IDEA....CERTs
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Kevua
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The INTERNATIONAL DIVING EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION (
my 2 cents would be if you are comfortable with them and the instructors are what you like then go with them. Their certs are probably the same as the others.
my 2 cents would be if you are comfortable with them and the instructors are what you like then go with them. Their certs are probably the same as the others.
IDEA is one of the smaller agencies, but respected and recognized. They must be doing something right because they've been around for 30 years.
How comprehensive the LDS probably has nothing to do with the agency, and everything to do with the owner/operator.
How comprehensive the LDS probably has nothing to do with the agency, and everything to do with the owner/operator.
I thought I knew all the agencies... missed this one. I would say they are tiny. From their web site, they have not updated their instructor list since 2000. The only place on their list that I know (Moby's) has been SSI for more than 10 years (they may have been IDEA before that, don't know).
Don't see anything wrong with them being small.. just make sure you keep in touch with them... as my first cert was with a long gone organization, which was fine until someone stole my wallet and I tried to get a replacement, which ended up being how I got my Instructor cert (I had to take another OW course...and the instructor ended up being my sponsor)
Don't see anything wrong with them being small.. just make sure you keep in touch with them... as my first cert was with a long gone organization, which was fine until someone stole my wallet and I tried to get a replacement, which ended up being how I got my Instructor cert (I had to take another OW course...and the instructor ended up being my sponsor)
I am an IDEA Instructor and am quite happy with this organization. I have been certifed as an instructor with other agencies,but, find IDEA meets my needs and the needs of my students. We are a member of the RSTC.
Cool. Out of curiosity (or perhaps nosiness) - what agency?
It's not an agency I see in my area.......but I did notice one instructor in far south Texas.
I don't know anything about their standards, but they are recognized world wide just like the larger and better known agencies. As for being more comprehensive than PADI, that's not saying very much, PADI's standards aren't all that high.
Ask questions of them and anyone else from whom you might take classes.
Take your time to research and find the best instructor in your area. Next, take time to complete the course. A good course will last several weeks. Don't rush this, it's something you can spend the rest of your life enjoying.
How do I find an above average course and how will I know I've found it?
Interview potential instructors. Most people never ask any questions beyond price. As the old saying goes, "You get what you pay for." Excellent instructors will usually have a higher priced class for a number of reasons. The instructor is dedicated toward providing you all the time you need to master necessary knowledge and skills. Extra pool time can be expensive. Keep in mind; the instructor is trying to make a living. His time is valuable.
Consider alternatives. While many instructors teach through dive shops, some of the best are independent instructors or affiliated with colleges, universities or YMCA's.
Questions to ask the instructors:
How long have you been teaching? Most instructors improve over time. They learn new techniques and get ideas from other instructors and through experience to improve their classes.
Do you certify all your students? Only instructors who are in a hurry and care nothing about your safety will answer yes. You want an instructor who will require you to be safe and knowledgeable before issuing a c-card. An excellent instructor might tell you that he is willing to keep working with a student until the student either qualifies or gives up.
What skin diving skills will I learn? While there is some disagreement on this point, many professionals believe a solid foundation in skin diving will not only make you a better SCUBA diver, it will make learning SCUBA easier.
Will I learn confidence-building skills? There are some skills which have no direct application to a typical dive, but which do build your confidence as well as your abilities. This, combined with an understanding of the panic cycle, will make you much less likely to panic.
Do you teach the panic cycle? Panic is the most dangerous aspect of diving. Many instructors do not understand panic and believe there is no way to combat it. In actuality, panic is understood. It is though learning the panic cycle and by increasing skill levels that panic is avoided.
Do your students swim with their hands? This will let you know if the instructor pays attention to details. Good divers do not use their hands for swimming.
Do you work on trim? Divers should usually be horizontal in the water. Good instructors will see that students are striving towards good trim. Poor instructors often neglect it.
Do you overweight your students? Many instructors overweight students. It is not a good practice.
What method do you use to correctly weight your students? Any answer that does not involve actually getting in the water means you want to avoid that instructor.
How many people will be in my class? Small classes are better. You'll have more individual attention. Unless the instructor is using certified assistants, more than four students are difficult to watch.
How many certified assistants will you be using? Unless the class is relatively large (more than 4 students) this should not be an issue. An instructor should have a certified Divemaster or Assistant Instructor for every two students over four. There are times when divers working on their Divemaster or Assistant Instructor certifications assist with a class. This is normal and not an issue, but they do not count toward the assistants an instructor should have when working with larger classes.
Will I be learning skills kneeling on the pool bottom or mid-water? This question is not critical, but will let you know if you've found an instructor who has a great deal on the ball. The over whelming majority of instructors (even good instructors) teach skills kneeling on the bottom. Don't eliminate instructors who do. Some instructors have realized your mask will flood while you are swimming, not when you are sitting on the bottom. You need to learn skills in the manner in which you'll be using them.
