification from a DIR agency (GUE/UTD/ISE) would not be recognized, but that would likely be at a zero-to-hero dive operation, and I'd recommend avoiding those.

Since you seem pretty keen on acquiring good diving skills, why not just go the GUE/UTD/ISE route? The only issue would be if you want to go sidemount. GUE doesn't currently have a sidemount program. I have been told that it is being looked at. UTD has the z-system, and while I see the thinking behind it, I plan on going the traditional sidemount configuration. ISE doesn't have a presence in the US yet. So your choices for now are GUE and ISE. I'd recommend developing good diving skills that you will learn at both agencies (they are both excellent), and if you want to go sidemount, seek out a good instructor like Andy Davis in the Philippines or meet someone like Tom Steiner (who I plan on training with) for caves in Mexico.