Is the PADI "Drift Diving" course worth it?

[Bismark]

Stever 2002, the summary of my earlier comments should have resulted in it becoming pretty clear that taking the course was at best a good thing, and at worst, a thing that was not bad, but that was useless. Seems pretty good odds to me. Any instructor worth their salt will give you more information than what is strictly presented in the course outline. If they aren't ask more questions, do more research and they should at least point you in the right direction. Doc Intrepid hit the nail exactly on the head. Their is lots more to any course than what a course outline suggests. A good instructor will flesh out the bones of the course with muscle and provide you additional information. I am always wary of those who tell me they can't learn anything from a particular course. It seems to me that too many of these same people are more concerned with agency bashing than anything else. If you listen to those people that have been around a while they will tell you that you can learn something from everyone and every agency. If I was a new diver and was planning on doing drift dives, I would take every single drift diving course I could find, regardless of the agency. Then I would peruse every other source of information (such as SB) and do a thorough and exhaustive check for as much information as possible. (Just like I am going to do in a second when I do a google search to find out what is in Doc Intrepids "pelilieu pack". The smart diver is the educated diver. I am not so smart that I am not prepared to learn from anyone or any source.

 

[limeyx]

I did a drift dive in Fla while on vacation (in Florida) a few months back. I had never done a drift dive prior to that particular dive. It was rather easy, esp since my buddy took care of dragging the flag float. Also, the Captain gave us a good briefing.

Since I maybe doing more drift dives while on future trips, does it make sense to take the Padi "Drift Diving" course? Are they going to teach me anything worth wide?

Thanks for your input,
...steve...

I thought the drift diving card was what you got when you failed navigation or boat diving course

 

[pupdiver]

Wow, he clearly states he was responding to String's silly post (even gives String's quote). He was NOT responding to the OP. Couldnt' be clearer.

Actually, I understood that he was responding to String's post.

What I didn't get was whether he was advocating an actual course that people can take. It sounds to me like a course that theoretically could be taught. If his course exists, where is it? That's the part I found unclear.

 

[Rainer]

Actually, I understood that he was responding to String's post.

What I didn't get was whether he was advocating an actual course that people can take. It sounds to me like a course that theoretically could be taught. If his course exists, where is it? That's the part I found unclear.

Gotcha (that didn't seem clear in your earlier post). As I mentioned earlier, I doubt any of the major agencies have such a course (i.e. in its standards). Doesn't mean you can't gain this knowledge for $$$, though.

 

[baitedstorm]

Honestly I wouldnt suggest it you've already done it, now aquire the necessary saftey equiptment for doing it saftely again, perhaps a sausage, or bag and reel, and some other type of whistle, mirror or light to get the attention of the boat, then become familiar with using it, and your as good to go as if you take the PADI course IMO.

I second this one... If your going to do basic drift diving (most common in the Atlantic off the Florida shores), familiarize yourself with the equipment you'll need to carry (listed above). If your going to do more advance drift diving (like strong currents, deeper water, and things of that nature) then you may want to consider taking a course. I wish I could say that most Instructors would do you a great service and teach you what you'll need to know, but most wont and you'll be wasting your money. (I'm speaking of my fellow Florida Instructors. Sometimes, I we forget that drift diving isn't the only way to dive and we take it for granted as the norm.)

Something you might also want to consider, most Instructors will work with you one on one if there is something particular you desire to learn (like deploying a safety sausage, carrying a dive flag ..etc..), seeing how you've already done a drift dive, the course may be less then thrilling for you.

My advice to you, if you want to take the course, DO IT.... Just make sure you research your Instructor.

 

[HowardE]

I did a drift dive in Fla while on vacation (in Florida) a few months back. I had never done a drift dive prior to that particular dive. It was rather easy, esp since my buddy took care of dragging the flag float. Also, the Captain gave us a good briefing.

Since I maybe doing more drift dives while on future trips, does it make sense to take the Padi "Drift Diving" course? Are they going to teach me anything worth wide?

Thanks for your input,
...steve...

To answer your question... The answer is NO.

You've already done it... The PADI "drift diving" course is a very basic "how to"

 

[pupdiver]

Gotcha (that didn't seem clear in your earlier post). As I mentioned earlier, I doubt any of the major agencies have such a course (i.e. in its standards). Doesn't mean you can't gain this knowledge for $$$, though.

No problem. It just sounded like he was describing something that might have been from an actual course or paraphrasing from a book or something that could have been passed on.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Actually, I understood that he was responding to String's post.

What I didn't get was whether he was advocating an actual course that people can take. It sounds to me like a course that theoretically could be taught. If his course exists, where is it? That's the part I found unclear.

Sorry, pupdiver, that I was unclear.

Clarification: A PADI formal outline identifies what MUST be taught. The instructor is free to add to this, within reason, but at least what is in the outline must be covered. Thus specialty courses may vary significantly from instructor to instructor, and its up to the student to inquire into the instructor/course before signing up for the course.

Therefore, the outline for a PADI Drift Diving course identifies only the basics, as Bismark set out in his excellent post.

I was trying to explain to String (and Steve) that (lets say it together) "any course is only as good as the instructor teaching it, regardless of the Agency offering it". It would be entirely possible to have a very rewarding drift diving course for divers going on vacation to the South Pacific, and I proceeded to identify some topics that would be useful.

IOW, while the course content I described was strictly speaking "theoretical", I am suggesting that a good course on drift diving could easily cover this material.

I was not trying to be mysterious. All of the answers to those items are on ScubaBoard, they've been posted over the past 2 or 3 years. I will identify them (if I can find them) and post other citations if I cannot. I will begin with a very good article by Rober Delfs published in 2002 in the magazine "Asian Diver". Its a classic and discusses the "Pelelieu Pack" (please note especially the ordeal of Denise and Larry Tackett described on pages 10 and 11, which speaks to the issue of surface swimming after several days adrift):

http://www.tabula-international.com/DIV/SMB3.html

I'll assemble the other items and get back to you.

Regards,

Doc

 

[pupdiver]

(Just like I am going to do in a second when I do a google search to find out what is in Doc Intrepids "pelilieu pack". The smart diver is the educated diver. I am not so smart that I am not prepared to learn from anyone or any source.

Here you go.

http://www.tabula-international.com/DIV/SMB4i.pdf

That will be $250, please. I will send you a Peleliu Pack certification card after I receive your payment.

 

[baitedstorm]

"any course is only as good as the instructor teaching it, regardless of the Agency offering it".

:god: