PADI?

[Miyaru]

Finger reel? Like this? Diving Finger Reel, 100 ft Spool with Handle

Similar: ISE Basics of Exploration (for those in Europe) or UTD Essentials.

Yes!


UTD: no
ISE: no, but I did watch all the videos on how to tie a bolt snap.

 

[boulderjohn]

A number of years ago, my UTD instructor, who had originally taken GUE Fundamentals from Andrew Georgitsis when Andrew was still the GUE training director, had us wait on the surface while he went down to the bottom (about 70 feet) to deploy a DSMB which he would tie off so we would have an ascent line to work with. Eventually the DSMB came up, but it was a long while before he came to the surface, totally entangled in the line. He had, of course, tried to become unentangled while under water to save the embarrassment, but he eventually realized he was going to need his students' help.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

A number of years ago, my UTD instructor, who had originally taken GUE Fundamentals from Andrew Georgitsis when Andrew was still the GUE training director, had us wait on the surface while he went down to the bottom (about 70 feet) to deploy a DSMB which he would tie off so we would have an ascent line to work with. Eventually the DSMB came up, but it was a long while before he came to the surface, totally entangled in the line. He had, of course, tried to become unentangled while under water to save the embarrassment, but he eventually realized he was going to need his students' help.

Yup. In my Trimix class it was the DSMB that about did me in. Three times. All of my other skills were rock solid and a walk in the park really. But that darn DSMB deployment.

 

[Miyaru]

Fortunately @Trace Malinowski gave a solid overview of all the agencies back in 2018:

Agency Culture (Truth in Humor?)

 

[ginti]

It's the usual thing. Average user of ScubaBoard is way more dedicated to skills than average divers. People here took fundies, itt, do tech or cave diving, have hundreds of dives... and even if someone didn't, he/she is here reading the importance of skills, so probably is doing something to learn properly and to practice.

But the average diver, who took OW at the Bahamas three years ago, did 10 dives last year always holding the hand of the DM? Maybe can forget the SMB procedure, and even after building a bit of experience and becoming solid with buoyancy and trim, might be in need of a class for the SMB (or whatever other skill)

PADI specialities are clearly not designed for accomplished divers, but more for average divers. And, I guess, even very skilled divers can find them useful depending on circumstances

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

There was no SMB use when I took PADI classes in the late 90’s.
It wasn’t until TDI that I used or even heard of SMB’s.
Do they teach shooting bags in PADI recreational courses now?

 

[Manatee Diver]

Do they teach shooting bags in PADI recreational courses now?

I only did one as part of my drift dive for AOW, but I don't think that was part of the required skills. And again for my PADI solo card.

 

[Edward3c]

I use a reel; fundies no - the head of GUE in the UK made fun of BSAC buoyancy until they attempted the Buoyancy & Trim workshop - not a squeak out of them for a number of years now.

 

[tursiops]

There was no SMB use when I took PADI classes in the late 90’s.
It wasn’t until TDI that I used or even heard of SMB’s.
Do they teach shooting bags in PADI recreational courses now?

New skill in the OW class now.

Although it is instructor-optional to do it underwater, at least it is there!

 

[ToneNQ]

I started with SSI, it was knees based. When I went to PADI it was knees. If that shop was still running it would be interesting if they would teach NB, because the tides/currents and the wave surge were a handful for divers with 1-4 dives in their lifetime. I've paid zero attention to how SDI do it, but I'll keep an eye out on the next trip. Regarding DSMB, my PADI shop was heading that way in 2008 but hadn't figured out much beyond selling them when I quit. Which is my view of the PADI marketing approach, first establish the market/create interest, then provide the service.

Specialities, I've done a few, had a lot of fun, learned some stuff, though too often it was not enough to justify the cost so I stopped. Nav was great, the instructors set up an underwater orienteering course and we did it at 5min intervals. Specialties really shouldn't illicit such strong feelings. They're optional until you want to hire a drysuit or a DPV, then they're necessary. My naturalist instructor was a marine biologist so it was criminal he got paid a dive instructor's wage for the knowledge he brought to that course.

The gripe I have/had is regional, but the agency does/did foster the environment where the behaviour occurs and it does become representative of them. Students ask a question about buoyancy, instructor's response is to offer a PPB specialty. Easy to be critical when it's not how I make my living, but I don't like it. That and the PADI cost is never the full cost, there is always a ferry ticket or a pool fee or a tax that wasn't included. The 50th time it happens you either make your peace with it or lose the plot. Always felt like false advertising to me.

Regarding ITT, it was never offered to me. Never did fundies, its not available near me and that style of instruction isn't my thing so its unlikely I'd do it anyway. For DSMB its finger spools, oral or power inflate.