National Geographic Diving Certification

[Tienuts]

I guess the biggest uphill challenge in this conversation is how little sarcasm and humor come out in text. I tried having a joke with you guys on mermaids, laughing fish, and a fashion show underwater. Perhaps in a normal conversation you could hear my tone, but general hyperboles just don’t lend themselves naturally in a message board.

You right about the sarcasm. Thats why I use those stupid little faces, since I am a very sarcastic *******.

And I just looked at a pic of the Mares HUD online. Brother, that is one dive fasion faux-pas. You might as well wear a tinfoil exposure suit, and a star-wars helmet when you dive.

 

[jonix]

@dzerodude: if mares works for you then that's fine. each and everyone of us have their own gear preferences...because it works for them. as for the nat geo diver thing...it's your call. personally, i'd use the money to buy dive toys instead.

 

[Thalassamania]

Here’s the bumph on the PADI/NG Diver:

You’ll learn basic dive skills and safety information through the PADI Open Water Diver course.

You’ll be introduced to worldwide dive environments and opportunities by interacting with the National Geographic Diver Almanac and DVD.

You’ll learn to fine-tune your buoyancy to hover easily and maneuver carefully through delicate aquatic habitats.

You’ll learn how to observe your surroundings in order to get the best experience from each dive. You’ll gain practical experience by gathering information and collecting images to create a visual representation of a dive site, detailing what you’ve discovered through your observations.

You’ll improve your navigation skills and ability to find your way around underwater by using a compass as well as natural references.

You’ll be introduced to a multitude of aquatic species and be able to identify local plants and animals.

Sounds like an open water course to me.

 

[archman]

I think you get really cool stickers, or something.

 

[HammerNoMore]

You’ll learn basic dive skills and safety information through the PADI Open Water Diver course.

Check. Got that with my NAUI OWD course.

You’ll be introduced to worldwide dive environments and opportunities by interacting with the National Geographic Diver Almanac and DVD.

No Check. Didn't get that with my NAUI OWD course.

You’ll learn to fine-tune your buoyancy to hover easily and maneuver carefully through delicate aquatic habitats.

No Check. I got that by diving. Certainly not through my NAUI OWD course.

You’ll learn how to observe your surroundings in order to get the best experience from each dive. You’ll gain practical experience by gathering information and collecting images to create a visual representation of a dive site, detailing what you’ve discovered through your observations.

No Check. I got that by diving. Certainly not through my NAUI OWD course.

You’ll improve your navigation skills and ability to find your way around underwater by using a compass as well as natural references.

No Check. I got that by diving. Certainly not through my NAUI OWD course.

You’ll be introduced to a multitude of aquatic species and be able to identify local plants and animals.

No Check. I got that by diving. Certainly not through my NAUI OWD course.

Sounds like an open water course to me.

Doesn't sound like my OWD. Which agencies OWD gives you all of that? BSAC probably does, other than that who? Now I agree, the NGD program is nothing but marketing hype, but it's good marketing hype. Align the biggest cert provider with the biggest enviroedu provider. It draws new people into diving. I guess the real question is: Should the industry market to new divers? Is this a Joe Camel? Is it bad to attract a new diver base?

 

[Diver Dennis]

I think you get really cool stickers, or something.

Really???????????

 

[dzer0]

I want patches that I can sew onto my 3mm, if thats possible than im in.

 

[Bryan]

Plus, everyday for the rest of your life you'll wake up with the National Geographic theme song playing in your head.

"Look at that mon-key...
What has that mon-key got in his hand?" boom boom

--The Ninja from www.askaninja.com

 

[D_B]

no stickers, but you do get a cool C card ...

...OK, so that is the real reason I took the class .. but I'm a card collecter anyway