PADI Poll

[Bob3]

I learned to dive by watching SEAHUNT on tv, followed up with buying my tank BP & reg from a Sears & Roebuck catalog. I still remember the semi pulling up & the only thing in the back was my gear. The tank came filled.
I did take the first dive class that was held in the area some years later (YMCA).
It was a good class, everybody in it had been diving for a while (including the local dive shop owner).
I still use my original c-card, what's left of it. It makes for a good conversation starter in shops or other places that need to see 'em.

 

[divedude]

Bob3 once bubbled...
I learned to dive by watching SEAHUNT on tv, followed up with buying my tank BP & reg from a Sears & Roebuck catalog. I still remember the semi pulling up & the only thing in the back was my gear. The tank came filled.
I did take the first dive class that was held in the area some years later (YMCA).
It was a good class, everybody in it had been diving for a while (including the local dive shop owner).
I still use my original c-card, what's left of it. It makes for a good conversation starter in shops or other places that need to see 'em.

Bet you wish now you had taken better care of it

So I take it you went with "Other" in the poll

 

[Walter]

"So I guess what you are saying is there is no such thing as a good Instructor. Because there is no perfect set of standards."

That's not even close to what I said.

I agree there is no perfect set of standards. OTOH, some are excellent, although not perfect. With excellent standards, you can follow the standards without exceeding them and produce competent, safe divers. Others agencies have less than excellent standards. Following those standards without exceeding them produces less than competent, and safe divers.

I'm also aware that there are instructors from all agencies who plan to exceed standards in all their courses. These instructors are usually excellent.

So you have 6 different types of situations

1. Instructor from agency with low standards. Instructor fails to meet standards.

Results: Poor course from a poor instructor.

To blame: Instructor

2. Instructor from agency with high standards. Instructor fails to meet standards.

Results: Poor course from a poor instructor.

To blame: Instructor

3. Instructor from agency with low standards. Instructor meets, but does not exceed standards.

Results: Poor course from a poor instructor.

To blame: Agency

4. Instructor from agency with high standards. Instructor meets, but does not exceed standards.

Results: Good course from a good instructor.

Credit to: Agency

5. Instructor from agency with low standards. Instructor meets, and exceed standards.

Results: Good to excellent course from a good to excellent instructor.

Credit to: Instructor

6. Instructor from agency with high standards. Instructor meets, and exceed standards.

Results: Excellent course from an excellent instructor.

Credit to: Instructor and agency.

 

[scubaguy]

Started with PADI , went through the Instructor course last year, and Taught PADI Open water all last summer , and Hope to do it again this Summer.
I think it all boils down to the Instructor, If they care wheather you learn to dive or if they just get Paid. I do it because I like it, If I can pay for a diving weekend at the Lake with it great.
Even if I could not , I would be there Diving anyway.
I try to go the extra mile for my students and I hope all you instructors out there are doing the same , whatever organization you teach for. IMO PADI is a good Group , but it is all up to the Instructor after that.

 

[Quest]

I started with YMCA which i found tends to teach closest to Navy Dive Standards. They of course were the first dive certification organization

Naui i always found to focus big on rescue and medical aspects of diving. In fact i think they were the first to incorporate CPR and create a rescue diver course.

PADI was the first to break down their program into segments (specialty courses) and i think they have done a great job in teaching all the different aspects of diving as indepth as possible. But, they also charge for that breakdown which tends to cost people to much money in the end.

SSI i find to be the first to incorporate video into training and make it easier and cheaper to get certified in the same breakdown of training as padi.

IANTD is my choice out of all of them. They were the first to teach nitrox when the other organizations were against it (look at them now, teaching what they once said was evil), their board members are composed of people involved with all aspects of diving from military, hyperbaric, NOAA, Technical and commercial industries.

Their training material is modern, detailed and very high quality and their instructors are experienced and qualified.

 

[Walter]

"YMCA.........They of course were the first dive certification organization"

Actually, that was LA County. YMCA was the first National agency.

"Naui........the first to......create a rescue diver course."

Actually, that was YMCA.

 

[falcon]

I have taught PADI for 15 years. It has gone through some changes over the years. The content of the course is the same. The biggest difference is the reduced knowledge material. Many instructors therefore take the opportunity to reduce the time it takes for basic instruction. Rather what they should be doing is taking that time and applying it to practice. The skills required in confined and open water training are the same as they have been in the past. However, the amount of practice time has been reduced. PADI counters this with an emphasis on post open water courses to increase the amount of practice time under supervision. It is an obligation by the instructor to asses the students in his course and encourge them to take the adavanced open water course. If they are not going to take the couse, one must provide ample time for practice under supervision.

 

[Big Blue One]

PADI is fine. It's standards are safe consistent and recognised globally.

HOWEVER - out here in SE Asia people get PADI cert'd and cut massive corners. In Singapore courses range in price from <$400 to $700 - you figure out which is best !!!

Bottom line - very few of the diving orgs are on the hook for the performance of their actual instructors. They set standards but don't legally stand directly behind their instructors - this applies to SSI, BSAC, YMCA, PADI ... pretty much everyone.

Diving is a responsibility sport. You get trained by someone who knows what their doing (hopefully). You take personal responsibility - the instructors take personal reponsibility and don't hide behind a big MNC

If your instructor cut corners (SSI, PADI, YMCA ...) then you have a problem. If they forced you through a base standard then you may appreciate what is involved.

Problem is if YOU don't take the sport seriously and don't understand that there are some basic risks - this is not bushwalking !!!! - then you can't expect to be safe.

While every year a few dedicated serious quality individuals expire (usually due to some uncontrollable external gear or environmental factor) the majority of those who get toasted diving weren't properly trained and personally probably didn't take the sport seriously enough and went beyond their limits.

Keep training - keep learning - be a better diver - and have fun !!

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

YMCA cert in 1969 / PADI 1973 -- full cave instructor PADI in 1975..yes PADI did have a full cave cert then. Rory Dickens, Scheck Exley & I ran the program for PADI.

 

[mexman]

PADI may have been my introduction to diving over 20 years ago, however, most of my skills have been developed by diving with those better than myself.

It is the same way I spend 25 years becoming a better climber and caver. I always try to seek out those who have something to offer, either in the way of skills or attitude. Both are important.