Solo Diver Required text...check this out

[jagfish]

I plan on going to Thailand this spring to do the SDI Solo Diver course, do some fun some diving, and oh yeah, I almost forgot I have to do some work as well.

Anyway, I inquired at two operations about the course, preparation, text, etc. Regarding the text, the first place gave me the ISBN number of the text, which is: "Solo Diving" - The art of self sufficiency by Robert Von Maier, 2nd Edition

OK, so I am thinking, no sweat, I have this book, though admittedly, I have not read it thoroughly yet. I asked the other operation the same question, and they told me the same text, with this interesting note:

"Note:-
For students wishing to attend this course and be awarded the solo diver rating, TDI requires them to purchase a special authorised version from a TDI facility that includes the students certification reference number printed on the cover."

Unbeliveable or what? I can see if they wrote the book, but...

JAG

 

[H2Andy]

yes... i think unless they add material to the book or something, it's just a way
for them to make more money.

i'd hate to think that without more evidence. did you ask them if they have special
appendixes or extra material in their version?

 

[jagfish]

Asked mate
I was hoping they would say there is more; techniques, commentary, added chapters, anything to make me feel good. When I inquired, the reply was, and I quote,
"the book is the same."

Is SDI/TDI doing OK monitarily? Do they really need the book sales to boost income? If so, why don't they write their own text?

Heck, we do it once every two years at my university whether we need a new text or not. Good for the departmental coffers!

JAG

 

[H2Andy]

man, i hate that... must make every little penny out of it they can...

blows

 

[glbirch]

I plan on going to Thailand this spring to do the SDI Solo Diver course, do some fun some diving, and oh yeah, I almost forgot I have to do some work as well.

Anyway, I inquired at two operations about the course, preparation, text, etc. Regarding the text, the first place gave me the ISBN number of the text, which is: "Solo Diving" - The art of self sufficiency by Robert Von Maier, 2nd Edition

OK, so I am thinking, no sweat, I have this book, though admittedly, I have not read it thoroughly yet. I asked the other operation the same question, and they told me the same text, with this interesting note:

"Note:-
For students wishing to attend this course and be awarded the solo diver rating, TDI requires them to purchase a special authorised version from a TDI facility that includes the students certification reference number printed on the cover."

Unbeliveable or what? I can see if they wrote the book, but...

JAG

Just wondering, is that from TDI or is it the LDS in Thailand trying to make some extra cash by selling you the 'authorized' version?

 

[RICHinNC]

I read that book and thought it lacked in the utmost manner. (Fancy for it sucked)

 

[AzAtty]

With a newer course like solo diving, the agency should be concerned (and rightly so) about ensuring that the agency and instructor do everything to apprise the diver of the possible risks of solo diving. With the prevailing industry wisdom being "don't dive solo," being among the first agencies to offer a solo diving class is practically an engraved invitation to a lawsuit.

When a client of mine is engaged in a risky business, and their only defense is assumption of the risk or disclosure, I tell them to document EVERYTHING they do to disclose the risks. The requirement that the text be purchased from a TDI facility and be embossed with the student's certification number is a rather ingenious way of proving that the student purchased a copy of a genuine text. And I would not be the least bit surprised to learn that that TDI's student records contain a cross reference to the text purchase transaction.

So it's not necessarily about making a couple of extra bucks. If the above policy were common for all TDI classes, then I might think otherwise. For its solo diving class, though, I think TDI is creating an evidentiary trail for when they get sued over a solo diving accident.

 

[HammerNoMore]

I read that book and thought it lacked in the utmost manner. (Fancy for it sucked)

Coudn't agree more. It might have been somwhat usefull in its day but it's horribly out dated.

James

 

[Gary D.]

man, i hate that... must make every little penny out of it they can...

blows

Wait until you see you see how much the price has gone up for "Underwater Basket Weaving" and "Underwater Gas Passing".

Money grabbing cheap skates. :toilet_cl

Gary D.

 

[Rick Inman]

Wait until you see you see how much the price has gone up for "Underwater Basket Weaving" and "Underwater Gas Passing".

Money grabbing cheap skates. :toilet_cl

Gary D.

I have a dive tomorrow morning and dinner with you tonight, so I might need that second book you mentioned...