How do you feel about PADI bashing on this thread??

[split0101]

Seriously, are there any statistics that prove that the "watering down" of the courses has lead to more diver deaths? How about between the other organizations? Is there a bigger chance of me getting hurt because I got certified by PADI vs if I got certified by SSI or some other org? I havent seen any, and if there are, can someone please point me to them?

 

[Spady]

I agree with that sentiment. I'm not a PADI apologist, but I think at least some of the PADI bashing is an effort to avoid personal accountability. As a student of anything, I believe it is up to the individual to advocate for his/her education, diving or otherwise. If your instructor stinks, go somewhere else.

 

[drbill]

Seriously, are there any statistics that prove that the "watering down" of the courses has lead to more diver deaths? How about between the other organizations? Is there a bigger chance of me getting hurt because I got certified by PADI vs if I got certified by SSI or some other org? I havent seen any, and if there are, can someone please point me to them?

It would be hard to correlate since other factors are involved. Over the period in which OW courses were watered down, new equipment (including safety equipment) came into more common use. For example, in the 60's when I was first certified we didn't use SPG's, BCD's, octopus or computers. Now for the most part they are part of most diver's kits.

 

[drbill]

... Divers should take responsibility for their own skills.

Certainly there is much truth to this. However, a diver can't realistically take responsibility for their skills if they haven't received adequate instruction in them to begin with. IMHO a student needs to take OW, AOW and Rescue Diver (in the PADI sequence) to have an approximately equivalent exposure to the OW class taught decades ago. Of course they will also get more actual diving experience by doing so.

 

[MBH]

Dear God, I need to get underwater.

Me too.

Bashing another agency like PADI is un-cool.....but.... SDI is much better.
Sorry, I couldn't resist!

 

[Oriskany Divemaster]

Certainly there is much truth to this. However, a diver can't realistically take responsibility for their skills if they haven't received adequate instruction in them to begin with. IMHO a student needs to take OW, AOW and Rescue Diver (in the PADI sequence) to have an approximately equivalent exposure to the OW class taught decades ago. Of course they will also get more actual diving experience by doing so.

You're right. I sometimes look at my own training and think that others received the same level of professionalism from their instructors. I had great OW, AOW, RES, and DM instructors. (DIVE PROS, Pensacola Florida, 850 456-8845 Call now. Operators are standing by.)

But when it comes down to it, diving is just like flying, riding a bike, or anything else can be task-intensive--it's not really that difficult if you do it enough.

But still, the question is does the agency really matter? Or is it the instructor? We know that experience trumps the other two.

For the record, I'm NAUI OW, PADI AOW, PADI RES, PADI and NAUI DM. And TDI for all my nitrox needs.

 

[downdeep]

Me too.

Bashing another agency like PADI is un-cool.....but.... SDI is much better.
Sorry, I couldn't resist!

Dude, I'm PADI and I'll STILL dive with ya.....Although you know you are inferior.
(Just kidding)

 

[MBH]

...Although you know you are inferior.

Yeah, you're right, but I do have a really cool snorkel !

 

[dive_lover88]

It's bias,though there's true in it.

 

[JohnL]

How much of it is watering down of the training or just the increase in the number of divers. Diving has gotten allot more popular and commonplace and it seems like everyone is doing it. Well...everyone is taking the class and diving on vacation. With the increase of trained divers you will get a proportional increase in the number of people who lack common sense, the discipline to plan, or just don't have the ability to take it seriously.

Doesn't matter if they train for six days or six weeks. The people who take it seriously and stick with it will pick up the skills in class, with a mentor, or on their own.