MIKEINNV
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I am contemplating the National Geographic Certification this Sept. as it sounds like fun. And I was wondering what those who have already taken it thought of the course ?
National Geographic Certification Opinions
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It's a PADI course.
OP
MIKEINNV
Guest
Okay ?
diver 85
Contributor
OP
MIKEINNV
Guest
I believe it is a PADI course. From what I understand it covers Navigation, Buoyancy, and Species Identification. I really do not know much about it and was wondering if any one ealse had taken the course and what they thought of it ?
It's a typical PADI course. IOW, unless you have an outstanding instructor, it follows PADI's low standards. Don't expect much.
The NATGEO course is a co branded course offered by PADI.
It was introduced a couple of years ago as a way to market to new divers.
It combined the standard open water course plus additional focus on the environment. The National Geographic Open Water Course, allows new divers to enter the sport, work on additional Buoyancy and Navigation as well as do an exploration project. Regardless of what you think of PADI, if adopted by the shops and supported by National Geographic, it could have advanced diving signficantly. However, in my opinion, neither group has done a whole lot with it.
NATGEO is also a specialty. It has some buoyancy and navigation skills in it. But they are not much more than what is offered in PADI's OW Course. The focus of the specialty course is really on the dive environment and the exploration project.
These options include:
1. Sketch a feature or defined area of a dive site on a slate – coral head or reef, artificial structure, wreck, rock formation, etc.
2. Survey an area noting all unnatural disturbances (anchor damage, etc.) as
well as the location and type of garbage to create a graphic environmental
assessment. (Be sure to remove trash as appropriate.)
3. Conduct a fish (invertebrate, mammal, creature) count over a specified area
and create a graph showing the numbers and types of species observed.
4. Place a grid over an area (wreck, reef, rock formation, etc.) and assign divers
to sketch/photograph specific squares. Encourage divers to note details about
the creatures and objects in their assigned area on their slate.
5. Map a defined area on a slate – recording depth, measuring object placement
and recording aquatic life found.
6. Using a depth gauge and thermometer, take and record temperature readings from the surface down to depth at various locations of a dive site to create
a graph charting changes. (Must be a dive site where temperature varies
enough to be interesting.)
7. Photograph all aspects of a defined area from surface
to bottom and side to side to create a photo collage.
8. Photograph the same area (fairly active part of the
dive site) over a specified time to create a photo-essay
showing changes in creature behavior and movement.
9. Photograph as many different species of aquatic
life as possible at the site and create a photo-essay
describing the area’s biodiversity.
10. Photograph as many different individuals of one species
(fish, shells, shrimp, crabs, coral, plants, etc.) as
possible at the site and create a photo-essay pointing
out physical, behavioral, and habitat differences.
11. Photograph all unnatural disturbances (anchor damage,
etc.) as well as the location and type of garbage
to create a graphic environmental
assessment.
12. Videotape all aspects of a defined area from surface to
bottom and side to side, then edit into a complete tour
of the site.
13. Videotape an area (fairly active part of the dive site) and identify the
creatures. Describe their behavior and movement.
14. Videotape as many different species of aquatic life as possible at the site and
create a video showing behavior, interaction, and the area’s
biodiversity.
15. Videotape as many different individuals of one species (fish, shells, shrimp,
coral, plants, etc.) as possible at the site and describe the physical,
behavioral, and habitat differences.
16. Script and shoot a video following a diver around a dive site pointing out key
features and interacting appropriately with creatures and structures.
If you are interested in getting a sampling of navigation, buoyancy and environment, this is a nice intro to all of those (this also assumes your instructor knows what he/she is doing). If you are looking at improving your navigation and buoyancy, I would consider one of the direct specialties for enhancing those skillsets. The nav and buoyancy skills are very basic in this course.
As for environmental studies: This course isn't bad. However, you may also want to look at courses by Beautiful Oceans as well. Also, PADI has some decent material for their Coral Reef Awareness course.
To my understanding, only National Geographic Dive Centers can issue the NATGEO Specialty or OW Certification. I believe only 5 star facilities can apply to be a NATGEO Center.
Good luck, dive safe.
JcF
It was introduced a couple of years ago as a way to market to new divers.
