ngdiver72
Registered
As a Certified Scuba Diver for over 39 years, I have never felt that “resort dive courses” could possibly cover the necessary material in a half day course to properly prepare some one for diving. However, if people are not allowed to experience the freedom of Scuba, then the sport will no grow, except for the most committed. As a travel agent, I also realize that some people do not want to commit the investment in time and money for what may be a one time experience.
All of the above having been said, if resort courses are going to be allowed the they must be taught by very qualified instructors that understand that their students are trying a new experience in a foreign world. Below is and excerpt from my client’s comments about their experience at Beaches Boscobel.
All of the above having been said, if resort courses are going to be allowed the they must be taught by very qualified instructors that understand that their students are trying a new experience in a foreign world. Below is and excerpt from my client’s comments about their experience at Beaches Boscobel.
"My husband and son paid $80 each for diving lessons and a diving excursion. The person doing the lessons was very rushed and then when they went out to go diving he had my younger son in such a panic that he couldn't even do the dive (he had never been afraid to do anything and he loves the ocean...he had just been snorkeling the day before with no issues). My husband tried to calm him and then went on his own but the guy rushed him so much that he wouldn't even let my husband get his ears pressurized and told him to go back up (he never did the dive either). The guy giving the lessons even told my husband he was tired of doing this and wanted to go somewhere else. My husband was very upset and complained but they decided to only refund them 50% of the cost. They acted like my husband was making it up and said they had to check with the dive instructor. It was ridiculous. I did a lesson and dive with the ………… resort in Jamaica and it was nothing like what my husband described. Now our son is so turned off about diving I don't think he will ever try again and that is something money can't fix.”
Any diver should be incensed that a potential new diver may be lost because of the actions of this or any instructor. And to make matters worse, only the father and son were taking the lesson and excursion, so there was no good reason for the instructor’s behavior.
The above could be cited as a reason not to allow resort courses, but most certifying agencies have approved some form of resort course. My concern is that an experience of this type could happen at a major resort. Also, the response I got when it was brought to the attention of management was disappointing. I know that Sandals/Beaches if very proud of their Scuba instruction and their PADI certified program. I related my client’s experience to my Sandals Representative and he was truly angered that a young person had been traumatized by anyone at one to their properties, and I feel he tried to do what was with in his power to resolve the incident. You can see from my client’s comments what the resort’s opinion was of the situation. So I hoped that Sandals Management would take the event more seriously. It took almost 2 weeks to respond after this was reported by the representative. The response was in the form of a certificate for a credit for one free night at a Sandals/Beaches property with in the next 12 months. There was no apology, and they accepted no real responsibility for the actions of their staff. I further doubt that this gesture will ever be redeemed considering the experience my client had.
Any diver should be incensed that a potential new diver may be lost because of the actions of this or any instructor. And to make matters worse, only the father and son were taking the lesson and excursion, so there was no good reason for the instructor’s behavior.
The above could be cited as a reason not to allow resort courses, but most certifying agencies have approved some form of resort course. My concern is that an experience of this type could happen at a major resort. Also, the response I got when it was brought to the attention of management was disappointing. I know that Sandals/Beaches if very proud of their Scuba instruction and their PADI certified program. I related my client’s experience to my Sandals Representative and he was truly angered that a young person had been traumatized by anyone at one to their properties, and I feel he tried to do what was with in his power to resolve the incident. You can see from my client’s comments what the resort’s opinion was of the situation. So I hoped that Sandals Management would take the event more seriously. It took almost 2 weeks to respond after this was reported by the representative. The response was in the form of a certificate for a credit for one free night at a Sandals/Beaches property with in the next 12 months. There was no apology, and they accepted no real responsibility for the actions of their staff. I further doubt that this gesture will ever be redeemed considering the experience my client had.
