Why don't y'all move to Quebec?
They already have a government backed body there running the scuba divers 'cause the divers are so stupid they need a big brother (Joke. OK!). Of course, it all costs money and since the general taxpayer isn't interested, be prepared to decide between car insurance and a scuba diver licence! Every diver in Quebec must register, take a government course (beyond his agency course) and pay a fee to the government before he dives.
DBD's original idea was a VOLUNTARY membership in a DIVE STORE ORGANIZATION that sets standards for acceptable behavior. Divers would be encouraged to fraternize member stores. If they did a good job, soon divers would only go to those stores. Member stores that don't keep up can be dropped. Non-member stores can be listed.
Now that's a good idea, not new nor even novel, but good!
Over the years several dive store owners have tried with mixed (usually not good) success to set up such a system. Wayne Crowley, Al Lambert, myself, Gerry Lowden and others. We never got enough support to make it work over the long run but it was always beneficial. Today it might be easier. There are fewer stores and the owners are somewhat more business-like. Additionally we have the internet as a great tool to use.
What areas of the sport would you suggest such an organization should try to improve?
They already have a government backed body there running the scuba divers 'cause the divers are so stupid they need a big brother (Joke. OK!). Of course, it all costs money and since the general taxpayer isn't interested, be prepared to decide between car insurance and a scuba diver licence! Every diver in Quebec must register, take a government course (beyond his agency course) and pay a fee to the government before he dives.
DBD's original idea was a VOLUNTARY membership in a DIVE STORE ORGANIZATION that sets standards for acceptable behavior. Divers would be encouraged to fraternize member stores. If they did a good job, soon divers would only go to those stores. Member stores that don't keep up can be dropped. Non-member stores can be listed.
Now that's a good idea, not new nor even novel, but good!
Over the years several dive store owners have tried with mixed (usually not good) success to set up such a system. Wayne Crowley, Al Lambert, myself, Gerry Lowden and others. We never got enough support to make it work over the long run but it was always beneficial. Today it might be easier. There are fewer stores and the owners are somewhat more business-like. Additionally we have the internet as a great tool to use.
What areas of the sport would you suggest such an organization should try to improve?