PADI Equipment Class a joke

[FFMDiver]

Just dropped $77 and sat for a 3hr PADI equipment specialty course.My advice: DONT DO IT. Especially if you want to know anything about regulators....and Unless your below the age of 10 or you have to take it for a cert. It was a complete waste of my time. I knew more than the book he read from. Ok dealers, time to intellectualize the whole affair...go ahead...

 

[DeepScuba]

I didn't want to break it to you on the other thread. Besides, it might have beem a good one, since it's "Instructors choice" as to how much and what, you get into.

I night have mentioned it just the same, but it was to late by the time I read your post.

It's DIY man.

Rip it apart, break what you have to, and learn from your mistakes. (Or find a knowledgeable buddy to aid you over the rough spots).

 

[MikeFerrara]

Wouldn't you know it would be me who would jump in first?

It sounds like you got a lousy class. I wish I could say I'm surprised but I'm not.

Of course the class isn't meant to make you a repair tech...only the manufacturer can grace you with that.

3 hours?

Ours is 3 nights and 3 hours per night. We tear doen regs, review in detail how they work, visual tanks, put seals on dry suits and all kinds of stuff.

I'm guessing the instructor doesn't know much and just read you the outline. Sorry about your luck. You should complain to the agency.

 

[seanrollins]

Just keep in mind that if you DIY, you void the lifetime parts warrenty that you likely have

 

[Scubaroo]

seanrollins once bubbled...
Just keep in mind that if you DIY, you void the lifetime parts warrenty that you likely have

Or not, if it was bought online.

If you want to know about regs, buy the book from Airspeed Press. Even if you don't plan to work on your regs, at least you'll gain a useful understanding of how they work, and be able to troubleshoot them if they start acting up.

 

[lanun]

though it was 2 days, 4 hrs a day. we got hands-on on a variety of stuff - 1st/2nd/gauges/inflator, mixed gas compressor set-ups, etc. i got a lot out of it.

oh, at the end of the class, the instructor said 'anyone want a c-card for this or are you guys fine ?'. half did and half didn't.

 

[Diver Lori]

The class I took was good too. Learned a wealth of stuff. Sorry about your luck!

I will admit the class I took was targeted more towards the semi-regular recreational diver as I've learned alot more since doing cave than I did in that class, but nonetheless it was very informative for me at the time.

The instructor was an avid diver (as he should be) and we had a classroom session going over equipment in's and out's the first night.....hands on stuff from head to toe. He never opened a book or read to us once during the entire class. He sent us home to absorb what we learned. We came back for the next session and he had 21 stations set up around the shop with gear in various stages of failure, etc. He handed each one of us a clipboard with paper numbered from 1 to 21. He started us in different areas, told us not to confer with others, and begin assessing each station. BOY!! did I learn alot from that class!

Believe it or not, I was diving at the quarry the following weekend with a group of friends, and I got to use at least 4 things I had learned in that class. It was worth it for me.

Again, this and Mike's response just shows you what many of us keep saying over and over and over and over again. It's not the agency, IT'S THE INSTRUCTOR!!!

When are some of you going to catch on?????!!!!

Geezz....this is getting tiring!

 

[o2scuba]

bmuise once bubbled...
Just dropped $77 and sat for a 3hr PADI equipment specialty course.My advice: DONT DO IT. Especially if you want to know anything about regulators....and Unless your below the age of 10 or you have to take it for a cert. It was a complete waste of my time. I knew more than the book he read from. Ok dealers, time to intellectualize the whole affair...go ahead...

Wow, sounds like a lousy investment. Too bad. Sounds like you were expecting more. I don't know exactly what you did in class, sounds like not much.

Did you ask specifically what would be covered before making the investment? If so, did the instructor deliver what was promissed?

Our class, much like Mike F, takes 2-3 sessions (3-4hours each).

Each student: completely disassembles a reg (first and second stage), cleans parts in ultrasonic cleaner, replace/lubricates all o-rings, replaces teflon washers, replace/lube hose o-rings, inspects hoses and parts for defects, replaces high pressure/low pressure seats, reassembles reg, checks/sets intermediate pressure in first stage, clean and lube compass bezel and more.

A VIP is done on tanks. We cover burst discs, o-ring inspection/replacement, handle/sping operation and tightening, valve thread lube/oring replacement. Complete info regarding tank markings and numbers.

BC disassembly: cleaning of interior, servive of LPI, parts and hose, service/inspection of overpressurization valve, velcro cummerbund, shoulder straps etc..

Also cover basic care for mask/snorkel/fins, wetsuits, etc..

Sorry to hear of your disatisfaction. Perhaps if you express your feelings to the instructor, he/she will realize they need improvement. If you don't, others will most likely have similar complaints.

Your chance to make a difference.

Andrew

 

[wet]

DeepScuba once bubbled...

It's DIY man.

Rip it apart, break what you have to, and learn from your mistakes.

Hmm, sounds like great advice for life support equipment. Learn from your mistakes? That HAS to be one of the worst ideas I have ever heard.

If you don't know what you are doing and don't have someone who can really show you how to work on YOUR particular regulators take them to an authorized service center. The $50 for your annual maint. is money well spent. (your costs may vary, of course...)

In diving, learning from your mistakes can be fatal.

 

[detroit diver]

DeepScuba once bubbled...
......
It's DIY man.

Rip it apart, break what you have to, and learn from your mistakes. (Or find a knowledgeable buddy to aid you over the rough spots).

Folks,

The above is some really dangerous information. Please take heed to NOT follow this suggestion.

Reg maintenance can be simple IF you have been trained to do it properly.

Learining from your mistakes may get you into some serious touble with a life support device. Don't play games here. It's just not worth it. If you're not trained, spend the money and have the work done by a qualified technician. This isn't the place to be saving your pennies.