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You are correct in that this is the way training agencies use the term mastery. For them, it is relative to student level. That's okay. I would argue, however, that it perhaps would be better to use the term "competency." No one uses the term "mastery" the way that PADI does, as far as I know...

I think people have an issue with this definition of mastery. I'm not one to get caught up in semantics, but I would rather see "competency" in place of "mastery." To me, mastery means having great knowledge and skill. I don't expect any OWD students to have that level of skill. They should...

You are absolutely correct. However, an individual's experience is just one data point. If we gather enough of these data points we can begin to understand trends and patterns, and then make necessary adjustments. We cannot, however, simply make blanket statements that all instruction is a...

So, in your esteemed opinion, all instructors must know everything about all pieces of equipment, all manufacturers, etc. in order to be considered competent? I get it. You were trying to make a joke. It failed. Accept that and move on. You had a bad experience with a shop and continued to...

Maybe I'm dense, but I don't understand how this is evidence of widespread incompetence in instruction. It's not really evidence of anything, other than this person is starting an IDC and wants some feedback on good BCDs to use while teaching. No different than the countless posts on SB asking...

My understanding is that these tragic deaths have not been conclusively linked to breaking standards or poor training. In the case of Coyne, I've read it was likely an improperly serviced rental regulator. If that was the case, no doubt the shop should have been held liable. But it's an...

You could care less about the history of it because you insisted it was one thing, were disproven, and now feel some sort of way about that. In high school we had algebra and then advanced algebra. No one who passed the latter thought for a minute they were some super duper elite...

You really need to read up on the history of how AOW started and what it really means.

You can export from MacDive and import the file into Subsurface. Other logging programs might work as well. If you use Subsurface, export from MD as an xml file. It works better that way. But for now I’m sticking with MacDive.

I want to like Subsurface. I really do. But man that UI is just so horrible. It makes Shearwater's look good, and that's saying something.

@wetb4igetinthewater I didn't want to hit the reply button and quote your whole post since it was on the longer side. I would disagree with saying that training students on their knees means their training sucks. It's not optimal, for sure, and I wish that all instructors would move away from...

I think most people accept this. After all, when you are talking about a large number of instructors, a large number of shops, and a lot of students, there's bound to be some issues with a certain percentage of them. However, one of the pervasive attitudes on these boards - at least as it is...

I have a hand mount that I used to use for my GoPro. It worked well for shallower dives where there's plenty of light. I don't leave my camera on record the entire time, though. Editing when you do that is going to be a pain in the rear regardless of whether you use a hand mount, tray, clip...

When I was a DM trainee it was always nice if I received a tip, but it wasn't really expected. That said, I think it depends on how much work the DMT does. When I was doing mine I was basically doing all the work expected of a DM - setting up the dive site, hauling tanks, helping students and...

I'm not sure how rampant it is. But to the extent it exists, it's because people like you gladly take shops up on the offer of paying for the card and not for the training. Not sure why you would do that. You were had.

Some people are fine in a one-piece 7mm suit, but for cold water most prefer a two-piece (farmer John and a jacket). Definitely get a hood and gloves. Going thicker does come with cons. Movement is restricted a bit and there is a lot of initial buoyancy that must be overcome in order to sink...

Isn't this what DAN liability insurance is? It's a risk retention group.

Welcome to the wonderful world of diving! Congratulations on getting your OWD certification. For some people it comes very naturally, and for others it takes a while for all the pieces to click. The important part is that you stuck with it and completed the skills. More dive time will help...

OP, great job in doing what you did, especially for someone as inexperienced as you are! One thing to point out - as you now know firsthand - is that you always need to be cautious and ready to move away when approaching a panicked diver, as they can and will lunge at you, grab you, etc. The...

You can turn out piss-poor students from a non-profit approach as well. And you can turn out solid divers using a for-profit model. I personally know four NAUI dive pros (two instructors and two DMs) and they absolutely suck. Their lack of knowledge about dive physics and physiology is...