PADI Equipment Specialist Class (is it worth it?)

[mannydib]

im considering taking the PADI Equipment Specialist Class
is it worth it or can i learn as much or more from the right books?

im aware that it doesnt qualify me as a technician to service and repair gear.

my interest is mainly in being able to diagnose problems (preferably before they happen), perform minor fixes and maintenance.

 

[diver567]

The PADI equipment specialist is a good introduction to basic maintenance repair and upkeep of your equipment. Check out the qualifications of the instructor doing the course. It's also a good idea to take your own equipment with you to get a better understanding of that works. If you do ever get the opportunity to do any technicians course (I did it with Scubapro last year and was very impressed, I learned a lot) take the chance.

Anything you can learn about diving is gonna be good for you as a diver, why not give it a go.

 

[WileEDiver]

I did it with Scubapro last year and was very impressed, I learned a lot

Is it worth $160 ($80/day)? That's what I'm told Scubapro charges per attendee.

 

[mannydib]

If you do ever get the opportunity to do any technicians course (I did it with Scubapro last year and was very impressed, I learned a lot) take the chance.

any advice on where to find out about classes?

Anything you can learn about diving is gonna be good for you as a diver, why not give it a go.

very true,

about a year ago, a dump valve on my bc wasnt fully closing allowing air to escape. my friend, a scuba vet, easily fixed it by opening it and expanding the spring.

a couple weekends ago i had the o-ring on my hp hose go on me underwater. apparently i hadnt tightened the hose enough and it left room for the ring to extrude. i was afraid to overtighten it, now i know better.

this last week my octo was free flowing. a friend checked the intermediate pressure and noticed it was off and informed me that it could be a high pressure seat failure. the technician who looked at it found that it just needed an adjustment.

all the above has made me interested in the class. i particularly want to be able to spot problems BEFORE they happen. being able to do minor repairs is a plus too.

ill be getting an ip gauge and checking for creep and out of range values.

 

[diver567]

Is it worth $160 ($80/day)? That's what I'm told Scubapro charges per attendee.

I didn't pay quite that amount for the course but I did feel it helped me. Not only with the maintenace of my own gear but also with an understanding of how the equipment works. It has also helped me when teaching DM equipment, for example.

 

[Mike Newman]

I've taken both the PADI Equipment Specialist Course and a more involved (2 Day) class with my local dive operation. Both were very worthwhile in enabling me to conduct more effective serviceability checks on my own gear and pre-empt problems. Problems suffered in the water are great for experience - but only if you live to tell the tale and learn from them. An ounce of prevention etc!

Agree with the writer who said, take along your own gear to learn more about it and relate it to any general instruction. Someone else said try to identify the skills of the instructor concerned. If you have the choice, obviously go with someone who is used to servicing equipment and has manufacturers' qualifications. Learning from someone who's just a page ahead in a manual isn't recommended.

 

[Scottri]

The course is really on as good as the instructor teaching it. When I took it we disassebled and reassembled piston regs, diaphram regs, tank valves, inflators, gauges and the whole lot. Other classes don't go into that much detail. We also spent a lot of time going over tank inspection, drysuit valves and just about every piece of gear you could think of.


Scott

 

[ninjamuzo]

Mine was the same as the above. Do it with an Instructor who also services Regs. We didn't do dry suit valves though most dioves here are with an average water temp of 29C

 

[alemaozinho]

hi,it,s always god to learn.This course (if tought properly)will give you the foundation of how to properly take care of your equipment and to take care of minor Problems but won,t teach you how to repair a Regulator, for example.It,s always beneficial to have the knowledge how to deal with your stuff,i,ve seen a lot of rundown equipment (corrosion,ducktaped ,ect.)at the end you have to acknowledge ,that it is life support you are dealing with.Peace

 

[frankdr]

I was lucky to be the only person in the Equipment Specialty course, so we tailored it to my particular equipment. The most important things I learned are what problems to watch for, what to clean and what not to adjust. Knowing the theory behind all the mechanics gave me a lot of confidence in scuba equipment's reliability.

-Frank