Do you dive for fun or just when you are teaching? Instructors who've stopped diving for fun are burned out.
Questions to ask yourself:
Is the instructor patient? While talking with your potential instructor, you should be getting a feel for his personality. Patience is an important quality for an instructor. You want to avoid instructors with a drill sergeant demeanor.
Would I be happier learning from a man or a woman? Only you can answer that question, but in general it is not usually a serious consideration. There are excellent instructors and there are poor instructors. Men and women fall into both groups.
Ask questions of them and anyone else from whom you might take classes.
Take your time to research and find the best instructor in your area. Next, take time to complete the course. A good course will last several weeks. Don't rush this, it's something you can spend the rest of your life enjoying.
How do I find an above average course and how will I know I've found it?
Interview potential instructors. Most people never ask any questions beyond price. As the old saying goes, "You get what you pay for." Excellent instructors will usually have a higher priced class for a number of reasons. The instructor is dedicated toward providing you all the time you need to master necessary knowledge and skills. Extra pool time can be expensive. Keep in mind; the instructor is trying to make a living. His time is valuable.
Consider alternatives. While many instructors teach through dive shops, some of the best are independent instructors or affiliated with colleges, universities or YMCA's.
Questions to ask the instructors:
How long have you been teaching? Most instructors improve over time. They learn new techniques and get ideas from other instructors and through experience to improve their classes.
Do you certify all your students? Only instructors who are in a hurry and care nothing about your safety will answer yes. You want an instructor who will require you to be safe and knowledgeable before issuing a c-card. An excellent instructor might tell you that he is willing to keep working with a student until the student either qualifies or gives up.
What skin diving skills will I learn? While there is some disagreement on this point, many professionals believe a solid foundation in skin diving will not only make you a better SCUBA diver, it will make learning SCUBA easier.
Will I learn confidence-building skills? There are some skills which have no direct application to a typical dive, but which do build your confidence as well as your abilities. This, combined with an understanding of the panic cycle, will make you much less likely to panic.
Do you teach the panic cycle? Panic is the most dangerous aspect of diving. Many instructors do not understand panic and believe there is no way to combat it. In actuality, panic is understood. It is though learning the panic cycle and by increasing skill levels that panic is avoided.
Do your students swim with their hands? This will let you know if the instructor pays attention to details. Good divers do not use their hands for swimming.
Do you work on trim? Divers should usually be horizontal in the water. Good instructors will see that students are striving towards good trim. Poor instructors often neglect it.
Do you overweight your students? Many instructors overweight students. It is not a good practice.
What method do you use to correctly weight your students? Any answer that does not involve actually getting in the water means you want to avoid that instructor.
How many people will be in my class? Small classes are better. You'll have more individual attention. Unless the instructor is using certified assistants, more than four students are difficult to watch.
How many certified assistants will you be using? Unless the class is relatively large (more than 4 students) this should not be an issue. An instructor should have a certified Divemaster or Assistant Instructor for every two students over four. There are times when divers working on their Divemaster or Assistant Instructor certifications assist with a class. This is normal and not an issue, but they do not count toward the assistants an instructor should have when working with larger classes.
Will I be learning skills kneeling on the pool bottom or mid-water? This question is not critical, but will let you know if you've found an instructor who has a great deal on the ball. The over whelming majority of instructors (even good instructors) teach skills kneeling on the bottom. Don't eliminate instructors who do. Some instructors have realized your mask will flood while you are swimming, not when you are sitting on the bottom. You need to learn skills in the manner in which you'll be using them.
Do you dive for fun or just when you are teaching? Instructors who've stopped diving for fun are burned out.
Questions to ask yourself:
Is the instructor patient? While talking with your potential instructor, you should be getting a feel for his personality. Patience is an important quality for an instructor. You want to avoid instructors with a drill sergeant demeanor.
Would I be happier learning from a man or a woman? Only you can answer that question, but in general it is not usually a serious consideration. There are excellent instructors and there are poor instructors. Men and women fall into both groups.
Well it was in Destin, Fl, in ....1966. I had completely forgotten the name, except it is on one of my old dive logs... (why I did not loose that one log is a mystery to me)
It was called Resort Diving International (or something very close). In the area, at the time there was NAUI and them. But NAUI was in Fort Walton, and these guys taught out of the Tenn Motel (where I was staying with the family that owned the Motel) My guess would have been that they were somewhat larger on the gulf coast than NAUI was.
I had my wallet stolen in late 71 or the beginning of 72... and they had been long gone by then. Which meant going back to school if I wanted to dive. Wow, a long time ago.
I did my OW with IDEA. It was a good course. The instructor was very good. Everything else I have done has been with other agencies. In comparison to what I see being taught in other agencies, I would say it was a very solid course. I was certainly happy with it.
Oh and my instructor was from Florida. Long story.
Oh and my instructor was from Florida. Long story.
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