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[Drew Sailbum]

Tinman,

From everything I understand, NetDoc is not violating any standard by teaching a NAUI nitrox course concurrently with a NAUI Open Water course. I defer to him on what is allowed under those standards since he is a NAUI instructor and I am not. I would assume his professional liability insurance would cover him in such a situation as you pose.

But, an instructor who combines a PADI nitrox course with an open water course of any agency would be violating a PADI training standard. If their former student experienced an ox-tox hit and related injury or death, then the instructor may not be covered.

Its a detail, and the devil is in the details. Just ask a trial lawyer.

 

[tinman]

My keyboard was ahead of my brain this morning. I didn't realize till after initially posting that NETDOC was Naui. My apologies to all. I tried to edit but just muddy the waters.

Oversea: this discussion is no reflection on you, more a concern on the ability of students to cope with numerous factors SAFELY in all conditions. As well as standards and the variations across numerous agencies.

As you will see, this board has numerous divers from all over the world with experience far exceeding mine or yours. In addition, you will note that there are people on both ends of the spectrum as to what should be taught, and when. Stick around, you'll be amazed at what you learn. A thick skin isn't a pre-requisite, but does help at times...

 

[Amanda]

tinman once bubbled...
Imagine a couple that come to you wanting OW & take Nitrox concurrently just before going on a Liveaboard vacation...they go on the fun excursion, opt for the Nitrox & one of them gets a OxTox hit due to lack of situational awareness and bouyancy control why looking at all the pretty fish.

Now Tinman has a great point. THAT is the question to ask, becaues even if an OW diver is supposed to master his boyancy, in fact, that's often far to be true.

I mean, this is something that could happen. And I would DEFINITELY sue the Instructor if I was the surviving one in your story.

 

[Aquanaut713]

Oversea:

First of all, congratulations on completing your classes. I wish you the best of luck and can only hope you enjoy diving a portion of how much I've enjoyed it. Also, by all means get all the training that you can. Continuing education will only help to make you a more comfortable, and therefore better diver.

I'm not here to give you a hard time. I am a bit confused though. Your OW was thru SSI (all OW training dives must be between 15-60 ft; recommended that 1st dive not exceed 40 ft). I guess I can understand why you took another agencies Nitrox class. Perhaps your instructor was trying to get around the SSI training standards. I do know that the SSI training standards state that: Divers taking Specialty Diving courses are to have an Open Water Diver or Junior Open Water Diver certification or the equivalent from another certification agency. Granted, Nitrox may be taught as a non-diving specialty but my understanding would still be that you would have to have your OW cert before taking your Specialty. I will definitely check with SSI to see what they say.

That being said, I'm not trying to harp on you about this. And I'm not stating or implying that you aren't an intelligent person. I would bring these issues up with your instructor though. Personally, I'd be interested in hearing what he/she has to say about it.

This hasn't been said to turn you off of the diving community, or this forum. Just as some info only meant to be for your benefit.

Once again, good luck.
Dive Safe.........and Have Fun!!!!!!

 

[oversea]

aquanaut713, my instructor feels that it is a good time because tables are fresh in your mind and you have a good understanding of how to use them, later a computer will usually end up doing most peoples work. He prefers padi nitrox but is now moving to andi as he said he feels their course has padi beaten. i was his last padi course. he jumps around alot based upon who is giving the best material. He will teach anything you want, but has his recommendations. thanks for the input, and YES I LOVE IT.

 

[Aquanaut713]

First of all, my apologies about an error in my last post. I did check with SSI and found that the standards do allow for certain specialties to be taught prior to a student receiving their OW Certification. There is logic to these exceptions. I agree that it is a lot for a "new diver" to learn, but if it will help that person safely complete their OW dives then it would definitely pay to spend the extra time learning. Obviously, you wouldn't combine OW with a Deep Diving specialty. But to combine it with some of the others makes perfect sense. With Nitrox, it is only a matter of expanding the knowledge of the tables you have already learned to include the EAD and P02 info needed for your Nitrox.
Granted that there are some students that would have problems with this additional info, but that would be something that the instructor would be in the position to deal with on an individual basis at the time.

Oversea, I hope you enjoy your experiences in diving. From your response to my earlier post, it sounds like you are on a good start. It's truly a wonderful world out there that has now been opened up to you.