ScubaFeenD
Contributor
I understand the value of such classes NOW. I think I MIGHT be able to talk someone who was pretty darned sure they were going to be an active diver into such a class. But someone who's going on a cruise to the South Pacific and wants to do a few dives? Not so much.
We're not going to transform the diving education industry into GUE classes. So what we have to do is try to educate consumers and instructors that it is possible to deliver a better quality OW class under CURRENT conditions. And it is. At the very least, someone like me should have come out of her OW class inspired by superb role models.
I feel like it is all smoke an mirrors though. I am biased though, because I feel like if people aren't willing to spend a little extra up front to get the kills necessary to keep themselves, me, and the reef safe then why are we certifying them and giving them false senses of security.
I certainly dont think GUE is the only way to go; it certainly isn't for everyone. UTD isn't either, although they seem to spread a much more mainstream high quality message. What I would like to see is instructors holding people to a higher standard and at least exposing them to the concepts that every diver should have. No need for a 1500 dollar OW class, but skimping on education while worrying about the profit margin on a set of fins seems ridiculous. The dive industry is really its worst enemy, and while we can CHOSE our buddies, the reefs have no choice regarding who gets to play on it.
I have been lucky though, and on the internet, on SB, and in the real world I have been able to find some AMAZING mentors. It wasn't easy though, and I feel for all those potentially amazing divers drowning in the business model of large scale diver certification factories.