Dive Agencies Pros and Cons

[Walter]

It does not require that they teach beyond the minimum. If two agencies have similar minimum standards, then they are similar, period.

No argument there. An agency that encourages instructors to teach beyond minimums gives their instructors the opportunity to excell, but their standards can only be judged by the minimums.

I think the biggest lie is "XYZ is a better agency because their instructors teach beyond the minimum standards".

I think encouraging instructors to teach beyond minimums is important, but still in evaluating you must go by the minimums. Usually, agencies who encourage instructors to exceed standards have higher standards than those who discourage exceeding standards.

It all boils down to, when evaluating what agency to take training from, you need to base your decision on their minimum standards, as that is all you can be sure you will trained to.

I agree, as I said in post 12:

If you're looking to find the right agency, you need to look at the minimums. If you're looking for the best class, you need to go into more detail with the individual instructors.

 

[ScubaDocER]

It does not require that they teach beyond the minimum. If two agencies have similar minimum standards, then they are similar, period. Just because one agency openly encourages it's instructors to train beyond that level does not mean that the student will receive instruction beyond those standards, as that is up to the individual instructor, and is at that time out of the agency's hands. They can only guarantee/enforce up to the minimum.

This is somewhat an academic point, as IME PADI instructors also teach beyond the minimum standards of the agency as well. So did the one SDI instructor I have taken a class with.

I do think that it is most important that you find a good instructor, and that it really does not matter what agency is on your card. To my knowlege there is no agency that can guarantee their instructor's:

• teach in a style that is compatible with how you as an individual learns
• will take any extra time to help you with issues with skills or phobias
• will make sure you are trained above the standards they have set

Some instructors take the "no diver left behind" concept a little to seriously, and will pass a student who demonstrates proficiency to the level specified in the standards, even if they know the student is not comfortable or even any good at the skill. But a good instructor will work with the student to exceed those minimum levels. However no agency can state their instructors will teach above the standard, or produce divers that are above their minimum standards.

Walter has stated the the biggest lie in the scuba training industry is "its the agency not the instructor". I disagree. I think the biggest lie is "XYZ is a better agency because their instructors teach beyond the minimum standards". Bullocks. A specific instructor for that agency is a good instructor because he/she trains above standards. But the instructor in the shop down the street who teaches for the same agency may not, and doesn't have to.

It all boils down to, when evaluating what agency to take training from, you need to base your decision on their minimum standards, as that is all you can be sure you will trained to.

Unless you know the instructor, you cannot know they teach beyond those standards.

My statement had to do specifically with the comment that agencies that allow for more freedom in their ability to educate are not equated with laziness or would create personality conflicts. There is no guarantee that an Instructor will do or teach anything. My comments had nothing to do with guarantees. It has more to do with increasing the options that are available. If Instructors are limited to teaching the bare minimum, then there are fewer options available than someone who can teach beyond them. And without active oversight, even the agency cannot guarantee with the Instructor is teaching. You cannot know what an Instructor will teach unless you are observing them teach or participating in a class with them. Guarantees have nothing to do with any aspect of my comment.

 

[scubadada]

I was certified in Los Angeles in 1970 by the LA County Underwater Unit. The course was very good and I became a reasonably competent diver. I was recertified with my 12 year old son in 1997 by PADI on Grand Cayman. This was an interesting experience for me and was a very good course for my son. He has become a very competent diver and a great buddy. My son and I have had several additional good experiences with PADI training. I have had no experience with other training agencies.

I would be willing to bet that there are far greater differences between various instructors and classes than there are between intitial certification standards of the major agencies, despite the incredibly compulsive listing by Walter. Do your homework, choose a good instuctor, get a good intitial education and then go diving with continuing education as you see fit.

Good diving, Craig

 

[Vinfin]

Not everyone will agree on which agency is the best, but I think we an agree that they are all very good and that the quality of the teacher and the additude of the student are paramount. This certainly helps my appreciation for the differences. Thanks to all!