Certification Agency Poll

What is your Certifying Agency (Check all that apply)

  • PADI

    Votes: 462 65.3%
  • NAUI

    Votes: 153 21.6%
  • SSI

    Votes: 150 21.2%
  • YMCA

    Votes: 32 4.5%
  • GUE

    Votes: 17 2.4%
  • TDI

    Votes: 79 11.2%
  • CMAS

    Votes: 21 3.0%
  • IANTD

    Votes: 69 9.7%
  • ANDI

    Votes: 11 1.6%
  • BSAC

    Votes: 19 2.7%
  • PDIC

    Votes: 7 1.0%
  • NASE

    Votes: 9 1.3%
  • IDEA

    Votes: 6 0.8%
  • NSS-CDS

    Votes: 14 2.0%
  • NACD

    Votes: 11 1.6%
  • SDI

    Votes: 21 3.0%
  • MDEA

    Votes: 3 0.4%
  • SAA

    Votes: 1 0.1%
  • ACUC

    Votes: 10 1.4%

  • Total voters
    708

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Originally posted by bengalsmgtsucks
I agree...To have NASE really shocked me. Has anyone ever took there course. Give me a break. You can almost go straight from bubbly maker to course director.

What was this based on?:confused:
 
Originally posted by ScubaScott
I haven't been back to this thread in a long time....... since nobody answered me request to have ACUC added about 3 months ago...... I'm glad to see other ACUC certs. come out from under the rocks......

Scott,

Changes to polls can only be done through a regulator. A PM is the best way to go because the regulator may not be participating in the thread any longer. If you're still interested in adding an agency, Dee has made several changes to this particular poll.
 
Stone - thanks for the reply. But I got over ACUC not being there a while ago - just glad to see I'm not the only cert. from what I thought was a fairly well known agency - we all can't be PADI eh?:D

How's the diving on the Emerald Coast these days? I was sad I didn't make it down (especially when we got more snow in March than we did the rest of the winter), but I'll be there next year Stone, bugging ya to take me diving!

SS
 
Originally posted by seahunter
The latest version of the PADI Open Water Course video presentation is so complete that there is very little an instructor can add that would be an improvement. In fact, an instructor allowed to run-on after the presentation could well confuse or dilute the information the new diver absorbed from the tapes. Dare I say that the video presentation is bright, active, energetic, even captivating and that it delivers the important facts in a clear, precise, consistent manner reinforced with picture, sound and repitition? Sounds like a good instructor! But the tapes do it every time, every day, everywhere - that doesn't sound like a normal instructor.

Can I get these tapes on a local Videomat?
It sounds to good to be true!!!

Now seriousely- Even though I havent seen the latest PADI videos, I have seen quite some instructional videos. The problem with these videos starts with the fact that there is no IQ test prior to scuba course. This is why the videos aim at the lowest. That's why they will alwais stay boring, for anyone who's a bit more intelegant than a fish. Add to it the fact that almost alwais the divers on the videos don't really know how to dive well enough and you get a nice, efficient instructional aid. It's good, it may work, but that's what it is- an aid. What really makes the work is the instructor. You can't let people just watch a video than start dive. It dosen't work like this. And if you do it this way, it will reflect on how they will end up diving, and will reflect on how the reef looks after divers that don't know how to dive go and wreck havoc there. This is already hapening. Every reef that sustained constant divng for the past few years deteriorated becouse of ****y divers. ****y divers are created by dive centers and agencys that work more like a production line, and less by reall teaching. With PADI certifing so many paople (and never has it been so easy to get certified!!!) we all should use the next 5 years very carefully, becouse after that there won't be much left. I have seen it hapen to Eilat, and starting Sinai. In order to learn well people should have personnal attention in EVERY part of the course, not just the water. Just like wine- the bigger the factory that makes it, the worse it tastes.
 
Yeah, rub it in Stone! I jumped in last weekend, the lake was a tropical 38 degs - I felt like stripping out of my wetsuit too, and just going barea@@ed! I was just happy the water seems to be above the temp that makes your lips go numb:)
 
Originally posted by Stone


The 7 mil has gone back in closet. At this rate, I might skip the 3 mil and go straight to the diveskin. This has been the warmest spring I can remember (we usually don't get into the 90s until late June).
Stone,
We're headed for the Mica the 7th. May have a slot or two left if you're interested - Island Diver out of Hydrospace.
Rick
 
Originally posted by Rick Murchison

Stone,
We're headed for the Mica the 7th. May have a slot or two left if you're interested - Island Diver out of Hydrospace.
Rick

Rick,

Thanks for the invitation, but I'll be on the road (headed home from a two week dive vacation in Key Largo and Pompano Beach).

How long is the boat ride from Hydrospace? Are there any good boats out of Port St. Joe?

By the way, we had our first 4-diver shakedown cruise on my "new" boat. Unfortunately, I had to call the dive (before it started) due to several small problems that just added up. A little sea sickness and inexperienced divers with unfamiliar equipment on a 80 fsw dive put me out of my comfort zone. We ended up at the Destin jetties.

A few more trips to nail down procedures and verify GPS coordinates, and I'll be ready to invite you down.
 
Well, we're sorta driftin' off the thread, but...
It's an all day deal from Hydrospace - about three hours each way. But we put that time to good use - we generally have several studs aboard (deep diving/nitrox/both) so we spend the trip out doing some real planning... during the surface interval at the Mica we usually BBQ the fresh fish we got there (we bring steaks too just in case); on the way back we stop for another dive on a site not normally dived. It's usually a superb diving day.
We know of two operations out of Port St. Joe, but we really like the way we're doing it with Hydrospace so haven't tried 'em.
Have fun in the Keys.
We expect a full report, of course.
I'm looking forward to seeing your boat!
Rick
 
I was certified PADI in Malta in '84 and I liked having PADI throughout the world. My instructor taught more than they required and I think any good instructor will do that so he will turn out a better student. I've never had a problem with PADI but I think it really boils down to the teacher, if they suck it doesn't matter who the C card comes from...=-)
 

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