Truer words have never been spoken Doc! I posted yesterday to the "Changing Scuba Industry" thread about my issues and concerns with my original LDS, their ownership, instructors, DM's, shop staff and their business model and never even thought twice or concerned myself with writing it because I know that none of them are passionate enough about scuba diving to even be on Scubaboard- it wasn't any of them that directed me to this outstanding forum -- LOL -- It's actually really sad, but I have to laugh!-- None of that to say that I haven't taken the time to personally share my concerns with them in the past or volunteer my time and business expertise to help make a difference. It really was brought home to me when one day I saw a not yet certified diver (one classroom and one pool session) come on Scubaboard and share their fears about the quality of scuba education they were experiencing to that point and looking to this community for answers and support. After putting 2 and 2 together, I realized she was talking about my LDS! -- I took my lunch break the following day and drove over to the shop and explained to the owner that he had a disgruntled and confused student/customer and what the issues were and how I became aware of it-- I just got the deer in the headlights stare after suggesting that he might want to take the time to get on Scubaboard for any one of a hundred reasons!
Please don't ID them publicly if you think you know who it is either. It's a personal decision on my part. Other than that, I'm all for having healthy dive shops. Without them we don't have much of an industry. You can't buy air through the interwebs. Not even with an I-Air, USB air whip.
