Continueing ed credit for Scuba?

[fisherdvm]

I think it is necessary to require CE for divers. However, it will be nearly impossible to get PADI, SSI, etc. to agree on a format.

It is conceivable, however, that a forum like Scubaboard, could request submission of multiple choice questions for a 100 question multiple choice exam. Once you have accumulated about 500 questions or so, you can start the program. If you randomize the questions every month, and repost them, a diver could review the content of his diving training by taking the test every 3 months or so.

By achieving a reasonable score, he would earn CE toward a Scubaboard achievement card. This would prove to diving facilities that he has done some review of his skills. If he score less than 65%, 75% or so, he would wait another month, and take a different test.

Irregardless of how much one studies or review his dive book, simply taking the test reviews the essential of safe diving.

We have enough divers and dive instructors here to create such an accumulation of questions. You really can not cheat on such exam, as printing and reviewing old tests will force you to relearn about basic scuba skill.

A miniscue fee for the test will help to pay for maintenance of database, and for randomizing the questions for a new test.

In no way would this replace a formal in water practical skill review program, but it does alot to refresh a diver's memory of his training 10 or 20 years prior.

 

[Carribeandiver]

Perhaps a much better requirement for continued certification would be consistent diving. Those that dive regularly develop and maintain skills whereas those that dive sporadically tend to re-learn rather than develop skills. Just my opinion but I think it beats being retested on basic facts. i.e. we lose heat ___ times faster in water?

 

[Walter]

Why concern yourself with continuing education when most divers never get an adequate basic education at all? Seems like your efforts could be better directed.

 

[MikeFerrara]

I think it is necessary to require CE for divers. However, it will be nearly impossible to get PADI, SSI, etc. to agree on a format.

How can any certification agency require anything at all of me? We pay them remember? If I need anything from them, I'll let them know.

 

[CAPT HOOK]

That's the dumbest idea I've heard in a long time.
Sorry, but that's my opinion.

 

[Walter]

Don't sugar coat it, tell us how you really feel.

 

[Jason B]

And what are you going to do with these CE credits?

 

[MikeFerrara]

Why concern yourself with continuing education when most divers never get an adequate basic education at all? Seems like your efforts could be better directed.

What I think we should do...

Is develop and post a test for the agencies to take. Maybe we could help them continue their education a bit.

Maybe some of us could be available to conduct some in-water skill work with agency reps also...from what I see in some of their videos and texts, they could sure use the help. LOL

 

[MSilvia]

I think it is necessary to require CE for divers. However, it will be nearly impossible to get PADI, SSI, etc. to agree on a format.

Why do you think it's necessary, and why do you think there would have to be a standardized format across agencies? After all, they haven't standardized their certification requirements, so why standardize continuing education?

I agree with carribeandiver... I think diving is the best way to maintain skills.

 

[MikeFerrara]

And what are you going to do with these CE credits?

Maybe if we ever start trading c-cards like baseball cards we could use the CE credits to modify the value of the cards....for example an OW card with 10 CE credits might be an even trade for an AOW card or any two useless specialty cards.

Maybe any rec card with say...a million CE credits could be traded for a cave card.

Who ever gets stuck with the most cards when the music stops loses.