AfterDark
Contributor
Very interesting thread. Though I don't agree 100% with Thal he does make very good points. I also make a point of diving with new divers as a way of giving back promoting the sport and making sure there are people I know that I feel comfortable diving with! The lack of what I consider basic knowledge is worrysome to me.
Seems like every time I try to explain something to one of these new divers I have to explain something else 1st so'll they'll understand what the heck I'm talking about in the 1st place! Not that I mind I'm just surprised by what certified divers don't know.
Seems to me the diving industry is trying to walk a very fine line. On one side of the line is quality training on the other side is a desire to certify people to keep the business going. The quailty of training accepted by some? most? all? of the agencies appears to have taken a backseat.
IMO the oppotunity for someone to be able to go on vaction, take a 4 day course and be called certified is chilling and not good for the sport in the long run.
Seems like every time I try to explain something to one of these new divers I have to explain something else 1st so'll they'll understand what the heck I'm talking about in the 1st place! Not that I mind I'm just surprised by what certified divers don't know.
Seems to me the diving industry is trying to walk a very fine line. On one side of the line is quality training on the other side is a desire to certify people to keep the business going. The quailty of training accepted by some? most? all? of the agencies appears to have taken a backseat.
IMO the oppotunity for someone to be able to go on vaction, take a 4 day course and be called certified is chilling and not good for the sport in the long run.