TheRedHead:
Since when has taking a course make you an expert. No matter if it is an open water course, a specialty course or a profesisonal level course, once you have the card in hand, it does not make you the greatest diver at that level. Even as an Instructor, I enjoy watching other instructors, because I am always learning. I coordinate my classes so when my open water students arrive, they see a rescue diver class ending and it inspires them to want to continue to learn. Or if I am on a dive boat and I see someone using a Digital SLR Camera, or Twin Tanks, or an Argon tank, It sparks my interests, and strikes up a conversation. Likewise, when someone is in the galley of the dive vessel with there boat coat on, and a new diver sees that he has a specialty in Search and Recovery, that diver may be inspired to ask questions about the course, and at a later date, take the course him or herself, which in the end means, a better diver, because he is diving more and gaining experience.
As for diving anywhere challenging, I am limited to the dive sites I can dive, where I live. Which re-inforces what I said above. Just because I am an Instructor, does not mean I am superior to those around me. Of all the logged dives I have, less than 20 of them are in the ocean. I look towards those who have experience in the local diving environment. Infact, the PADI Discover Local Diving program is a great orientation to wherever it is I am diving. As far as teaching goes, I WILL teach my students in an enviornment that will allow them to focus on the tasks they are required to perform. Again, it is preparing them, and giving them the tools they need, to dive safely. Once they have learned and mastered the basics, they will be better prepared to take on more challenging sites.
If an open water diver comes to me, with his patch on his gear bag and says that he needs a buddy, I will dive with that person, because he enjoys diving and will be ready to gain experience. I will stay away from the egos and the arrogant ones, regardless of whatever rating they may hold.
