Bad practice?

[Col.Maniac]

Hi, before I start im not PADI or BSAC bashing! just abit worried what's going on.

I am PADI trained up to RD, I recently joined a multi agency BSAC club as they are close to me and PADI does not exist im my area.
They do alot of weekend dives which is good for me . They meet every week day for training and discuss when the boat is going out which is why I go.


Heres the problem One weekday I went down there were few instructors ( only enough to do the training bit with students) also there and a few people wanting to do try dives. there were other qualified divers there not instructors but most of em did not have their kit with them, I didn't either just came down to find out when the boat's going out. The few divers there who had kit( not instructors) took these first time try divers in to see what its like. One bloke asked me next time to bring my kit so I could take in the try divers. being as "Diplomatic" as possible I said "yea ok", the next week the same bloke asked me if I brought my gear I just said "sorry my regs are in for repair". He said yea ok np


This worries me abit as a PADI diver I think only instructors can take try divers in which is fine with me .
But BSAC? Is this normal for non instructors to take in try divers? or bad practice?
As I don`t know much about the BSAC system
Some help on this would be most appreciated.
Tony

 

[6474286]

Tony,

To be honest I was not sure what certification level was required before PADI divers could conduct the discover scuba course; however after looking at the site, you need to be an Assistant Instructor.

Now with that said, I agree with what you have said completely - Non insructors should not be conducting Discover scuba courses for either Padi or Bsac students alike. Like you I don't actually know very much about Bsac, but my understanding is that the certification is very good and they have very stringent standards.

Further to the above, I also think that the initial try dives should be conducted in a pool rather than in the open. Maybe it is o.k to do try dives in shallow lagoons in nice crystal clear warm tropical waters, but in the UK?

Paul

 

[Col.Maniac]

6474286 once bubbled...
Tony,

To be honest I was not sure what certification level was required before PADI divers could conduct the discover scuba course; however after looking at the site, you need to be an Assistant Instructor.

Now with that said, I agree with what you have said completely - Non insructors should not be conducting Discover scuba courses for either Padi or Bsac students alike. Like you I don't actually know very much about Bsac, but my understanding is that the certification is very good and they have very stringent standards.

Further to the above, I also think that the initial try dives should be conducted in a pool rather than in the open. Maybe it is o.k to do try dives in shallow lagoons in nice crystal clear warm tropical waters, but in the UK?

Paul

all trydives in the uk for PADI and BSAC are done in the swimming pool I have had a look at the PADI Divemaster video it does say divemasters can do the snorking bit and the scuba review on their own with out instructors present.
This is why i asked as im only AOW + RD
I am in no way shape or form im going to take out trydivers unless some one qulified says yes its ok for non instructors to take in trydivers and I was 100% sure i can do it
Tony
P.S i have seen non BSAC instructor divers take in trydivers

 

[6474286]

Tony,

I would do exactly the same: I would refuse to take try dive candidates out for two reasons.

1. I am not qualified to do it

and 2. You would not be insured by the diving schools insurance if something were to go wrong. You could find yourself being held personally liable.

I hope someone can advise us what the Bsac view of this discussion is.

Paul

 

[Col.Maniac]

6474286 once bubbled...




I hope someone can advise us what the Bsac view of this discussion is.

Paul

I have thought about posting this on the BSAC forums just change my name but some one may reconize what i fist posted and i may be black listed as an interfering ......
Tony

 

[GratefulDiver]

I'm in PADI divemaster training now. From what I understand PADI Divemasters can conduct Discover SCUBA, Discover Snorkeling and SCUBA tuneups but you must be current on your PADI membership AND your divemaster liability insurance.

 

[6474286]

I have just pulled this from the Padi website:

http://www.padi.com/english/common/courses/pro/divemaster.asp

What can PADI Divemasters do?


Work at local dive centers, on live-aboard dive boats, yachts and at exotic resort locations
Assist PADI Instructors with students
Lead PADI Scuba Divers on guided dive tours
Teach and certify PADI Skin Divers
Teach PADI Discover Snorkeling programs
Conduct PADI Scuba Review programs for certified divers
Lead certified divers on Discover Local Diving experiences
Teach Emergency First Response programs after successful completion of an Emergency First Response Instructor course.


Paul

 

[Diver0001]

6474286 once bubbled...
I have just pulled this from the Padi website:

http://www.padi.com/english/common/courses/pro/divemaster.asp

What can PADI Divemasters do?


Work at local dive centers, on live-aboard dive boats, yachts and at exotic resort locations
Assist PADI Instructors with students
Lead PADI Scuba Divers on guided dive tours
Teach and certify PADI Skin Divers
Teach PADI Discover Snorkeling programs
Conduct PADI Scuba Review programs for certified divers
Lead certified divers on Discover Local Diving experiences
Teach Emergency First Response programs after successful completion of an Emergency First Response Instructor course.


Paul

There has been a recent change in the rules. PADI DM's are allowed to do introduction dives in the pool provided they meet certain prerequisites.

R..

 

[GratefulDiver]

I believe those prerequisites are being current on your PADI membership and liability insurance.

 

[cdiver2]

If you go to the BSAC web site and look for the salt agreement you will see that a BSAC AOW is rated beyond PADI Divemaster.
It may be that a BSAC AOW can do try dives ?. You did state you were AOW.
Just a thought.