I'll give that a quiet Like, since I said I wasn't trying to persuade you.Yes, I get that now. Ironically I’ve now started looking up fundies courses…!
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I'll give that a quiet Like, since I said I wasn't trying to persuade you.Yes, I get that now. Ironically I’ve now started looking up fundies courses…!
In general, one is better off diving with a private instructor than with a private DM; the former is trained to provide instruction, the latter is trained to lead dives and help the instructor.For my first post ever, I give congrats to leatherboot69. For those of us who took long breaks from diving, age and lack of recent dives is hard to overcome. I tried the fundies with a private DM route first. Now I will be trying your route by taking more classes. Cost of a class is similar to dives with a private DM, both build confidence and freshen skills, but with the class one might at least pick up a new skill or two. It’s not easy to be an old noob.
Good point. Some of the private DMs I have gone diving with were instructors, others just DMs, and one was just certified to guide. The AOWIs have generally been better at helping me with my skillsIn general, one is better off diving with a private instructor than with a private DM; the former is trained to provide instruction, the latter is trained to lead dives and help the instructor.
For the money that the upscale classes cost, you can probably hire a private instructor for tailored tutoring designed specifically for you and your needs, so it is more efficient and probably more effective. Think of it as the class without the superstructure, and 1-on-1 with the instructor. You might even get a cert out of it.
There is no such thing as "pro level dive theory", there is just dive theory, which is the science behind the forces and factors that affect the human body when we dive....SNIP....pro dive theory...SNIP...pro level dive theory knowledge...SNIP...when what I actually need to know is to follow my computer, know how to use tables, gauges and watch and don’t come up too quickly, with a bit of science.
I beg to differ - I was just using PADI’s own distinction. The theory taught at amateur level (courses up to RD) is in much less detail than courses taught at pro level. Hence they have a ‘pro level’ theory course. Otherwise why do DMs and above have to do so much more theory than OW?There is no such thing as "pro level dive theory", there is just dive theory, which is the science behind the forces and factors that affect the human body when we dive.
I guess just following your computer is a strategy, but it does not give you the tools/knowledge to effectively plan your dives and understand the "why" behind your plan. If that is ok for you then so be it. Dive and let dive.
-Z
It's a small jump from where you are now to grasping those further details. Pick up a copy of Deco for Divers, which is written for you and me, read it at your leisure, and you're there, without all the "pro" designation nonsense that PADI bestows on it. PADI isn't teaching it at a PhD level--likely not even the level at which Deco for Divers describes it--and it has nothing to do with being a professional. I think you've got more of an inquisitive nature than you give yourself credit for. No rush--you'll probably get to it eventually if you keep discussing this stuff here. But I agree it's not needed for safely conducting the same dive profiles that millions before you have.I know how to use a computer. I know how to use tables for contingency. I understand the basic science behind them. I don’t need (or particularly want) to know the detail of, say, tissue compartment pressures, the difference between DSAT and Buhlmann or of oxidative metabolism to be able to plan and conduct recreational dives safely as an amateur.
I beg to differ - I was just using PADI’s own distinction. The theory taught at amateur level (courses up to RD) is in much less detail than courses taught at pro level. Hence they have a ‘pro level’ theory course. Otherwise why do DMs and above have to do so much more theory than OW?
This makes sense to me. I know how to use a computer. I know how to use tables for contingency. I understand the basic science behind them. I don’t need (or particularly want) to know the detail of, say, tissue compartment pressures, the difference between DSAT and Buhlmann or of oxidative metabolism to be able to plan and conduct recreational dives safely as an amateur.
The evidence speaks for itself - millions of amateur rec dives are made each year and people don’t die in large numbers because of a lack of detailed understanding of dive theory. Even instructors say they don’t really use a lot of the theory.