'Super-cheap' dive qualification to only 3m/10ft

[DevonDiver]

Saw this article online. I'm often baffled at why scuba diving is the only training-related industry where low price and volume sale seems the sole focus of course design and agency targeting. A 3m/10ft depth qualification following some brief online study, a questionnaire, one pool session and a single training dive?!?

Not sure about it being "internationally recognized"...
Basic scuba more affordable than ever - Divernet

Basic scuba training more affordable than ever

7 July 2013, updated 8 July
A substantial price cut has been announced for a one-day scuba training course which qualifies people to dive in shallow water.

The Microdive RYA 3-Metre Basic Diver course has been reduced from £249 to £149, with the charge per head dropping even further to £120 in a block booking of four people or more.

The pricing represents the lowest British cost available for learning to dive in safety and obtaining an internationally recognised scuba diving qualification.

The course is administered by HSE-approved scuba training agency Microdive of Canvey Island in Essex, which sells the Mini-B miniature and enclosed scuba system.

It is being taught by Andark Diving in Southampton, Hampshire and by the National Diving Centre at Stoney Cove, Leicestershire. Students can choose between Mini-B or conventional scuba equipment.

Certification qualifies a diver to explore to a maximum depth of just 3m. The course is greatly simplified by the fact that extensive decompression theory is not required for such diving.

Students receive a training pack which they read in their own time before completing a questionnaire to show that they understand the main theories of shallow water scuba diving.

A pool diving session is followed by an open-water or lake dive, successful completion leading to certification.

For established divers, the course represents an inexpensive, gentle way of introducing family and friends to diving, with more advanced training always an option for those who get hooked.

The Royal Yachting Association has adopted the course as an RYA training option, given the benefit of Microdiving to boaters in being able to inspect and maintain their hulls.

The RYA also stipulates the qualification as a requirement for powerboat racers who may need to extricate themselves from a craft that has flipped.
All Microdive courses include accident and civil liability insurance through Lloyds of London for the duration of the activity.

 

[Bob DBF]

WTF!

Now that you have certification to fill your tanks, what stops you at 3m, a tether and float? May be Brits are just more law abiding than folks in the states. Although your yacht may have a 4m keel the last meter would have to stay un-cleaned, or you would have to ride your racing powerboat to the bottom if you couldn't get out in the first 3m as it goes down.

Actually I just want to know how long before the PADI cert?



Bob
-------------------------------
Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[scubafanatic]

WTF!

Now that you have certification to fill your tanks, what stops you at 3m, a tether and float? May be Brits are just more law abiding than folks in the states. Although your yacht may have a 4m keel the last meter would have to stay un-cleaned, or you would have to ride your racing powerboat to the bottom if you couldn't get out in the first 3m as it goes down.

Actually I just want to know how long before the PADI cert?

Bob
-------------------------------
Inquiring minds want to know.

I'm waiting to see the 'sidemount to 3 m micro dive' cert, might be fun to dive your local city sewer system!

 

[ianr33]

WTF!
Although your yacht may have a 4m keel the last meter would have to stay un-cleaned, or you would have to ride your racing powerboat to the bottom if you couldn't get out in the first 3m as it goes down.

You would need to do the Advanced Microdive course for that.

But wait! Unbelievably there actually is more! Become TRUELY Scuba Certified in 1 day! and Dive Anywhere In the World

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Of course there is the gene pool thinning that may result. So let's not look at it as all bad. Ever see some of the twits in their yachting caps and blazers? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDPTC-yAmgo

 

[knotical]

On the other hand,

Interesting. Had never heard of this. Was initially skeptical of the phrases “internationally recognized” and “HSE-approved” but I did find Microdive on HSE’s approved list at:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/diving/qualifications/approved-list.pdf
along with BSAC, PADI, and more than a dozen others.

It also is condoned by the Royal Yacht Association, see:
Prop Torque | Mar13 | Up to Speed | e-Newsletters | News & Events | RYA
and:
http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectio... Documents/Rule Book PB12013 no officials.pdf

Presumably the 3-metre Basic Diver course includes admonitions to not go below that depth without further training, just as traditional courses have similar admonitions about venturing beyond other depths.

 

[tracydr]

What's an enclosed scuba system? Or, a mini-B system? Do you have to buy these special systems to do the course?
Wow, OW instructor course is one day,too!

 

[Colliam7]

I'm often baffled at why scuba diving is the only training-related industry where low price and volume sale seems the sole focus of course design and agency targeting. A 3m/10ft depth qualification following some brief online study, a questionnaire, one pool session and a single training dive?!?

I suspect it has more to do with finding the cheapest way to get people started - and, hopefully, 'hooked' on the diving experience - after which more courses can be sold. Yes, it is a volume 'thing'. But, I don't think that is found only in scuba. For almost 20 years, I have been a member of a flying club (now in its 52nd year of continuous operation), where we offer aviation experience - training and aircraft rental - 'at the lowest possible cost' (wording from our mission statement). That doesn't mean we cut corners on safety, or training, or maintenance, at all. Rather, we want to allow as many people as possible to learn to fly competently, safely, and economically. We have an excellent safety record, because that is our primary emphasis. But, while we are 'not for profit', volume helps, so we are always looking to recruit new members. More members supports a larger cadre of instructors, more airplanes in the fleet, etc.

Having said all that, a 10 ft maximum depth for a scuba certification does seem to be rather absurd. But, if there turns out to be a market, then this group may be on to something.

Actually I just want to know how long before the PADI cert?

Hmm. I think that has come and gone. That was tried several years ago with the 'Controlled Environment' certification which, thankfully, lasted only a short while before being discontinued.

 

[DanLW]

Wow. With that short a course, and just one dive, I see problems. For example, let's say our newly minted "Microdivers" are serious about not breaking the 10ft floor. I kinda doubt that they'd have the buoyancy control and situatioal awareness tools necessary to not accidentally go below 10ft. I'd bet they could find themselves 20-30 feet deep before they even realize they've busted their floor. Heck, most divers with a basic C card probably don't have the skill to not break such a shallow floor.

But then again, this is the UK, not the tropics. I'm guessing the water gets pretty dark at relatively shallow depths...

 

[ScubaSteve1962]

WTF!

Now that you have certification to fill your tanks, what stops you at 3m, a tether and float? May be Brits are just more law abiding than folks in the states. Although your yacht may have a 4m keel the last meter would have to stay un-cleaned, or you would have to ride your racing powerboat to the bottom if you couldn't get out in the first 3m as it goes down.

Actually I just want to know how long before the PADI cert?



Bob
-------------------------------
Inquiring minds want to know.

Probably the same scuba police that stops us from going deep, into wrecks, caves, and all the other things we're not supposed to be doing unless you have had adequate training. Oh wait, there is none it's up to the individual to not exceed their training. Maybe the Brits believe in personal responsibility instead of everyone else need to look out for me. Why is the first notion to blame the agency's (PADI) instead of the individual divers who often go beyond their training? We have to face it, if it wasn't for people diving as a hobby, the diving "Industry" would not exist. so of course they are going to try and find new ways to get more people interested in diving. It's called marketing, everybody does it.