Have training standards "slipped"?

[bookboarder]

Mark,

I definitely feel like I had a good instructor. My husband didn't personally get along with her, or really like her personality, but she was a good instructor regardless. She was strict, but we all learned those skills and all of us could do them WELL before we got her stamp in our log books.

I now love diving, and it's thanks to her!

 

[stargazer61]

Then take a non-PADI Advanced course ... L.A. County is likely the best, but kind of hard to find if you're not a SOCALer or GUE Fundies.

This is a bit difficult in New Zealand :huh: I think the closest GUE is in Australia. I am certainly not aware of any certification agencies than PADI that operate in NZ.

 

[underwasser bolt]

I learned today that my son, doing SDI, would not be taught dive tables because they use compters. Problem is, after then second open pool session, they still had not been taught the computers! saving that for open water!!!!!

Have dive training standards slipped?? I posted a conservative thought earlier on this thread, but after this weekend, I think there may be NO standards. He is 12, with a few hours of pool training, no concept of charts, and they are waiting to teach the computer in open water.

I would pull him out, but I have paid for the training, and can teach him better myself. Sad part is next week another couple in the class intends to take their 12 year old son to Cozumel. They just got certified themselves. I can't believe more people don't get killed than do.

 

[DivingsInMyBlood]

how far did you walk to school?

why i walked 2 miles

Sorry if i offended you (being a construction worker, you have a thick skin and we always rib each other for fun), my comments were NOT meant to be disrespectful in any way shape or form.

Chris

 

[Mako Mark]

This is a bit difficult in New Zealand :huh: I think the closest GUE is in Australia. I am certainly not aware of any certification agencies than PADI that operate in NZ.

you need to ask here

There was a store called Inner Realm in Wairau road somwhere that was a DIR set up, but the store is for sale on Trademe so I am not sure what is happening there, but there is a definate groundswell of Hogarthian mentality in NZ, a pretty small groundswel, but it is here.

 

[Thalassamania]

This is a bit difficult in New Zealand :huh: I think the closest GUE is in Australia. I am certainly not aware of any certification agencies than PADI that operate in NZ.

Many instructors do travel if offered the right incentive.

Or find a Hog mentor.

Perhaps after I get settled in Hawaii I'd consider doing a yearly CMAS Scientific Diver/Advanced Scientific Diver program in N.Z.

 

[stargazer61]

Thanks for that cancun mark, i will take a look.

Thalassamania, yes, a mentor would be great.

 

[Walter]

why i walked 2 miles

Sorry if i offended you (being a construction worker, you have a thick skin and we always rib each other for fun), my comments were NOT meant to be disrespectful in any way shape or form.

Chris

Chris, I wasn't offended, I was merely pointing out at one point you were tossing out the walk to school claim that people who think some standards are inadequate are full of crap, then you expressed you think SDI's standards are inadequate and someone could toss the walk to school thing back at you. I agree with you that two days is too short and that all divers should learn to use tables. SDI disagrees with us, and other agencies are likely to follow their lead.

While I am not offended, I do believe the "walk to school" comments are the last resort of folks who cannot support their position with logical points. There's no value in such statements.

 

[MikeFerrara]

I think this thread has been helpful, coming from a new diver standpoint.

I think, also, that a lot of new divers don't take their C-Card for what it is. When we were given ours, we were told it was a license to lean more. And, that's what we're trying to do. I think many new divers think, "Ok, I've got my card, I can go dive and do whatever I want, and I know everything."

Our instructor really drilled it into us, that this was just our 'ticket' to allow us to lean more about diving, the underwater environment, etc. Not a free pass to go out and be a moron, or think we're super-divers because 'I'm CERTIFIED!'.

I, personally, think that that is an imporant lesson that not enough instructors give their students.

ETA: I intend to use SB to assist in furthering my learning, along with books, and future training, and diving. I think those are key.

Actually that "Your certification is a license to learn" speach is kind of a standard and I think, just about every instructor on the face of the planet gives it.

It's so standard that it's become a cliche and it's one of the typical responses given to the assertion that diving could and should be taught better. It's become an excuse.

While it is true that an entry level course and certification is the begining of your diving and there is lots more to learn it is NOT a license to learn. You don't need a license to learn. An OW certification is to certify that you successfully completed an OW course and have already learned and demonstrated the material and techniques taught in that course.

In the words of at least one agency...OW certification qualifies you to independantly plan a conduct open water dives in conditions as good or better than those in which you were trained....that sort of implies that you already know how to do that as it "qialifies" you and you are now "qualified".

 

[MikeFerrara]

While I am not offended, I do believe the "walk to school" comments are the last resort of folks who cannot support their position with logical points. There's no value in such statements.

We who question the methods of the certification agencies and think diving can be made easier are eletists while those who place them above and beyond question are not.

I think they have it exactly backwards.