Cert Trainning doesn't teach skill.

[landlocked]

Just reading in another thread some things that MikeFerrrara was writing (for some of the newer readers, Mike has been saying these things for a some time now) and thought that I might put in my two bits.

I think cert agencies teach us procedures that will allow a person with no skill to participate and stay alive. Once a little skill is learned, the way you dive changes. Agency Certification tends not to teach skill, rather skill is learned from the indiviual instructor regardless of agency. I think that this is what Mike is trying to say and based on my limited experience, I would have to agree.

If you need an example, look through some of SB's picture archive. Look for some simple things like danglies dragging on the reef, treading water vertically, stiring up the bottom and horrible weighting. These are really corrected by some very basic skills. Some of those dive poses are just painfull to look at. No skill, just procedures but most, if not all, I suppose are Certified.

That is why I have enjoyed SB in the past. Some of the skill that you missed in class may be learned here if you pay attention and listen to those that know. (That brings me to an idea for another thread. :10

 

[Doc]

You're arguing symantics... and English. There is speech of many nations and abilities here.

We all agree, it's the instructor. Instruction comes in many forms.

Yes, many pictures are scary. They are but a frozen 1/60th of a second in time.

 

[Mike Newman]

Just reading in another thread some things that MikeFerrrara was writing (for some of the newer readers, Mike has been saying these things for a some time now) and thought that I might put in my two bits.

I think cert agencies teach us procedures that will allow a person with no skill to participate and stay alive. Once a little skill is learned, the way you dive changes. Agency Certification tends not to teach skill, rather skill is learned from the indiviual instructor regardless of agency. I think that this is what Mike is trying to say and based on my limited experience, I would have to agree.

If you need an example, look through some of SB's picture archive. Look for some simple things like danglies dragging on the reef, treading water vertically, stiring up the bottom and horrible weighting. These are really corrected by some very basic skills. Some of those dive poses are just painfull to look at. No skill, just procedures but most, if not all, I suppose are Certified.

That is why I have enjoyed SB in the past. Some of the skill that you missed in class may be learned here if you pay attention and listen to those that know. (That brings me to an idea for another thread. :10

Landlocked - interesting arguments. But... divers do learn (and Agencies teach) specific skills during certification. The fact that some - not the majority - fail to practice good dive skills later is not a reason to criticise the Agencies - or their training methods. Some divers just don't dive enough to maintain basic skills. Some don't care - sadly!

I wholeheartedly agree that instructors (and their certified assistants) make the biggest difference - mainly through good example. But let's remember that not all divers are able - or willing - to dive as frequently as most of the subscribers on this Board do. We need to cut them some slack - and respect the work of the Agencies in making the underwater realm accessible to them.

Exemplo Ducemus!

 

[PaulChristenson]

:wave-smil

 

[H2Andy]

quien es mas macho, pit bull or PADI?

 

[The Kraken]

The United States Army Aviation School taught me how to keep a helicopter in the sky without doing any major damage to either the craft or its occupants.

Flying in Viet Nam taught me how to "fly".

the K

 

[Floridawannabe]

quien es mas macho, pit bull or PADI?

I pick PADI, Pit bulls are to unpredictable

Could not resist, Sorry Andy

 

[H2Andy]

dude!

 

[RikRaeder]

I got "certified" 20 years ago through a smal local shop under the YMCA aegis. I got recertified four months ago through a PADI organization. After comparing the two, I have to say I'm actually glad I wasn't diving in the intervening 20 years. I probably wouldn't be here today.
I'm no expert on the many different agencies, but I found my more recent training much more comprehensive and useful than my two-week course with classroom lectures and minimal pool time 20 years ago.
Methinks that the PADI requirements were a lot more demanding and prepared me a lot more than my previous YMCA experience. Now I just have to go out and practice the skills I learned (just like anything else).

 

[daniel f aleman]

Jessica Alba started diving when she was 13, what does that say?