It combined the standard open water course plus additional focus on the environment. The National Geographic Open Water Course, allows new divers to enter the sport, work on additional Buoyancy and Navigation as well as do an exploration project. Regardless of what you think of PADI, if adopted by the shops and supported by National Geographic, it could have advanced diving signficantly. However, in my opinion, neither group has done a whole lot with it.
NATGEO is also a specialty. It has some buoyancy and navigation skills in it. But they are not much more than what is offered in PADI's OW Course. The focus of the specialty course is really on the dive environment and the exploration project.
These options include:
1. Sketch a feature or defined area of a dive site on a slate – coral head or reef, artificial structure, wreck, rock formation, etc.
2. Survey an area noting all unnatural disturbances (anchor damage, etc.) as
well as the location and type of garbage to create a graphic environmental
assessment. (Be sure to remove trash as appropriate.)
3. Conduct a fish (invertebrate, mammal, creature) count over a specified area
and create a graph showing the numbers and types of species observed.
4. Place a grid over an area (wreck, reef, rock formation, etc.) and assign divers
to sketch/photograph specific squares. Encourage divers to note details about
the creatures and objects in their assigned area on their slate.
5. Map a defined area on a slate – recording depth, measuring object placement
and recording aquatic life found.
6. Using a depth gauge and thermometer, take and record temperature readings from the surface down to depth at various locations of a dive site to create
a graph charting changes. (Must be a dive site where temperature varies
enough to be interesting.)
7. Photograph all aspects of a defined area from surface
to bottom and side to side to create a photo collage.
8. Photograph the same area (fairly active part of the
dive site) over a specified time to create a photo-essay
showing changes in creature behavior and movement.
9. Photograph as many different species of aquatic
life as possible at the site and create a photo-essay
describing the area’s biodiversity.
10. Photograph as many different individuals of one species
(fish, shells, shrimp, crabs, coral, plants, etc.) as
possible at the site and create a photo-essay pointing
out physical, behavioral, and habitat differences.
11. Photograph all unnatural disturbances (anchor damage,
etc.) as well as the location and type of garbage
to create a graphic environmental
assessment.
12. Videotape all aspects of a defined area from surface to
bottom and side to side, then edit into a complete tour
of the site.
13. Videotape an area (fairly active part of the dive site) and identify the
creatures. Describe their behavior and movement.
14. Videotape as many different species of aquatic life as possible at the site and
create a video showing behavior, interaction, and the area’s
biodiversity.
15. Videotape as many different individuals of one species (fish, shells, shrimp,
coral, plants, etc.) as possible at the site and describe the physical,
behavioral, and habitat differences.
16. Script and shoot a video following a diver around a dive site pointing out key
features and interacting appropriately with creatures and structures.
If you are interested in getting a sampling of navigation, buoyancy and environment, this is a nice intro to all of those (this also assumes your instructor knows what he/she is doing). If you are looking at improving your navigation and buoyancy, I would consider one of the direct specialties for enhancing those skillsets. The nav and buoyancy skills are very basic in this course.
As for environmental studies: This course isn't bad. However, you may also want to look at courses by Beautiful Oceans as well. Also, PADI has some decent material for their Coral Reef Awareness course.
To my understanding, only National Geographic Dive Centers can issue the NATGEO Specialty or OW Certification. I believe only 5 star facilities can apply to be a NATGEO Center.
Good luck, dive safe.
JcF
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Given the right instructor it could be a great class, unfortunately in the two cases that I've seen it offered it was the quintessential "put another dollar in."
OP
MIKEINNV
Guest
Thanks guys, and gals. I need four more specialties and thought this one might be fun. But it did seem to be an advanced open water re-do. That's why I asked. Now I will do something ealse !!! LOL
Congratulations on moving towards becoming a Master Diver. If that is truly your aim, I would consider the following route:
read - learn - practice - repeat
First, find an instructor who truly knows how to teach Specialty diving. This incorporates theory, not just watching you run square patterns in the open water. An example, in my Buoyancy clinics, I have a three hour class session before we dive.
Second, make sure you have all the right equipment. Talk with your instructor about what is necessary for the path you are on.
Third, find a buddy to do this with. Having a group of people or at least one other person will help motivate and stimulate the learning process.
