Pending changes for certifications required for JDC dives

[Wookie]

Wait what? Are you saying you can now choose Nitrox as one of the five, and then finish AOW with both AOW and Nitrox certs? It was not that way when I took AOW.

Nor was it that way when I took nitrox.

I had to own my own analyzer.

 

[scubadada]

So, nitrox is currently standalone, It couldn't be much easier than it is now, an eLearning course followed by a short meeting at a LDS to go over test results, analyzing and logging a nitrox cylinder. I don't see this changing. It has already evolved significantly. In 2002, I took a half day class with a text, a comprehensive exam, and two nitrox dives with the instructor. I don't believe nitrox was an AOW choice at that time, but it did count as a specialty toward MSD.

It would be fine with me if nitrox was added to OW, they should routinely teach the dive computer too. I'm on the side that at least rudimentary dive tables should continue to be taught as background for the dive computer and NDL.

 

[boulderjohn]

they should routinely teach the dive computer too. I'm on the side that at least rudimentary dive tables should continue to be taught as background for the dive computer and NDL.

Different versions of the OW course do teach the dive computer.

As I have asked probably 100 times on ScubaBoard, how does learning tables teach dive computers and NDL?

Students need to learn basic decompression theory for the course, and they need to learn what NDL means, etc. That is critical learning, and all courses teach that. After that, students need to learn how to manage decompression on a dive. Some people learn to do it with tables. Some people learn to do it with a computer. Why should someone who is going to be managing a dive with a computer have to take the time to learn tables, something that he or she will never use?

Mark Powell wrote an entire book on decompression (Deco for Divers) without ever teaching how to use tables.

 

[scubadada]

Different versions of the OW course do teach the dive computer.

As I have asked probably 100 times on ScubaBoard, how does learning tables teach dive computers and NDL?

Students need to learn basic decompression theory for the course, and they need to learn what NDL means, etc. That is critical learning, and all courses teach that. After that, students need to learn how to manage decompression on a dive. Some people learn to do it with tables. Some people learn to do it with a computer. Why should someone who is going to be managing a dive with a computer have to take the time to learn tables, something that he or she will never use?

Mark Powell wrote an entire book on decompression (Deco for Divers) without ever teaching how to use tables.

OK. I was initially certified by LA Co and used USN tables. I understood NDL and decompression reasonably well. I was recertified with PADI using the RDP, it was a breeze after already knowing the USN tables. I was never taught computers, but it was very easy after already using the USN tables and the RDP. Adding nitrox to the mix, so to speak, was a piece of cake.

I realize that was then and this is now. I have no idea how computers are taught in courses today, but I do see a reasonably large number of divers who don't have a clue to what they are doing.

 

[tursiops]

Wait what? Are you saying you can now choose Nitrox as one of the five, and then finish AOW with both AOW and Nitrox certs? It was not that way when I took AOW.

You still have to do the entire EANx course....simulations, Knowledge Reviews, and Final Exam. You just get to do the EANx Adventure Dive as one of yorr five AOW dives. EANx and also be integrated with the OW class; (again) all the materials are needed, and you do OW Dive 4 using EANx.

 

[boulderjohn]

I realize that was then and this is now. I have no idea how computers are taught in courses today, but I do see a reasonably large number of divers who don't have a clue to what they are doing.

Done properly, a diver doing the OW course should be thoroughly versed in computer operation. I suspect some courses are not done as designed.

Then there are the many students still taking table based course getting next to no training on computers.

 

[Jcp2]

Imagine setting the time and date on an old school digital watch, and then setting daylight saving time, and second time zone based on UTD offset. How many of your acquaintances can do this without your help? Those same people won’t know how to set and use a dive computer other than as a depth gauge. The idea of keeping track of dive limits being the shorter of remaining gas or remaining NDL without outside guidance is a big ask for people who would have had their VCRs flagging 12:00.

 

[Rob9876]

You still have to do the entire EANx course....simulations, Knowledge Reviews, and Final Exam. You just get to do the EANx Adventure Dive as one of yorr five AOW dives. EANx and also be integrated with the OW class; (again) all the materials are needed, and you do OW Dive 4 using EANx.

Ok, when I said that EANx should be included in either OW or at least AOW, I meant students should be fully certified to dive EANx after either OW or AOW and this should be included in the cost of OW or AOW.

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

What's a VCR? And I set my watch 2 minutes slow the first day of the month and by the endo of the month it's 2:00 fast. It gains about 8.5 seconds a day. Close enough. It's a recent 1965 model Seiko. Serioiusly, what's a UTD offset? Urinary Tract Disease?

OMMOHY

 

[tursiops]

Ok, when I said that EANx should be included in either OW or at least AOW, I meant students should be fully certified to dive EANx after either OW or AOW and this should be included in the cost of OW or AOW.

Why not just make the classes free; wouldn't that be even better?

Why do you think that the training material and instructor time ought to be devalued even more than it is?
The problem is the classes already do not cost enough to pay their way, so the whole system is sliding toward mediocrity or worse.