Nitrox training SSI vs PADI??

[Bubble Blower 479]

My nitox was with SSI and we spent a significant amount of time analyzing gas. Just because an instructor didn't get in the water with me doesn't mean I didn't get plenty of experience in gas analysis. I don't know why everyone assumes that you don't get hands on experience. An instructor would be very unwise not to make sure you were fully trained in such a critical part of the course.

 

[MikeFerrara]

I agree with this statement 100%. If you do the class properly, you will analyze tanks (serveral times) and plan several dives. Once that is done there is absolutly no difference between diving EAN and Air from a skills standpoint. The dives are a waste of money.

Now if the cost difference is no more than a 2 tank dive would normally cost you, then by all means, do the dives for the fun of the diving...

James

No dive with a more experienced diver should be a waste. If that diver is a good instructor, so much the better.

We can argue about whether or not it makes sense to learn nitrox without getting in the water but, speaking for myself, I won't issue a diving certification without seeing the student dive. Along with the planning skills specific to enriched air demonstration of proficiency in all the general diving skills should also be a requirement for nitrox training dives. If those skills are rough they can be worked on.

I see lots of divers who can't follow a dive plan especially when it comes to holding their depth. I wouldn't want to issue a nitrox card (or any other) to them and it's not something you can see in the classroom.

 

[The Kraken]

Have to agree with James and Mech.

The TDI course instructor required that I had required that the students check several tanks of nitrox of an "unknown" oxygen percentage in one of the final segments of the class, which, of course, gave the students in verifying gas mixtures.

I don't know how diving a tank or two of nitrox can create a more capable nitrox diver than not diving them, other than the fact the the other diver now has two more dives.

OK, don't start a war but IF a diver were to make two dives on an unknown gas mixture, what added experience or knowledge has he gained.

Please don't start with the, "Well, he should never dive an unknown gas" position.

By the way, does everyone analyze a tank of air before they dive it to make sure it's EAN21?

But, as was stated above, if the cost of the class includes the cost of the two dives and is equal to or less than the class that doesn't require the dives plus two dives, then it's a wash. Do the class that includes the dives.

 

[HammerNoMore]

I see lots of divers who can't follow a dive plan especially when it comes to holding their depth. I wouldn't want to issue a nitrox card (or any other) to them and it's not something you can see in the classroom.

That's your opinion as an instructor, which is a different viewpoint from that of a student. As an instructor, and I gather a good one from what I have seen you post, you know that the possion of an OW card as a prerequisite, in no way indicates that the student has actually learned to dive.

For a student, if they haven't figured out basic skills by OW, then they are probably not going to unless they find themselves a better instructor anyway, so continuing with the same shop and getting 2 more dives in a nitrox course is not likely to help them any...

James

 

[lamont]

I took SSI nitrox. We did do a dive after all the classwork where we worked on rescuing a toxing diver. Obviously this exceeded the SSI standards by a lot (and PADI and NAUI and almost everyone else).

 

[pt40fathoms]

PADI has just revised the Nitrox course, making the text and materials less ominous and "tech" sounding. Same information, just reorganized and presented in a manner that does not feel like a course in physics. Standards have not changed though, and the 2 dives are still required. Seems like PADI standards are tougher for this course, if it were the other way around, I'm sure that fact would be eagerly pointed out by the same old crowd.

 

[Michael Schlink]

As an instructor I would prefer to go diving with ANY student to make sure they have the skills needed. I think as a student this should be appreciated and expected. As was said earlier this is DIVING isn't it.

 

[SoCalOffshore]

I just finished the PAdI Nitrox course with the dives. Actually, we made three boat dives with Nitrox and dove some wrecks off of San Diego, Ca. Good learning and good time had by all.

 

[turnerjd]

I would have to agree with Mike Fererra and the others that suggested doing the dives is a good idea.

There are several reasons for this,

1. Theory and practice are two different things. Learning in the class-room is great. Going out and doing it is better - I would agree however, that if you plan to go diving with regular buddies only a few days later then this might not be too much of a problem (especially if your regular buddies are also nitrox qualified). Leaving things too long between the theory and the first time you do the practice is not a good idea

2. Going out and actually doing two dives is a great way of experiencing evertything you have learned about nitrox - you get to experience the difference nitrox makes. I certainly feel much more "fresh" after two nitrox dives. You also have somebody experienced there if you do make a mess of things........

3. As with MikeFererra I would suggest that you should be able to prove to the instructor that you have learned about max operating depth and demonstrate that you can avoid passing the MOD - after all, it is the instructors signature on the certification. I personally would not like to sign that I had correctly taught somebody nitrox diving without having seen them diving.

4. you get two more dives!

I would also say that if you are doing the nitrox cert just before a dive-trip it is always better to turn up at the start of a trip having actually dived nitrox, rather than just done the theory.

So, if you can afford the PADI certification, do it. More diving is always good, no?

JonT

 

[miketsp]

I did SSI and I did 2 dives to get the card.
It was never mentioned that they were optional.
Quite frankly they didn't add anything to the course which was quite practical.
I don't see why the dives should be obligatory.