Discussing risks of ageing with Randy, my local dive shop owner (a grizzled veteran) I was persuaded to sign up for my first course in 40 years (I was originally certified by BSAC in the 1970's) - PADI Enriched Air Diving.
The Course
It took about 30 mins to scan the materials and do the 7 self-assessment exercises. The mistakes/poor quality of the materials were immediately obvious.
(For example on page 12, Exercise 2:
Q7. The potential hazards that can arise from filling an enriched air cylinder improperly include (check all that apply):
a. Fire
b. Explosion
c. Decompression illness
d. Oxygen toxicity
Actual correct reply is a, b, c, d.
Printed book reply: a, b.
Q8 has similar issues).
The Instructor
Kevin was personable and highly experienced: 20 years experience, > 2000 dives, many on TriMix. Despite the poor course materials, did a good job getting the risks across well and memorably (I will never use a Nitrox cylinder I haven't personally tested!). He was surprised the 'new' PADI materials didn't require any mix/depth/pp02 calculations - then remembered 'Ah yes. Whole point of this course is to have you buy a new mixed gas computer' - which is probably true.
The Standard
The self-assessment and test at the end was ridiculously simple, with no obvious fail criterion. I got 24/25 right (which says more about the test than it does about my ability - honestly!). If you got a question wrong, you simply signed you understood the correct explanation the instructor later gave you...
Cost
All in (materials, instructor fee, dive-shop facilities, tax) my Nitrox card took 3 hours and cost about $180.
Conclusions
I'd heard certification standards have declined (and seen some pretty stupid certified divers and even DMs on my travels. Which was also true 40 years ago - I was one of them!) but approached my first PADI course with an open mind, prepared for good tuition, materials and experience. Ultimately I was disappointed. Materials were shoddy and standards really are low. The redeeming factor was the personality, excellence and experience of the instructor.
Will I use Nitrox in future? Still not convinced benefits outweigh risks.
Would I recommend PADI to a friend? No
The Course
It took about 30 mins to scan the materials and do the 7 self-assessment exercises. The mistakes/poor quality of the materials were immediately obvious.
(For example on page 12, Exercise 2:
Q7. The potential hazards that can arise from filling an enriched air cylinder improperly include (check all that apply):
a. Fire
b. Explosion
c. Decompression illness
d. Oxygen toxicity
Actual correct reply is a, b, c, d.
Printed book reply: a, b.
Q8 has similar issues).
The Instructor
Kevin was personable and highly experienced: 20 years experience, > 2000 dives, many on TriMix. Despite the poor course materials, did a good job getting the risks across well and memorably (I will never use a Nitrox cylinder I haven't personally tested!). He was surprised the 'new' PADI materials didn't require any mix/depth/pp02 calculations - then remembered 'Ah yes. Whole point of this course is to have you buy a new mixed gas computer' - which is probably true.
The Standard
The self-assessment and test at the end was ridiculously simple, with no obvious fail criterion. I got 24/25 right (which says more about the test than it does about my ability - honestly!). If you got a question wrong, you simply signed you understood the correct explanation the instructor later gave you...
Cost
All in (materials, instructor fee, dive-shop facilities, tax) my Nitrox card took 3 hours and cost about $180.
Conclusions
I'd heard certification standards have declined (and seen some pretty stupid certified divers and even DMs on my travels. Which was also true 40 years ago - I was one of them!) but approached my first PADI course with an open mind, prepared for good tuition, materials and experience. Ultimately I was disappointed. Materials were shoddy and standards really are low. The redeeming factor was the personality, excellence and experience of the instructor.
Will I use Nitrox in future? Still not convinced benefits outweigh risks.
Would I recommend PADI to a friend? No