Just finished PADI eLearning

[Hoomi]

As near as I could tell, there are no NAUI courses or facilities here in Tucson. All the shops that teach are PADI. When I started looking, I found one that had a $99 class, but it was very short. The class we're going through has 2 evening classroom sessions, about 3.5 hours each, and two all-day pool sessions of about 8 hours each.

That still may be rather short, but it's about twice the length of the cheaper course.

I'm sucking up as much information as I can from online and magazine sources, too.

 

[tedtim]

The only thing worse than a PADI class is an E learning Version

Well, there is at least one thing worse: a Scubaboard discussion on the topic of e-learning, regardless of agency.

 

[Standingbear56]

I wouldn't blame e-learning for something the instructor should have added. As part of the pool sessions, I teach my students to monitor their gauges at least once every minute, same as you are supposed to scan your dashboard while driving. I also discuss air management with all my students, including SAC rates. I was taught to do this at my IDC/IE course, so I don't understand why it wouldn't be taught. Generally it's 1/3 out, 1/3 back and 1/3 for the unexpected.
No one should consider e-learning as the end all for open water education.. It is simply a tool that makes scuba lessons more accessible to students. It is up to the instructor to make sure all bases are covered. I never assume my students have complete knowledge until they prove it to my satisfaction.
Like e-learning, PADI isn't the end all, it's a tool that can be used to teach a great sport to all who want to enjoy it. It's a means to the end. It's the instructor who makes the difference.
Dive Safe & Have Fun,
George
PADI MSDT 33859
Prime Scuba

 

[askdjasd]

I'm on session 5 of the e-learning.

To be honest, if you hadnt tried to get certified before.. take the actual classes.
In my case, i tried and failed. this was a brilliant refresher course.

The only negative part is using the erdp. what a piece of ****, the text is too small to read, there is no voice and the online dive table crashes my browser.

and on the 5th assessment (which im on now!) I cant finish it because the tools they give you is a waste of time.

 

[hypertech]

When I ran it, there was a voice and an animated walk through for the EDRP. Under the tools menu, you can access the EDRP and print it. That's what we did which made the exercises and quizzes much easier to do. It did have a couple hiccups that were annoying, but as far as eLearning goes, it was put together rather well.

To close the loop on this one, my instructor was/is fantastic. He happily answered all of my rediculous questions - you know, the ones that only engineers and pilots come up with that no regular student would even consider.

I did Nitrox with him last night and will be doing open water probably next week. Assuming our schedules line up, I hope to see him many times in the future as I want to do more training.

 

[sheck33]

It does not address it until DSAT tech courses. I teach it as well as deco procedures as part of my YMCA open water course. Gas management is deemed not important enough for ow students as you are not supposed to dive to where it becomes an issue. Plus it takes up time that could be used for other students.

How can gas management EVER NOT be an important issue on ANY dive
Newly certified divers do dives to 60, 70, 80 feet, gas management IS an issue!

Oh wait, once you start adding more 'complex' stuff to the class, like gas management, proper trim, proper kicks etc, you loose the 'fast track pay for a class and buy a certification' route for students. Heaven forbid students might actually have to make an effort to pass a class.

 

[Standingbear56]

How can gas management EVER NOT be an important issue on ANY dive
Newly certified divers do dives to 60, 70, 80 feet, gas management IS an issue!

Oh wait, once you start adding more 'complex' stuff to the class, like gas management, proper trim, proper kicks etc, you loose the 'fast track pay for a class and buy a certification' route for students. Heaven forbid students might actually have to make an effort to pass a class.

"Fast track pay for a class and buy a certification" shouldn't have a place in any scuba course. Unfortunately I've run across way too many dive centers and instructors from ALL training agencies who have this attitude. Question is, what can be done to change it. Personally my OW courses run about 40 hours, and all the above skills have to be mastered in order to pass. No diploma mills here - you either earn your fins or you don't pass. Yes, I've failed students who couldn't meet the standards! That is how it should be. If I can't trust a student to be able to dive with someone I love, then they shouldn't be diving, IMHO.

Let's fix this,
George
PADI MSDT 33859
Prime Scuba

 

[sheck33]

The anyone can dive attitude needs to change. Until agencies step away from wanting to certify as many people in as short a time as possible, we are going to have this problem.
The standards need to be raised. I am very happy to see that at least one agency has done just that.

 

[Standingbear56]

Absolutely no argument there. I see way too many students who come to class way out of shape for a bathtub, let alone for scuba. While I don't believe we need the "Civilian SEAL" training like so many of us went through in the 50's to 70's, something does need to be done. The bottom line for all agencies is the financial one. If we don't produce students, they don't make $$$. However, in theory at least, the instructor has the final word - regardless of agency. PADI says that the student must master the skills. The final definition of "master" is left to the instructor. However, I've also run across dive centers who "suggest" the instructor pass questionable students. I think here is where we need to start. If the student is questionable but can be remediated, then remediate and reevaluate. If not then sit down with the student and lay the cards on the table. Perhaps another instructor can help. I personally will not work for a dive center that does not give the instructor these freedoms, but I can speak only for myself. It's like a college - they give you the tools needed to pass the course, but it's up to you to do so. Certification is not a guaranteed right, it is something that must be earned by performing to standard.
HMMM, this sounds like a good I to I thread.
I am not agency bashing - I believe this is an across the board problem, and I applaud any agency who takes steps to correct this.

Safe Diving
George
PADI MSDT 33859
Prime Scuba

 

[MtnPlayVA]

"Fast track pay for a class and buy a certification" shouldn't have a place in any scuba course. Unfortunately I've run across way too many dive centers and instructors from ALL training agencies who have this attitude. Question is, what can be done to change it. Personally my OW courses run about 40 hours, and all the above skills have to be mastered in order to pass. No diploma mills here - you either earn your fins or you don't pass. Yes, I've failed students who couldn't meet the standards! That is how it should be. If I can't trust a student to be able to dive with someone I love, then they shouldn't be diving, IMHO.

Let's fix this,
George
PADI MSDT 33859
Prime Scuba

Being newly certified (not eLearning, regular OW course), this is something I am passionate about. It was too easy and I don't feel that I learned the skills that I might need in an emergency. I had two classroom sessions (3 hours each), two pool sessions (4 hrs each) and then the 4 open water dives. I know that once certified, you are supposed to "dive within your limits" but what happens when something goes wrong and you don't have the experience because the training is not extensive enough? I just signed up for the AOW course hoping to get more experience diving under the watchful eye of my instructor but I really believe that the first course needs to be longer, more in depth, more pool sessions and possibly even more open water dives.
How does one go about getting something like this changed though?