Equipment Specialist Cert Worthwhile?

[Twistedarts]

Just wondering if the PADI equip cert is worth the time. I do not see anything related to repair which is what I'm looking to do. Sorry for the noob question.
Twist.

 

[scubajcf]

Depends on your instructor and their creativity with the course. It also depends on your level of familiary with equipment maintenance. If you are already savvy to the practice, then it is worth little to you. If you have no idea, then it is worth it's weight in Scuba gear.

IMO - The PADI Standards are pretty broad with the Eq Specialist class. There is very little material. More maintenance and minor repair than it is equipment repair.

I personally enjoy the class. I have students tearing apart gear all night long. We go through all the chemicals for cleaning and maintaining. The McNett Web site - McNett - is really good reference for this. The more hands on the class is, the more interesting and educational in my opinion. Talk to the instructor and discuss his/her lesson plan.

 

[PvtStash]

you can most likely get the same information by reading your product manual...

this course (to my knowledge) does nothing in moving you towards doing Any of the annual/bi-annual servicing OR even the Inspections...

 

[Twistedarts]

yeah, i went through the manual. i'm an electronics/computer engineer so takin stuff apart and repairing is second nature. what would i need to do vips and repairs? manufacturer cert or is there and agency cert for that?
thanks in advance.
sorry for the noobness.

 

[The Anchor]

I just finished my equipment specialty at my LDS and I had a blast. everyone got a turn to disassemble and re-assemble some of the shops worn out gear and we reviewed cleaning procedures and in field repairs, but we didn't actually do any of the cleaning. At the end of the course, everyone was expected to be able to balance their reg and set the intermediate pressure.

At the end of the course my instructor told us "what you have just done is exactly what I do when I am servicing a reg. the only difference is that I do this 4 or 5 times a week where as you would do it once every year." And his point is valid. You could do your own services if you wanted, but someone who work on the regs regularly is less likely to forget a step then someone who does it yearly.

I took the course for field repairs. I found the thought of calling a day of diving becasue an oring blew that would take 5 minutes to fix if I only knew how, unpleasant.

If you decide to tak the couse, check with the instructor to see what kind of hands on training you can expect. That will make or break the course.

 

[PvtStash]

I just finished my equipment specialty at my LDS and I had a blast. everyone got a turn to disassemble and re-assemble some of the shops worn out gear and we reviewed cleaning procedures and in field repairs, but we didn't actually do any of the cleaning. At the end of the course, everyone was expected to be able to balance their reg and set the intermediate pressure.

At the end of the course my instructor told us "what you have just done is exactly what I do when I am servicing a reg. the only difference is that I do this 4 or 5 times a week where as you would do it once every year." And his point is valid. You could do your own services if you wanted, but someone who work on the regs regularly is less likely to forget a step then someone who does it yearly.

I took the course for field repairs. I found the thought of calling a day of diving becasue an oring blew that would take 5 minutes to fix if I only knew how, unpleasant.

If you decide to tak the couse, check with the instructor to see what kind of hands on training you can expect. That will make or break the course.

Are you saying you can now (if you choose) do your Own inspections And servicing while STILL maintaining the manufacturer's warranty? self-servicing (even with your equiptment course) Doesnt invalidate the manufacturer's warranty?

If this is the case what agency are you certed under and what brand(s) of equiptment do you maintain? (could you maintain)

 

[scubajcf]

While anyone can do a VIP, it is recommended that you take a VIP Course. Two that I recommend - PSI - PSI / PCI - and/or SDI - International Training :: Home ::. Usually you need to be affiliated with a shop to take these courses. But, that is pretty subjective.

As for Manufacture Repair Courses. They are pretty benign courses. However at the end, you are a certified repair tech (there are different levels). Usually, you can do these at DEMA (DEMA Show - Home) or your LDS can coordinate these. However, they are usually restricted to dive professionals employed, contracted or connected to the shop. Again, pretty subjective. However, if you want to get into equipment repair, this is the quickest way.

The EQ Specialist course is really about quick fixes and maintenance. Getting into Regulator Service is generally outside the course framework.

jcf

 

[The Anchor]

I could service my own gear for the cost of the service kits, but my warrenties would no longer be valid. Much the same as if I do my own oil changes on my car.

I was certified with PADI, on mostly Aqua Lung products. We also worked on Scuba Pro Regs and Whites Drysuits.

The maintenance course is a good first step if you decide you do want to service your own gear. If you take the manufacturers service training, then the warrenties are still good as you are a authorized service technician.

I have no intention of servicing my own gear, I just wanted to be able to do "save a dive" repairs.

 

[Twistedarts]

The Anchor------I took the course for field repairs. I found the thought of calling a day of diving becasue an oring blew that would take 5 minutes to fix if I only knew how, unpleasant.

That alone seems to make it worth it.

scubajcf---- While anyone can do a VIP, it is recommended that you take a VIP Course. Two that I recommend - PSI - PSI / PCI - and/or SDI - International Training :: Home ::. Usually you need to be affiliated with a shop to take these courses. But, that is pretty subjective.

I will be looking into the VIP. many thankyou's to all!

 

[highdesert]

If you come away from the classs knowing when a stream of bubbles from your tank valve or first stage is OK (at least to finish your dive) and when it is not OK, then it could be worth it.