The cost of Padi

[wreckchick]

Catherine,

I am so not understanding what has you so upset. I understand that you're aware of a situation regarding some local acquaintences involving PADIs logo fair use policy. None of us are saying it didn't happen, only pointing out the guidelines that we're aware of and been using.

I'm not seeing you criticizing PADI, nor is anyone here particularly defending them. There have been MANY acts attributed to PADI that don't have a thing to do with PADI HQ.

If you choose to change over to fully DIR compliant way of diving, you'll find a lot more criticism about the way you conduct yourself than you're seeing now.

My advice, not that you or anyone should particularly care, go dive. Have fun and take pictures. This is the internet, it only bears a passing resemblance to real life.

Rachel

 

[Cacia]

I dive pretty often.

Well, Rachel from what I have seen, the DIR folks have been pretty helpful. And "conducting myself" ...you mean the speaking part?

Besides, it has been raining for days and days. Big surf, do I have to dive in that?

catherine

 

[nyprrthd]

Catherine,

Don't be chased away by people who can only get their point across by "screaming." There are those that lose sight of the fact that they are having a conversation with (for the most part) total strangers, across cyberspace. If they don't like what you are saying, they can ignore you or go on to another thread. Or, in the interest of an open forum, disagree with you in a civil manner. If they feel that a topic has been beaten to death, they can either state that as their opinion, or not read any more threads on the topic. Too many folks use the anonymity of internet forums to vent their frustrations. Personally, I don't tolerate screamers in real life, and I ignore them in cyberspace. Once someone starts screaming, I immediately discount anything else they have to say.

BTW, you are an incredible photographer!

 

[Cacia]

well, thanks. I am technically really poor but I am working on it. I am excited about the things I see, and I look forward to the day I can execute that in my images.

You are right about cyberspace. ALL my experience in cyberspac is right here on SB. Never been anywhere else. I illustrate my posts just to practice computer skills 101!

 

[TheRedHead]

So if you want to promote your divecentre, you need to shell out about $540 to Padi, and become a IRRA member. Otherwise, you can use the logo's to promote YOUR services, but not the ones of the shop you happen to be paid/employed/exploited/used/<fill in the blanks> by.

E

If I want to display the BBB sticker on my business, I have to shell out a bunch to the Better Business Bureau. What is the difference in PADI membership and BBB membership as far as the point you are making?

 

[wreckchick]

All I was saying about the DIR folk is there is a set of guidelines they use to plan and execute dives and the way the vast majority of divers actually dive doesn't fall into anything the DIR people would accept as DIR. MOST of the DIR guys are very helpful, although you're the first person I've ever heard use that as the first adjective describing them. Understand also that DIR is a philosophy, PADI is a training organization. Apples and oranges.

R

 

[daniel f aleman]

Catherine,

You questions are valid, of course. Over the last thirty years I've noticed that PADI has realised that con-ed is their business model; compartmentalization of information to specific teaching programs is the result. One of the reasons OW water is what it is, is that pushing education after OW retains divers. Feed just enough information, reduce task loading, and get divers into the sport. Continued participation through stepping-stone education is the key, and the books reflect that.

 

[Cacia]

Dan,
Good point. I would like the calculations to be better supported in the materials though. I think they have a responsibility to get some "educational consultants" on that to improve the current presentation. But honestly? A lot of education majors are not that good at math. ok....don't emphasize arithmetic enough.
I just like to ..give input.

 

[rockjock3]

I phoned around a few more dive shops yesterday and the cheapest AOW manual that I could get was 2400thai baht. Although this is a lot cheaper than the 3075 thai baht the dive supply were charging , it is still a 30% increase from late last year.

I would also like to say that if Padi have not increased the price by what would be a normal 5 or so % percent , since deciding that everyone has to buy the book ( the pink form that goes back is included in the pack ) , then I humbly apologies to Padi and everyone that took offence by my posting.
It was honestly not my intention to do any padi bashing , and I am and will remain a padi member.
I agree with having to have the manual and think that padi provide a valuable service to the diving community , But also think that padi should keep in mind that they started out as an organization to provide good training and make diving safe for us all , and not to make as much money as possible

Just buy the book on ebay or other online source. You can get the whole pack for between $24-35 USD.

 

[rockjock3]

Let's face it, it IS about the money in a lot of ways. This is not just a PADI thing, but an LDS thing as well.

If they were interested in saving students some bucks, the LDS would have a library of PADI materials, photocopies of the quizes for the students to complete, and they could show the DVD in the class. The students could check out the materials maybe for a small fee, complete the couse work, and then return the materials back to the LDS.

Instead they required every student to buy the Stupid DVD (and IMO most are worthless), and they want every student to purchase the books. From an enviornmental standpoint, this is NOT a good approach. If the LDS had a set of 10-20 copies of each course, than those copies would be used by thousands of students.

My dive shop does this with the DVDs. You rent the DVD (pay the full price incase you don't bring it back). When you are done you simply return it and get a full refund. My wife is now going through the course. After she finishes next week I will exchange her DVD for the Rescue diver DVD for my class in late April. Once I am done with that I will return it and get the rental price back.