Really? Is that why they don't have rescue skills in the OW class like NAUI? Allow weekend courses? And don't allow instructors to add material and test on it as part of the process? Or will override an instructors decison not to certify someone who shows a poor attitude towards safety as long as they "master" the basic skills required?
No. I would not recommend them unless you find an old school PADI instructor who doesn't buy into some of this stuff.
There are a lot of lies about how all basic courses are the pretty much the same. They are not. Not by a long shot. And while it is the instructor, it's also what the instructor is allowed and required to do by the standards that make a huge difference. NAUI instructors are required to deviate from the standards if local conditions and the needs of the student require it. A few other agencies allow this also. Because they realize that instruction should not be the same anywhere a student goes. It should be dependent on conditions and what the instructor feels is required in his/her area.
Hmmm, if the individual dive company and individual instructor are removed from the equation, then I might agree. But since you can't separate the quality of the program or the quality, commitment and teaching skills of the Instructor, then I disagree.
I'm not required by PADI to pass anybody that I don't feel is competent. What I consider as competent is quite a bit more than minimum standards. PADI doesn't have Maximum standards. I have the freedom to raise the bar, before my name goes on the dotted line.
Likewise, in the classroom, I can go into detail and go well beyond anything that is in the book, or on the test. Ultimately, students take the PADI Open Water Final Exam, but I'm confident they were taught much, much more.
PADI does not force Instructors to teach at the lowest standard. The standards are a baseline.
For example, our students are started in backplate/wing/harness with crotchstrap kits. All skills are done while neutrally buoyant and horizontally. They practice skills which include the PADI minimum standards, plus much more.
My PADI rep thinks its great that we go to greater lengths to develop better divers.
Once the PADI confined water requirements are met, we can spend as much time as we want working on buoyancy control, body position, finning methods, buddy skills, equipment familiarization, general comfort, etc.
Rarely do I conduct a class in which every student passes. The ones who struggle are afforded more time to practice, and perhaps private training sessions. They pass when I'm confident that they are competent, informed, level headed, and have practiced with enough repetition to commit skills to muscle memory.
I know NAUI Instructors who just "get it done", and punch through the course with utmost speed, while meeting minimum standards.
I know PADI Instructors who do the same.
Which is better?
If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose not to dive.
