Opinions please...

[blueeyz78]

I have notices since I was certified that too many divers ignore there certification levels and skill sets when diving certain places. I have noticed this at every place I have ever dove.

For example...open water cert diving past 60ft. Advanced open water divers going past 130ft. Divers letting their computer go into deco.

Why have so many divers forgotton or chose to ignore what limitations they have with their certification level?

If someone is curious why I am starting this thread, then read some of the discussions on Belize and diving the blue hole. I am just amazed at what some divers are saying and doing. We had open water cert divers in belize diving the blue hole, which is a 130ft dive. And, the DM allowed the divers to go into deco . I just don't understand how divers become so irresponsible.

The blue hole isn't the only place I have noticed this. In Washington, there is a dive at deception pass that has a nine minute slack, it is a dry suit dive, and extremely advanced. If you get caught in this dive past the slack, you are in big trouble. My instructor told a story of how the current pushed him to the bottom and he almost could not crawl his way out due to such extreme currents. I have known many divers get into trouble here because they should not have been diving in the first place here.

I am curious what all of you have to say on this topic.

Denise

 

[diverrex]

Some people smoke, drink, drive too fast, drive after drinking, do drugs, etc. Not saying any of it is right but people do dangerous and stupid things. Divers are people. You will never get everyone to act the way you think they should, divers or otherwise.

 

[redacted]

Experience is every bit as important that the cards, perhaps more important.

 

[richerso]

You are just going to see stupid people do stupid things. You can't do much to help them.

 

[RumBum]

PADI limits its open water students to 60 ft. NAUI Open Water card max depth limit is 130 ft.
No one recommends for a beginner diver to immediately go to max depth, but it is within the scope of the certification card.

 

[Mack Diver]

PADI limits its open water students to 60 ft. NAUI Open Water card max depth limit is 130 ft.
No one recommends for a beginner diver to immediately go to max depth, but it is within the scope of the certification card.

Just to clarify, NAUI scuba diver can plan and execute a dive to 60' or can go on a dive up to 130' with a trained professional.

Back to your question, IMHO, experience is no substitute for training and training is no substitute for experience. As an instructor, I can only hope that folks will get the training before they go for the experience. I am also a realist and accept the fact that it rarely happens that way in real life.

 

[blueeyz78]

Thanks for your opinions. It is good to hear what others think.

My is you need your training and certification before you get the experience. I think diving is one sport that requires a great deal of responsibilty. not just for yourself, but for your buddy as well. And, I think it is irresposible to dive beyond your certification or experience.

 

[chrispete]

I have seen dive professionals who I wouldn't trust with an estranged family member in a wading pool. On the other hand there are many divers I know who do not have the "advanced cards" that I would and do trust with my life.

 

[RumBum]

I have done many dives to depths beyond 60 feet (unsupervised :11 with only an Open Water card. The operators did not question my abilities; it was obvious that I was cabable of the dive.
Personally, I am very glad there are no Scuba Police out there.

 

[BillM777]

When I took my OW class in March, my instructor and the PADI materials both said that the OW depth limit is initially 60', then 130'. There was no information on how long the limit is 60', so I asked my instructor. He said that it's not really defined and I would have no problem going deeper than the 60' initial limit as long as I followed the Recreational Dive Planner guidelines for no deco diving.