A list of instuction going over and above the minimum training standards...

[boulderjohn]

I'm a little confused about the purpose of your question. I teach a basic program that far exceeds minimum standards. As I'm situated in Nova Scotia, I doubt that you'll be putting my name on your list...

Everyone is a student. Every student learns differently. People have different expectations. If the reason someone wants to be certified is to dive in 20FSW in warm clear water on their vacation to the Bahamas, they only need minimal. Most of my students are extremely fit members of the military who wish to prepare themselves to become military divers. Subsequently, my course is not for the faint of heart.

Different instructors offer different programs (with the exception of PADI, as Bob has already pointed-out). So I'd be surprised if you receive the answer you seek here. Contact the various agencies and get a list of Instructors in your area. Articulate to these instructors what you are looking for and discuss the possibilities with them. I'm confident that you'll find something suitable. If not, save your money and I'll train you (be careful what you ask for...)

DCBC wrote

I beg to differ. I'm a PADI instructor and affiliate with a PADI shop and I think I'm on pretty safe ground when I say, I teach a very different "open water program" than other instructors in the shop. This is not to say that the students aren't all introduced to the same basic skils but that is NOT the same as saying the "program" isn't different.

Peter, he has been repeating this mantra at every opportunity for years, trying to perpetuate the myth that PADI instructors cannot teach anything that is not in the standards. I grew weary of refuting it quite some time ago. He knows better. His repeating of misinformation is quite intentional. It goes back to a feud he had with PADI about 20 years ago.

For those of you who might be fooled by him, here is an example of what can really happen. In the shop with which I used to work, the PADI Course Director had all the instructors provide him with a list of all the concepts we taught that were beyond standards. He then consolidated them all in a way that it made it easy for all of us to teach roughly the same content that was beyond the standards. That way graduates of our program had a more consistent experience in what they were taught beyond the standards. It is true that the rules prevent us from making a test and failing the students on that basis, but there was nothing preventing us from teaching it until we were sure the students understood.

 

[haumana ronin]

I don't think that anyone on the board is going to compile an international list of the best instructors on earth.

Why not? Seems like it would help a lot of newer divers. Research can be done on the internet, and this is a good place to research. I would say its safe to say that many(though not necessarily most) new divers on this board who lurk a bit has had the though of flying out to Pittsburg or Puget Sound at least pass through their head.... I know that cant be the only possible answer.

Got that right. I can think of several instructors just in my area who teach well above minimum standards. Of them, only myself and Peter Guy participate here.

This board is a big place ... but it only represents a tiny fraction of the divers and dive instructors out there.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Who? Where? Post em...
I think even if most instructors are not on this board, the possibility that at least one of their students or buddies or instructor-drinking-buddies is in here is not that tiny. I wonder how many degrees of separation the dive community has...

I'm a little confused about the purpose of your question. I teach a basic program that far exceeds minimum standards. As I'm situated in Nova Scotia, I doubt that you'll be putting my name on your list...

Its unlikely, but say there was someone who taught like you a little further south. I fly to the US east coast on occasion, and I might be tempted to extend my trip a few days if I knew of your "twin." Now if there was someone who taught like you much further south and west, then I might consider it even more. Know of anyone like that?

Peter, Yes, different Agencies offer different courses with different requirements. The poster appears to be seeking content 'outside of the normal box.'

Although there are different training programs available, not all are focused on diving in ideal conditions (although many are). The only goals that are valid here are that of the student. People should be encouraged to seek training that provides them with the skill-sets and challenges that they wish to pursue.

In following the discussion between you and Peter Guy, I wonder if I am simply asking for the "full box" rather than the box frame that seems to be common. What training is around and out there seems to be industry insider knowledge. I think a lot of new divers, such as myself, would not be privy to this knowledge. Its a "we know what we dont know, but dont know how to find out" sort of thing.

I beg to differ. I'm a PADI instructor and affiliate with a PADI shop and I think I'm on pretty safe ground when I say, I teach a very different "open water program" than other instructors in the shop. This is not to say that the students aren't all introduced to the same basic skils but that is NOT the same as saying the "program" isn't different.

Now this is a new twist I have not heard before. Its pretty common to hear that the instructor makes all the difference, but to specifically hear that PADI training can be MUCH better and "very different" while still within the same PADI course(though one would have to admit this is often not done) is uncommon. Details please.

And as has been stated, it is the unusual instructor who takes the time to participate on SC and share their knowledge with us for free, and generally without even a "thank you". We are very grateful to those that do!

Yes, I have to admit to not thanking contributors enough, so to everyone in this thread and to especially everyone who listed an LDS/instructor(including youself,) Thank you! and keep them coming. And thanks to TSANDM for outing your husband.