Bad Dive Master

[MXGratefulDiver]

The other option, which does not get mentioned too often, is you can teach yourself many things without ever paying money to PADI.

I've never paid PADI a dime ...

The YMCA, NAUI, SDI/TDI, GUE, and IANTD have gotten reasonable sums from me for the amount of knowledge I've received in return.

And much of the most important stuff I've learned about scuba was taught for free from mentors.

And FWIW - I believe that we all teach ourselves most of what we know ... about scuba or anything else we do. A good instructor simply provides the tools and methods by which we do so ... and assures that we progress in such a way that we don't hurt ourselves in the process ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[D_B]

I've never paid PADI a dime ...

The YMCA, NAUI, SDI/TDI, GUE, and IANTD have gotten reasonable sums from me for the amount of knowledge I've received in return.

And much of the most important stuff I've learned about scuba was taught for free from mentors.

And FWIW - I believe that we all teach ourselves most of what we know ... about scuba or anything else we do. A good instructor simply provides the tools and methods by which we do so ... and assures that we progress in such a way that we don't hurt ourselves in the process ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Quite aptly said ..we learn better by "learning" than by being told. Give us the tools and the knowledge to use them safely ... Native Americans call this Coyote teaching .. when asked a question, they do not just answer it, but give you the knowledge to learn the answer for yourself.

 

[SNorman]

I just wanted to say a couple things.

First, about the Coast Guard thing. I believe the Coast Guard has a much larger and proficient presence on the actual coast of the CONUS, compared to Hawaii I can't imagine anybody in distress off the coast of CA, OR, or WA who would call the FD to rescue them.

Also, everybody please keep in mind there are people new to the sport (such as myself) who read this site. I have a lot to learn, and I am trying to suppliment what I am learning by many things, such as reading discussions on this board. And like any other message board I have to figure out what is BS and what is good info. Especially when people make statements and don't back them up (I've learned so far that PADI sucks, but I'm not sure why )

Just wanted to remind everybody that there are newbies still trying to figure everything out, and we are reading everything you post

 

[fishb0y]

I just wanted to say a couple things.

First, about the Coast Guard thing. I believe the Coast Guard has a much larger and proficient presence on the actual coast of the CONUS, compared to Hawaii I can't imagine anybody in distress off the coast of CA, OR, or WA who would call the FD to rescue them.

Also, everybody please keep in mind there are people new to the sport (such as myself) who read this site. I have a lot to learn, and I am trying to supplement what I am learning by many things, such as reading discussions on this board. And like any other message board I have to figure out what is BS and what is good info. Especially when people make statements and don't back them up (I've learned so far that PADI sucks, but I'm not sure why )

Just wanted to remind everybody that there are newbies still trying to figure everything out, and we are reading everything you post

First off, the Coast Guard thing is a joke, I have quite a few friends that are Coasties, however it isn't my fault they need to drive around in rubber boats.

Second, this is a great place for newbies to learn more about diving, but like you said, you have to weed through a lot of the BS (like PF, in my opinion). However, Scubaboard is not the place to learn everything.

The best way to dive well, is to dive with people that have the experience, and if you need to pay for it (like an instructor or a DM) and receive a card for it, then so be it. I always hear people saying "I teach myself something new on every dive", but lets be honest, how many of them teach themselves wrong?

I have over 1000 dives and I am a certified (no longer teaching) instructor. I took 2 classes within the last 6 months. Both of which change the way I am diving to the better. It was amazing how many bad habits I had (have) that I am correcting to this day, and trust me... I have tons of books about diving, but nothing is better than being in the water with someone to guide you and doing it. And yes, I got 2 cards out it.

So the long, short of it is get out to go diving, find a mentor (an active dive club is a great place to start,) and read up as much about diving that you can handle.

 

[pilot fish]

lil fishboy needs to mind his manners and stick to the topic at hand and not hyjack the thread to vent his hormonal deficiencies.

 

[Robert Phillips]

lil fishboy needs to mind his manners and stick to the topic at hand and not hyjack the thread to vent his hormonal deficiencies.

Pot, meet kettle.

 

[anakin]

You only need 50 dives to take the DM, kind of surprising (PADI).

its actually 60, but yeah i can totally agree. You never know how many of those are something silly like 20 for 20!

 

[anakin]

wow, pay no attention to my post there.
didnt realize this thread went on past page 1

HAHA, my mind is still asleep. got a case of the mondays.

 

[pilot fish]

its actually 60, but yeah i can totally agree. You never know how many of those are something silly like 20 for 20!

I think I would feel more comfortable diving with an OW diver with 150/200 dives than a 60 dive Wonder DM. It's like, do you want to go into combat with a Sgt with experience under fire or some shavetail Lt fresh from the Point? Book knowledge and pool training is one thing, diving experience is another, IMHO.

 

[cleung]

I think that regardless of whether it was her birthday or not, you should all have a safety briefing after the dive to review what happened and how things can be improved the next time. There's no excuse for being safe or learning how to be safer, even if it's her birthday.