PADI confined water training - shouldn't the pool be chlorinated

[momotarosan]

I have just completed my OWC in Playa Del Carmen. The diveshop was owned and operated by Canadians, so I assumed it might be safer than resort PADI instruction. Boy, was I wrong in terms of the sanitation side of OWC training. Basically the confined water training took place in a pool that wasn't chlorinated...it was cloudy with particles and Algae was present. I had nausea while I was doing my boat dives and vomited on the night I completed the OWC and had the runs. granted I could have gotten sick from eating at a couple of local establishment, but I am certain if the pool and equipment wasn't contaminated before my confined water training...it was certainly contaminated afterwards.

Does PADI set any safety guidelines in terms of sanitation, particularly with confined water training? :06: Afterall, removing and replacing your regulator in contaminted water must present some risk. not having chlorinated pool to rinse equipment others have used can also spread diseases.

 

[crpntr133]

Ever dove in a quary? Algea, particles floating, fish poop and what ever else. I would think that the pool would be clearer. I doubt that PADI governs the clearity of the pool at a LDS.

 

[miketsp]

I know a couple of LDSs that leave the water green. Just skim the mosquitos off the surface. They say it's no different to fresh water diving.
I also remember when I did my pre-OW checkout dive in a 10m tower, vis was about 6".

 

[momotarosan]

I know a couple of LDSs that leave the water green. Just skim the mosquitos off the surface. They say it's no different to fresh water diving.
I also remember when I did my pre-OW checkout dive in a 10m tower, vis was about 6".

Yes, but fresh water diving is not the same as confined water training where you are told to remove your regulator and mask. besides, the only fresh water diving I will risk in Mexico would be in the Cenotes (sinkholes) feed by the aquafier. I know I am not the only person who did confined water training in unchlorinated pool, but wouldn't it be safer? afterall, I've never got sick in my 4 previous trips to Mexico.

 

[pipedope]

Fresh water diving can be very dangerous due to tiny little things growing in the water.

In the ocean the major dangers are things that are big enough for you to see. In fresh water the worst dangers are things too small to see without a microscope.

Also, clear water makes it easier to keep track of what students are doing during training.
Divers should learn to deal with poor vis but students don't need to be in it when they are first learning.

In many places, local governments will close pools that are not properly maintained if someone complains.

A pool is not a pond or a lake and should be kept in clean, safe condition, just my opinion.

 

[RIDIVER501]

Sounds more like a job for the Health Department not PADI.
I will have to double check but I don't believe there are any PADI guidelines for how to chlorinate and maintain your training pool.

I have heard a few stories of LDS trying to cut overhead by "easing up" on the maintence of their pools but still think that is a local health code issue and not a issue dicated or governed by PADI.

 

[FIXXERVI6]

That sounds nasty, I dive in lakes and stuff, they have fish poo and all of that in it, but there is flow and rain and all that, a pool, sounds stag, I wouldn't even put my toe in it.