Hahahahahahaha... nobody, at UTD maybe. That thing has been beaten to death countless times rightfully so and not only by SM divers but also by DIR divers.
My statement is alsolutely true and every honest instructor (who actually knows the industry for more than a couple of years) will tell you that. You might not be aware of this because you're a new instructor??
Let's hear it you guys, what skills are required of instructors that can't be done or are difficult to achive by a normal competent diver???? Instructor is a PAY-LEVEL not a skill level.
Oh, right, the minumum dives are quite the hurdle... what are they? In average 30 dives for the level or specialty you wanna teach at?
Riddle my this: Here are a tec IT and his buddy diving the BH. How is that possible?
Seriously, how is this possible?
Stuff like this I have seem with my own eye MANY times over the last 20 years done by instructors! I've also seen people kneel down to tigh off their reel in a cave... and I have tons of examples!
IF you guys think, you're great divers, because you got an instructor cert you're incredibly naiive.
I never said every instructor sucks, I myself have been an instructor for 14 years. The point I was making is that the cert/instructor training means NOTHING, anyone can get it, really anyone.
Fun fact: In thailand, some PADI shops used to sell ITC/IE packages with a garanteed pass.
I do consider myself a new instructor as I have only been doing it for over a decade now. Also, the Z-system has not been "beaten to death". There are those who disagree with it and those who agree with it. Unlike you, when I see an argument online I dont automagically filter out all opposing views. I am aware of the argument and I dont believe it will ever be settled, one way or the other.
Instead, thinking minds will evaluate the discussion, make a decision that takes into account their own diving and move on.
Back to the original post:
I personally believe there should be redundant gas supplies when a ceiling is imposed. AFAIK all agencies teach the same wrt their own courses.
What people do outside of training is their own business but I believe that most agencies / insurance companies would frown heavily on any member that dived outside of the training norms. Whether that makes a difference is up to you. Personally, I dont train anything I dont believe to be correct and necessary. Thus, i dive the way i train my students.
Can that redundant gas supply be that carried by a buddy? Sure there is a corner of the envelope where a "light" deco obligation and a good team with proper rock bottom gas planning should be able to make do with their backgas only, but why? I for sure wouldn't do it unplanned and thus no reason not to sling a 40 for the wife and kids.
That being said, Im also a guy who slings a bailout when I dive CCR regardless of depth or duration. I have no desire to lie in the ambulance thinking "man, i wish i'd taken along that tank...."