I also feel that when a thread such as this is moderated, to the degree this one was, it was unfair to Carolyn to have her do the chopping. What we were discussing were training issues and philosophies that frankly would require the knowledge of those philosophies and standards that would not be possessed by a non professional. How would someone not familiar with or without access to those standards and philosophies be able to make an informed and non biased decision regarding posts. If her bio is current she is not an instructor, AI ,or DM. Frankly the mod who should have been doing anything at all ( even though there was really nothing to do) should have had the knowledge or access to the standards and philosophies. No attack on you Carolyn but you did get handed the dirty diaper on this one and it wasn't even your kid.
When a discussion such as this takes place and it is of real benefit to divers as a whole as this one is, or was anyway, to cut it up based on some perceived level of fairness is doing a disservice to that community. There were references made regarding SEI. As the mod in that forum if I thought they were outright mean attacks you can bet I would have reacted. But what I saw were legitimate questions raised by someone unfamiliar with our agency to clarify statements and obtain information for the real and noble purpose of educating themselves. That is never a bad thing. And this is in basic because one thing that many of us agree with is that new divers don't know what they don't know.( yeah I'm beginning to hate the cliche' myself but it's the best I can think of now)
When these things are brought out in the open and light shone on practices by any agency or instructor that allows the student to make a more informed decision regarding something that could affect their health and safety it is a good thing. There are those who don;t care if they don't get rescue skills. They only want to look at pretty fish. But there are those who if they knew more was available in the beginning they'd go for it regardless of cost or time involved. To keep them in the dark with flashy ads, misleading statements, less than full disclosure of the options available is irresponsible and wrong.
