certification limits and how they are considered now days....

[boulderjohn]

You're a bit tender about that. As stated, technical diving is a tiny part of scuba diving. it applies to all recreational agencies.

I don't see PADI as derided, but they do have by far the most instructors and teach by far the most recreational divers.

If I say in casual conversation (as I've heard many Pommies and Aussies do) "I've got my PADI", regardless of what cert card they carry, is that derision?

Try to follow along. No one said PADI does not teach recreational diving. What they said first was that PADI does not teach tech, and then they then mocked PADI because only a minority of PADI instructors teach tech.

You say I am tender about it. I guess I am. ScubaBoard has a well deserved reputation for PADI bashing, and I grew weary of it years ago. It is the reason pretty much all PADI instructors I know refuse to tell students about the existence of the site. Since you are among the most fervid of ScubaBoard PADI-bashers, perhaps you miss the derision because you are too busy applauding it.

 

[Wookie]

You say I am tender about it. I guess I am. ScubaBoard has a well deserved reputation for PADI bashing, and I grew weary of it years ago. It is the reason pretty much all PADI instructors I know refuse to tell students about the existence of the site. Since you are among the most fervid of ScubaBoard PADI-bashers, perhaps you miss the derision because you are too busy applauding it.

And you apologize for PADI when no slight is intended. It's tedious and tiresome. But we know what to expect from you, so there's that.

 

[Wibble]

PADI is great for what it is, the world’s largest trainer of recreational divers, especially in resort locations. Most people started their dive training with PADI.

It is a much smaller technical diving agency and the majority of PADI outfits do not teach technical diving nor support technical divers.

Which part of that is PADI bashing?

 

[tursiops]

But can an instructor teach you sidemount or cavern if they only did a user level course, so have 4 dives experience, less than 100 minutes?

No.

 

[tursiops]

no slight is intended

Disagree

 

[Wookie]

Disagree

Cool. I won't let it ruin my day. It's a great day when friends can disagree and still be friends.

 

[ScubaWithTurk]

Most PADI instructors would have no experience nor knowledge of "technical diving". This is because they will be teaching recreational diving and statistically most training is done in resort locations.

This is you making stuff up. You have no idea what "most PADI instructors" have experience or knowledge of. You can guess but unless you can show me evidence in the form of a study or poll done by all PADI instructors, then it is mere speculation.

Also, you say that they will be teaching recreational diving. Again this is false. PADI instructors do teach tech, do all? Of course not, not even close to the majority as the majority of all scuba instructors are only recreational instructors. Does this mean that PADI rec instructors have no knowledge of tech? Neither you nor I can state that.

Also, being in a resort location has no bearing on if tech is taught or not. I teach tech and I live in Bali. I know many dive centers here that also teach and can cater to tech divers. As a matter a fact, a dive center I work closely with is a PADI IDC center and they teach tech on a regular basis.

Now I am not an active PADI instructor so it is not like I am defending my agency, but I will speak up when I see statements that specify an agency when there was no need to do so.

Scubaboard loves to PADI bash, it is something you have to deal with when you come here but it is also a reason many refuse to engage on this site. If you are a PADI instructor, the SB masses basically tell you that are crap and have no skills whatsoever.

So much for being inclusive to all in the dive industry. But hey, this has gotten way off topic from the OP so I will end this here and allow the conversation to get back certification limits, which for the agency I teach for a represent is 20m for OW , 35m for Advanced and 40m for Deep.

 

[100days-a-year]

To be fair GUE gets bashed here as much as PADI, they seem less whiny about it and instead encourage people to meet some GUE divers or take a class instead of taking a scorched Earth nerdfest attitude.
I have a PADI certification and had a wonderful experience and made lifelong friends doing it. I have also had PADI instructors/DMs on boats I was running or owned that were bumbling buffoons outside of pools, springs and inshore wrecks they trained at and were familiar with. As it is the largest agency by far there is bound to be a greater chance of running into one.
As far a the agency and it's business plan, Put Another Dollar In is as much an admission of its success as derision.
Finally, most of us in these discussions represent less than 2% of the board due to our longevity or extensive experience diving. On the worlds largest dive forum that has maybe 2% representation of all active divers.

 

[Angelo Farina]

I see what you were trying to say but come on, everyone knows a rec instructor can't teach deco.

That's not true in general, just for certain agencies. I am a recreational instructor and I routinely did teach deco procedures, and release recreational certifications enabling deco dives to my recreational students.
Please note that I was working in touristic resorts, in Sicily and at Maldives.
Deco can be recreational, within proper limits, which are set by the organization/agency...

 

[ScubaWithTurk]

That's not true in general, just for certain agencies. I am a recreational instructor and I routinely did teach deco procedures, and release recreational certifications enabling deco dives to my recreational students.
Please note that I was working in touristic resorts, in Sicily and at Maldives.
Deco can be recreational, within proper limits, which are set by the organization/agency...

I understand your point. I would counter with this: If one is teaching deco procedures for divers to do actual deco dives, it no longer falls into the realm of recreational. Recreational diving is diving when a direct ascent to the surface can be made at any time. The minute you introduce a ceiling, you have fallen out of that definition, regardless of what any agency would state to the contrary.

Just my two bar.