Fourth, slow down. Don't try and bite off more than one bite at a time. Really immerse yourself and practice what you have learned in step one before you leap off onto step two.
As a Master Diver, I look at the following as being prerequisites
1. Good Swimmer - 500M in under 12 minutes is a very basic swim time.
2. Good Skin Diver - Mask, Snorkel and Fin should feel like a second skin. This doesn't mean you have to hold your breath for two minutes. But you should be comfortable free diving down to 20' or so for a little bit.
3. First Aid / CPR - The DAN programs are awesome.
4. Rescue - Don't just take the course. Get with your buddies and review rescue skills regularly.
Some Good Reading -
US Navy Dive Manual - Download Version 6 - 900+ pages of great data. Perfect reference tool.
Complete Diving Manual by Jack Jackson
Scubaboard - All the time.
BASIC DECOMPRESSION THEORY AND APPLICATION 3rd EDITION 2008 by Bruce R. Wienke
Deep Diving by Brett Gilliam
Solo Diving, 2nd Edition: The Art of Underwater Self-Sufficiency by Robert Von Maier
Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson
Your course manuals will become a great reference tool as well. Don't tear out the Knowledge Reviews. It's ok to photocopy them.
Recommended Courses for Master Diver (yes, I know it only requires five)
Non-Diving Courses
Equipment Specialist
Enriched Air Nitrox
Diving Courses
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Underwater Navigation
Deep Diver
Wreck Diver
Altitude Diver (Might be valuable up in Carson City)
Space the courses out as well. Don't just do one course after the other. Do a course and then spend five or ten dives practicing/honing/mastering the skills you learned before learning a new skill sets.
Where do you go from here?
I would recommend the NAUI Master Diver Course, the SDI Solo Diver Course, and perhaps a cavern course down in the Mexican Cenotes or Florida. You can learn some great skills and theory that will take you to the next level as recreational diver.
Hope this helps. Good luck and dive safe!
JcF
read - learn - practice - repeat
First, find an instructor who truly knows how to teach Specialty diving. This incorporates theory, not just watching you run square patterns in the open water. An example, in my Buoyancy clinics, I have a three hour class session before we dive.
Second, make sure you have all the right equipment. Talk with your instructor about what is necessary for the path you are on.
Third, find a buddy to do this with. Having a group of people or at least one other person will help motivate and stimulate the learning process.
Fourth, slow down. Don't try and bite off more than one bite at a time. Really immerse yourself and practice what you have learned in step one before you leap off onto step two.
As a Master Diver, I look at the following as being prerequisites
1. Good Swimmer - 500M in under 12 minutes is a very basic swim time.
2. Good Skin Diver - Mask, Snorkel and Fin should feel like a second skin. This doesn't mean you have to hold your breath for two minutes. But you should be comfortable free diving down to 20' or so for a little bit.
3. First Aid / CPR - The DAN programs are awesome.
4. Rescue - Don't just take the course. Get with your buddies and review rescue skills regularly.
Some Good Reading -
US Navy Dive Manual - Download Version 6 - 900+ pages of great data. Perfect reference tool.
Complete Diving Manual by Jack Jackson
Scubaboard - All the time.
BASIC DECOMPRESSION THEORY AND APPLICATION 3rd EDITION 2008 by Bruce R. Wienke
Deep Diving by Brett Gilliam
Solo Diving, 2nd Edition: The Art of Underwater Self-Sufficiency by Robert Von Maier
Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson
Your course manuals will become a great reference tool as well. Don't tear out the Knowledge Reviews. It's ok to photocopy them.
Recommended Courses for Master Diver (yes, I know it only requires five)
Non-Diving Courses
Equipment Specialist
Enriched Air Nitrox
Diving Courses
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Underwater Navigation
Deep Diver
Wreck Diver
Altitude Diver (Might be valuable up in Carson City)
Space the courses out as well. Don't just do one course after the other. Do a course and then spend five or ten dives practicing/honing/mastering the skills you learned before learning a new skill sets.
Where do you go from here?
I would recommend the NAUI Master Diver Course, the SDI Solo Diver Course, and perhaps a cavern course down in the Mexican Cenotes or Florida. You can learn some great skills and theory that will take you to the next level as recreational diver.
Hope this helps. Good luck and dive safe!
JcF
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