The cost of Padi

[TheRedHead]

My point is that $78.00 is not an exhoribant price for the PADI crewpak. I'm not sure about the DM course teaching physics...I learned gas laws in chemistry. What's the real point?

 

[cesar]

My thoughts on the matter exactly. When I started diving, I was ready to embark on a journey where you would need knowledge, skills and ultimatively experience in order to experience diving safely.

I was dead serious about diving and more than a little put off when I bought the OW and AID books... I have the DM manual too. Making people believe that everything is about FUN, FUN, FUN by masking the bare hard facts and dangers in just so much mush made me feel a little bit like I have been taken for a ride.

Maybe it comes down to personal preference, being not an American and having been brought up by parents with rather analytical minds, but I think the books could use some editing, more towards treating people like actual grown-ups. Like they are now, I have seen 3rd grade school books that are written more concise.

Apart from that, I actually enjoyed the PADI training approach. The instructors I have seen were all very good and conscientious and taught the necessary knowledge in a way more earnest fashion.

PADI is good at teaching people the principles of recreational diving. The rest should come with experience.

No joke I used to say "why are the course materials kinda stupid?" Being an edumacated person and diving for over 9 years now I have jumped in the water with some really dumb people. <Ones that cant read> I dont know who trained them and I dont care. Point is some people are retarded(yes i said it)and want to dive. I live in this area where people drive tractors, and raise hens and marry their cousins and by having the materials at a 3rd grade level they understand it. You never know Dumb Bobby Joe Jones might just save your life underwater because of the pictures in the book, and not the calculus, trig, and other physics which everyone should know.

 

[Cacia]

My point is that $78.00 is not an exhoribant price for the PADI crewpak. I'm not sure about the DM course teaching physics...I learned gas laws in chemistry. What's the real point?

I had two semesters of college physics also. I guess one of my points is that I think they could teach the math portion in a better way. And I think the books are overpriced considering the content. Tell me, do you think there is a constructive way to discuss the quality of PADI, given that consumers have choices? Or should I just go in MOF and post "gossip alerts" for fun?...what, exactly is the point of "that", redhat?

 

[ScubyDoo]

I'm not sure about the DM course teaching physics...I learned gas laws in chemistry. What's the real point?

Perhaps there are people who want to be a divemaster who havent taken a chemistry class before? Maybe its been 25-30 years since thier last chemistry course? I just completed the DM course not long ago, and found the physics portion very very helpful. Not all, but most of the physics related coursework is directly related to diving and its effects on diving, which isnt taught in most chemistry or physics courses. The same applies to diving physiology. Many practicing physicians are unaware of how diving affects human physiologoy, even though they at 1 ATA, they are experts.

 

[oly5050user]

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.

we do this with the video/dvd also/Except that when you return it you get a store credit only..I find most people keep them..

 

[Cacia]

Scoobydoo, do you see a need for more test type questions "worked out", or is there a good source that I just don't know about?

Oly50, I might have misunderstood an earlier point, but I thought I understood the new update as prohibiting this practice and that each student had to possess the manuals now? Maybe I misunderstood that?

 

[alcina]

Each student must have a copy, I believe. They do not have to purchase a new copy from the same store they do the course with. They could borrow a friends, buy from another store...etc. I see no way to enforce having to purchase the manual from the instructor/dive centre the student does the course without penalizing said instructor/dive centre (actually there is a penalty to the dive centre when the student doesn't buy a manual, but that's beyond the scope of this conversation). Some students like to buy the manual ahead of time from their local shop but do the course later on holiday, for instance...

 

[Cacia]

Each student must have a copy, I believe. They do not have to purchase a new copy from the same store they do the course with. They could borrow a friends, buy from another store...etc. I see no way to enforce having to purchase the manual from the instructor/dive centre the student does the course with without penalizes said instructor/dive centre. Some students like to buy the manual ahead of time from their local shop but do the course later on holiday, for instance...

Alcina, do you know if this "training update" is a desire to phase out the LDS "libraries" of checking out DVD's and manuals?

 

[alcina]

Have a look at your (DMs and Instructors in PADI get training bulletins and updates four times a year) most recent little pack, all the new info should be in there ...I haven't actually even received my 4th Quarter 2005 yet and I've been too lazy to get online and fight with the site!

As a business, and let's not forget the training agencies are there to make money, I am sure they wish to sell as many of their products as possible. I know I want to sell as much as possible in my own business

 

[Cacia]

Well, the store owner has a very legitimate position even though it might be somewhat different from the "consumer's". I think that might be why feedback about PADI, even well-meaning, might not always be welcome. What is a good way to give feedback to PADI? I know as a medical professional, I found a mistake on one of the test questions and called them, and the physician agreed with me (DAN) about the question but I believe it is still on the test. (not positive) Sometimes changes take a long time. And is there a place on SB to discuss PADI? Or is that off limits?