It's always nice to be called a liar, even if done sweetly.
LeeAnne -- rather than ask "other instructors" why not go to the source? Ask PADI. The following is what I base my instruction upon -- an explanation of the PADI system from years ago and an explanation which is still being taught (required reading as of 2009 for the IDC):
LeeAnne -- rather than ask "other instructors" why not go to the source? Ask PADI. The following is what I base my instruction upon -- an explanation of the PADI system from years ago and an explanation which is still being taught (required reading as of 2009 for the IDC):
Perhaps this will provide you with some understanding of why I refuse to accept that PADI requires instruction to be at the minimums.An instructor teaches a diver course assisted by the materials in the PADI System. The act of teaching consists of a) showing how to perform skills/conveying knowledge and b) assessing mastery of those skills and knowledge by having the student apply/demonstrate them.
Elaboration/Application -- Because the student must apply and demonstrate his diving skills, not only can PADI courses vary depending upon the student and the environment, but they must!...
Successful teaching requires accommodating for such differences; that's not deviating from PADI Standards. That's instructor elaboration and application to specific circumstances. This is what fills the void between the established base knowledge provided by the PADI System and the individual needs of each student.
Sometimes it's not easy to differentiate between elaboration/application and "exceeding" standards. A good rule of thumb is that elaboration/application helps the student more readily apply knowledge or a skill already in the course through further knowledge or techniques specific to him or his environment. "Exceeding" standards, on the other hand, tends to alter the objective by adding unrelated knowledge or skills for which the student has no immediate application, and tends to make the course unnecessarily difficult.
[The author goes on to give examples including:]
Elaboration: In Module Four, going into more detail about the need for altitude procedures with the RDP when teaching a class in a high-altitude community.
...
Arbitrary course additions "just to exceed standards" can be very detrimental and should be avoided. Adding games and skill circuits that repeat existing skills, on the other hand, is encouraged.
Expanding upon academic material to meet local conditions, personal needs or accomodate changes in equipment and technique, is encouraged.
Hopefully, this editorial helps clear up confusion over what "exceeding" standards is and what it isn't. PADI gives instructors a skeleton -- the course outline and materials. It's up to the instructor to supply the muscle and skin -- elaborate and apply -- to make a whole course.
[This is from the article: Is the PADI System Flexible?, by Drew Richardson, The Undersea Journal, Second Quarter, 1993, reprinted in the book, Best of the Undersea Journal, a text required for study for the PADI I.E.]emphasis deleted