If you are talking about onlinescubalessons.com ... run away. They've been online since at least '99, often making wierd promises. I remember at one time they promised something along the lines that it was universally accepted and every instructor would give a $100 discount off their course . I get inquiries about them every year so I asked PADI and they flat out stated NOT to accept this guy's training as your academic training for PADI courses - Apparently they've had lawyers dealing with him off and on for years. I'd have to go back through all my mail, but I think they said there were other agencies also trying to get him to desist or change his promises.
Online cert? Have you seen this one?
- Thread starter Guba
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friscuba:
I wonder why the fellow doesn't simply use the PADI e-course. In any event, he can't be doing anything too illegal if he's been operating for eight years. Some dive instructors are obviously allowing it.
A couple of years ago, while I was living in the islands, we had a referral come in and state they had taken the acedemics online. This was knew to everyone in the shop and all the individual had was a certificate sent to them by the sponsoring shop.
What I ended up doing was giving the referral a written test under these circumstances; no help on the test, if they fail then they would take the entire course through us paying full price. If they passed then we would start with the pool session. The individual did great on the test.
However, I would be cautious signing up for such programs. Will every dive resort/shop, especially when you don't know which one your are going to use, accept the online course?
Cheers
Chris
What I ended up doing was giving the referral a written test under these circumstances; no help on the test, if they fail then they would take the entire course through us paying full price. If they passed then we would start with the pool session. The individual did great on the test.
However, I would be cautious signing up for such programs. Will every dive resort/shop, especially when you don't know which one your are going to use, accept the online course?
Cheers
Chris
I know as an SSI instructor I will not accept an online classroom from anywhere (these are not currently offered by SSI). Its not about how well the student did or how good the course is. Its going to be a liability issue for both myself and SSI. I teach PADI also and I will not take one there either. The standards don't allow it, period.
Now the next issue someone would bring up is: What about referrals? You could be taking another agency's classroom and pool student and putting them in the water for OW certs. The answer is, my agency tells me what I can and can't take. I don't have to make the call myself.
Now the next issue someone would bring up is: What about referrals? You could be taking another agency's classroom and pool student and putting them in the water for OW certs. The answer is, my agency tells me what I can and can't take. I don't have to make the call myself.
Ken abucs
Contributor
You think the lessons are scary, there's also a link on his page to order replacement c-cards from any agency. You have to give your normal information, name, address, Social Security Number!!! I wonder how many people fall for that?
OP
Guba
Contributor
Here's another thought question...
Once upon a time I talked with a person who was going through EMT school. As it turns out, they were going through a second time, having dropped their first course. I asked what had happened. It seems that the instructor they had started out with got into a bit of trouble. Apparently, they were not doing such a good job in actually teaching the academic portion of the course but THEY KNEW THE QUESTIONS ON THE CERTIFICATION TEST. They were simply teaching the correct answers and very little else. Obviously this isn't a good way to learn a subject, and my friend wisely backed out and started over elsewhere.
Could this be the case with this online course...teaching the test instead of the material? Folks would have the appearance of knowing their stuff, but it might not be the case. Any thoughts or inside info on this?
Once upon a time I talked with a person who was going through EMT school. As it turns out, they were going through a second time, having dropped their first course. I asked what had happened. It seems that the instructor they had started out with got into a bit of trouble. Apparently, they were not doing such a good job in actually teaching the academic portion of the course but THEY KNEW THE QUESTIONS ON THE CERTIFICATION TEST. They were simply teaching the correct answers and very little else. Obviously this isn't a good way to learn a subject, and my friend wisely backed out and started over elsewhere.
Could this be the case with this online course...teaching the test instead of the material? Folks would have the appearance of knowing their stuff, but it might not be the case. Any thoughts or inside info on this?
Guba:
IMO, this is what most dive training has been reduced to whether it's online or in the classroom...teaching the test.
GrumpyOldGuy
Contributor
Ditto - Mike hit the nail right on the head.
Rockhound76
Contributor
Ken abucs:
I found that site last week when I was lresearching whether or not my 31yr. old NASDS OWII certification was "basic" or advanced (apparently, it's "Basic" despite the 50' free ascents, the nav work, the night dives, etc....). Anyway, I was looking for an easy way to replace it and I read through their offer.
Pretty "fishy" if you know what I mean. Apparently they'll take your word (and SS No.!) and give you a "replacement" C-card from ANY agency.
I recommend swimming away from them as quick as you can..........
I'm going to take a NAUI Nitrox/AOW class as soon as I can. The heck with the replacement (available through SSI for $40, I discoverd). I'll use the training as a refresher, since it's been 3 decades since I took a class. Maybe I'll learn something new...
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