... or maybe that's how the instructors were taught, and how they were taught to teach ... and so they believe that's how it should be done.
Quite likely ... were it not for a few mentors showing me alternatives ... that's how I'd be teaching ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
It is hard to break a long chain of incompetence that reaches back several generations, thorugh the instructors, to their trainers to their trainers' trainers, they reinforce incompetence to the point that now they've made it the industry norm, and then when faced with that fact they add on additional small modules like AOL, PPD and rescue to attempt to compensate for their initial error(s).
Good point, but I'm talking about folks who argue against teaching to a higher level, not those who are unaware of the possibilities.
In my experience the people who argue against teaching at a higher level fall into one of several categories: those who can't perform at a higher level themselves; those who'd slice the O/W course up into many, many separately priced products, I expect some day to see a program where each pool and ocean session has a separate card and certificate suitable for framing, and pricetag; those with distain for their students, who think that their students are too stupid or clumsy to perform at a higher level.
Walter, you seem all over the place... you on a rant today?
"the problem with giving them the skills to not be awkward or unstable is the outlook that vacation divers don't need that level"
What do others' opinions or "outlooks" have to do with the manner in which you teach your class? Focus on yourself, your weaknesses, and how you can learn from others mistakes and you'll see the world from a healthier perspective.
You seem to be suggesting --sorry if I misunderstood-- that you're shaping your course around low industry standards that you disagree with... but yet you're conforming while also routinely griping about it on scubaboard?
I think you misunderstand Walter.
"Good point, but I'm talking about folks who argue against teaching to a higher level."
Nobody is arguing against the instructors teaching to higher standards, though some are questioning whether longer classes and exorbitant tuition is the best solution. I might agree to some higher OW standards, in principle, but its fantasy-land (and agency anti-trust violations) to expect major changes to the introductory scuba course.
Lots of people are arguing against it, even you appear to be arguing against it.
And my personal favorite: "I had to put in hundreds of dives to develop my skills, why should new divers get a short cut? I had to pay my dues, they should pay theirs."
So your justification for raising standards, as it sounds to me, is because it took you X long to master, X long it must be for everyone?
That's a new one to me.
For certain, because otherwise your YMCA four-month course wasn't really as effective as you suggest or its just you. Eek! I have a couple relatives from YMCA certifications and I've never seen more poorly educated divers sadly ignorant of almost every contemporary diving principle, so when I hear old-skoolers bragging about the good ole days I sort of have to laugh.
Just because your realatives may have had a YMCA instructor who just met minimum Y standards does not mean that other Y programs were no vastly superior, you guys keep forgetting that the "top" on such programs is not restricted, just the bottom.
Different debate. And although I've seen many divers I personally wouldn't have let go in the water without a DM (or mentor) had I been responsible for them, accident statistics hint that I'm wrong.
Fatalities, or even injuries, are a very poor measure. It's pretty hard to hurt yourself at a "bunny slope" dive site, though not impossible. But it is pretty easy to be uncomfortable and frightened ... hence the sky-high drop out rate, a much better measure.
The skills of the diver, of course, will depend on the instruction.
Yes, but also the diver's preparation for the course and motivation.
But all certifications are equivalent in the sense that most dive operators will accept c-cards from any agency. For the purpose of booking a trip on a boat, it doesn't matter if you got your certification in a box of cereals or if you took an incredibly long, thorough and exacting course - as long as you have an official looking piece of plastic with your name on it.
The point that the video so perfectly demonstrates is that despite the fact that any c-card will get you on the boat, all certifications are not equivalent.