Thank heavens for PADI

[MikeFerrara]

The circle is now completed.

As was previously stated, PADI, SSI, NAUI all pretty much have the same basic requirements now for OW. While they've changed slightly, they have not gotten *that* much easier (an open water exploration dive being credited as an OW dive nothwithstanding). These programs have turned out reasonably safe divers for decades. Mike, I think you've got an uphill battle to fight with few weapons to use. If there were proof that these agencies turned out divers who were more unsafe than say, skiers, you would have a better chance...

I don't really have a battle to fight at all. Those who share my opinions can listen to it or even sign up for a class with me. Those who don't have an almost unlimited supply of shops to go to.

Other than having to stay away from the quarries on the weekends in the summer it's no skin off my nose.

 

[MikeFerrara]

I guess I can’t understand that. I also guess I am really fortunately that I am not involved in this type of situation. Too bad for you and your business. Is there any agency in your option that would meet your standards?

Which part don't you understand?

I don't really have a business. I teach a little when I feel like it and when there's some one who wants a class.

As far as agencies, there's a lot about IANTD that I like but if I was starting over I'd go with GUE. If they existed when I became an instructor I sure didn't know it and at this point I'm not going to start over and invest the time or the money.

 

[Former FLL Now MSP Diver]

If there were proof that these agencies turned out divers who were more unsafe than say, skiers, you would have a better chance...

No one comes out of any class an expert. You can only teach someone so much before it time to let them go and function on their own. It takes repetition and practice to get good at anything.

I remember the short flirtation I had with skydiving years ago. For $99 I got two hours of jumping off a box to the ground, tucking and rolling and practicing throwing pilot chutes and pulling t-handles - right then left. Then up to 1500 feet and out the door - twice.

Was I an expert skydiver? Not by any means. I couldn't hold my arch and spread that well. I never had the opportunity to kick out of twisted lines until it actually hapened to me - no way to practice. Would I have been safer if I had sat in a class for two days before making the jump? I doubt it. But by continuing to jump and practicing I got better each time.

Marc

 

[Tom R]

But did you know the basics?

 

[Lawman]

After a dunk in that 40 degree water if he's going to
get paid in sex it'll be time to hook up a Viagra IV.

I find the employees like to be paid money better than
sex. :07:

 

[NEWreckDiver]

Which part don't you understand?

I don't really have a business. I teach a little when I feel like it and when there's some one who wants a class.

As far as agencies, there's a lot about IANTD that I like but if I was starting over I'd go with GUE. If they existed when I became an instructor I sure didn't know it and at this point I'm not going to start over and invest the time or the money.

Maybe I am not reading you wrong, but it seems like you bash PADI every chance you get and seem to blame them for a lot. You seem like you do care about the students and I for one am glad to see it. I know there are others (instuctors) that don't.

Good luck to you

 

[MikeFerrara]

Maybe I am not reading you wrong, but it seems like you bash PADI every chance you get and seem to blame them for a lot.

You could call it "bashing" but what I like to do is discuss dive training. I am especially interested in entry level and near entry level training. As part of that I do point out what I see as deficiencies in existing standards. I generally refer to PADI standards because I was a PADI instructor and I know the standards and what it is that I don't agree with in them.

I most certainly do blame them for their own standards. I also believe they were largly responsible for other aspects of the development of the dive industry which I don't think is so good but most of that doesn't belong in this thread.

 

[GDI]

What?

PADI's marketing generates a lot of interest into the diving industry that other wise would not be there. Most other agencies are not large enough to produce such a marketing strategy although they are starting to come up to bat. (and I think they need to). Not everyone that sees a PADI advertisement will be trained by PADI but the seed of wanting to dive may have being placed in their head by a PADI marketing scheme. Also I have received a letter from TDI/SDI that they will be working to further develop the market for diving and are hoping to even work with other agencies to make the sport more public awarness. They believe that there are plenty of fish that need to see the sea.

 

[MikeFerrara]

PADI's marketing generates a lot of interest into the diving industry that other wise would not be there. Most other agencies are not large enough to produce such a marketing strategy although they are starting to come up to bat. (and I think they need to). Not everyone that sees a PADI advertisement will be trained by PADI but the seed of wanting to dive may have being placed in their head by a PADI marketing scheme. Also I have received a letter from TDI/SDI that they will be working to further develop the market for diving and are hoping to even work with other agencies to make the sport more public awarness. They believe that there are plenty of fish that need to see the sea.

I agree that they have introduced lots of people to diving. I'm just not totally convinced that it's a good thing at least not the way they do it. In fact I think the numbers game in diving has maybe done a few things to hold diving back.

When other agencies decide to try to "promote better" it sometimes mean that they're about to dumb down their entry level training to reduce percieved bariers to entry and better compete with other more accessible sports like bowling. It gets more people in the water but I'm not sure it gets them diving. I guess I'm saying that while it'll make more money for some dive shops today (most of which are...well not good) and a bunch of money for some manufacturers (who mostly make junk) It might not be good for diving (or some divers) in the long run.

 

[Lawman]

because it's so easy to lose the point of the thread and
get into training standards and who's best, toughest,etc.

In the big picture diving is a sport competing with dozens of others for the recreational dollar. The bigger it is the more people and interest. More dive sites. More shipwrecks like
Speigel Grove. More dive boats. More ScubaBoard...

We can stay exclusive with the fan base of Arena Football and Curling or we can expand. I favor expanding. I like the additional financial and political clout. We can influence fisheries policy, reef protection, and usage of underwater resources like the Tortugas if we're a big enough interest group that politicians have to consider us when making policy.
That's why PADI is the future for us.Courier New