... Oh ... let me guess ... you'll be selling those folks an Advanced class, so they can get five more dives with an instructor ... yeah ... that's the ticket ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Actually Bob... if you ask any of my students what I say about "advanced" courses, they will all tell you I don't advocate them. What I believe is that newly certified OW students should just go diving. I advocate spending time with other divers who have significant experience. Better to learn from those who have been there and done that - and to do it at no additional cost.
I have said this before and gotten beaten up for it. 9 out of 10 advanced classes are fluff and not necessary. You should know how to do these things when you're done your open water class. What good is it to hand someone a certification card to go diving... and then - after the fact tell them they need a boat diving course or a shore diving course etc...? Where do we think they're going to dive from when they're done Open Water? They surely should know about shore and boat entries and and exits and navigating these scenarios... and they shouldn't have to pay more for that. I can go on and on eliminating frivolous lets take your money specialties.
Of course I'm sure we'll agree there are some that are valuable. Some so valuable in fact that other posters have mentioned they include those as well in Open Water. I think we can all agree the skills learned in a Stress and Rescue Class are valuable. We'd also agree that those wanting to dive Nitrox should probably take the course. If you want to Solo dive, this is another course I'd recommend. Aside from that - most recreational courses I think are questionable at best. Cases can be made for Wreck diving, Advanced Navigation and Deep... although Deep within recreational limits of 130 feet should be part of the OW course... and it is in mine. While I can only issue that initial 60 feet cert as part of the course... I teach my students everything they need to know to safely dive to 130 feet.
The problem has become litigation in the industry. We all know that many agencies used to train to 130 feet. Somewhere along the way it was decided to change this to 60 feet... for two reasons. 1. It made sense to a greedy industry to now be able to charge more money for a follow up class.. and 2. The agency lawyers pushed it becase stats showed a majority of diving accidents occurred - when at some point during the dive the diver exceeded 60 feet. While most accidents happen at or near the surface, the fact divers had eclipsed 60 feet on the dive - gave the agencies an out. In other words - if an OW diver exceeds 60 feet - the agency, Instructor and everyone involved has a legal out. Students are told - and sign off agreeing that they understnd they're only certified to 60 feet. Go to 61 and get injured or die... and sorry, you exceeded your training. Agencies and shops will accept the risk now for more money...the proverbial put another dollar in.
I have never stated that all of my divers are perfect. Nobody is perfect... but they are competent. I also encourage them and invite them to go diving with me locally and on my trips... and I am happy to help them along the way at no additional cost.
Learning to dive is many things... but becoming a diver is many more. It includes navigating the gear buying experience and finding the best places to go diving on their budget. It can be a rewarding experience for many... but I agree the dropout rate is astronomically high. There are many reasons for this. Poor training and unease due to it - is certainly one of them. Financial considerations are another. Many people all across our country and the world dream of becoming divers... and the initial cost of a training class is really a mere pittance. The real cost becomes the what after. For most, even the gear purchase is a pittance... so now they're certified and they have the gear. The bigger question is where do they go diving.
Not everyone will be a hardcore local diver. Even if they start locally, they usually quit after a while as repitition becomes boring. The travel is where the big expense is in this industry and travel has taken a big hit. People are either deciding not to travel right now - or they simply can't afford to travel. I think the primary reason people drop out of the sport is because they either become bored with local diving and/or they cant afford to travel to the exotic destinations of their dreams.
I hear this all the time. I invite people on trips... at incredible prices they can not get on their own... and the replies are "I really don't have the money right now" or "I can't take the time off." The second is another big problem in our society right now. To keep their jobs, people are putting vacations and fun on the back burner... afraid if they even ask for time off - they could jeopardize their job.
About three years ago, when the economy tanked - it became quite clear the industry would struggle... and it has. There are pockets around the country doing OK... but anyone in this industry that says things are great is FOS. My original post is a cost cutting, time saver, make it better and easier for people to get involved - without taking anything away from training standards... except the inconvenience of an uncessesary 2nd checkout day. I still say, it's not about the hours in the days... it about the hours and quality in the dives. Make it an option... and it won't hurt the industry... it will help grow the industry. Those who want and need the second day can have it... nobody wants to take it away... they want to make it optional and based on need... not just some arbitrary overnight mandate.
