One saying goes "A little knowledge is dangerous", my contention is that OW training at minimum standards is that little knowledge.
Bob... I guess that I apply the same sentiment to the concept of educating novice/inexperienced divers about deco, depth, overheads etc. There's a limit to how much they can absorb. There's also a limit on what they can cope with underwater, in respect of physical, mental and psychological task loading.
For me, the 'K.I.S.S' principle really applies whenever a diver progresses the limits of their diving. That is especially true for novice divers, who are progressing from 'nothing' to being independent, qualified divers.
It's not unknown for me to occasionally level some fierce criticism against agencies like PADI..
but...one thing I do agree with is their
modular and
progressive approach to scuba training. Of course, this may have originated for the wrong reasons (
'put another dollar in') - but the outcome is that divers engage in a system that allows progressive training, in line with the progressive accumulation of experience - which is then appropriately linked to the progressive development of diving limits. Of course, that system only works if the divers themselves
respect the system and abide by the recommendations the agency gives.
It's a 'one-step-at-a-time' approach. Thus, divers must take things 'one-step-at-a-time'. If a diver prefers an 'all-or-nothing' approach, then a different training system would be more appropriate for them. Such a system would need an extensive and forward-balanced training bias - comprising one, or more, very intensive, very in-depth and very lengthy (
and very expensive?) entry-level courses.
The question really boils down to:
What really needs to be educated, to keep 99% of divers safe?
Recognising that the vast majority of divers opt for a 'one-step-at-a-time' system of education, I'd venture that the answer, in principle and practice, to this is:
1) Recognise that many scuba diving risks/dangers are not immediately apparent or obvious. Common sense & instinct are not enough by themselves.
2) Dive conservatively and respect the recommendations given by your agency that are relevant to your level of training.
3) Establish and maintain prudent personal limits for your diving, especially with regards to depth, expand those limits slowly and progressively.
4) Ensure you have appropriate practical skills and knowledge to safely utilise the equipment and procedures you will dive with.
5) Don't enter overhead (or virtual overhead) environments without specialist training and equipment.
6) Always absolutely guarantee your ability to return to the surface alive. Recognise the value of a direct ascent. Don't deny yourself that value, unless you are certain that your training, skills and equipment will allow you to deal with every contingency at depth.
7) Be aware of the relationship between your dives & the skills/knowledge you possess. Rectify skill & knowledge deficiencies through appropriate training.
8) Seek a qualified second-opinion on your preparedness to progress the limits of your diving, before doing those dives.
9) Judge your own capabilities based on your performance under the worst-case scenarios, not on when everything goes smoothly.
10) Don't attempt any dive that you wouldn't be realistically confident to complete without support/guidance/protection from others.
