drrich2
Contributor
Hi:
The move towards Nitrox courses that are online only, not requiring dives, got me wondering what other subject matter might be appropriate for this style of education.
On this forum, it's often stated that some instructors 'beef up' their courses (such as basic OW) with content such as gas planning (e.g.: SAC, RMV, estimating gas consumption & factoring in reserves, etc...), and of course, some people like to at least train with the tables at some point (whether they retain that proficiency and use it over time or not).
I assume that a gifted, dedicated person could design an 'online only' class, and perhaps get PADI (or SSI, etc...) to set it up as a distinctive specialty? This could make a relevant, excellent online course available to a very large number of students. And you know 'getting a new cert.' is a motivator to some people, regardless of how silly some of you may think that is (but let's not veer off on a tangent debating PADI's Master Diver cert. for the umpteenth time!!!).
Think outside the box - Jim Lapenta has posted before about how diving can be dangerous (if you don't know what you're doing). You could do a 'Risk Assessment' course, including content on relative frequency of diving related serious injuries and deaths, and risk factors leading to them. How about locally relevant courses on hazardous marine life?
I know adding 'hands on' real world diving experience is necessary for many things, and can add something to most anything, but there are topics for which it's not strictly necessary.
What content (if any) would you like to see taught this way?
Richard.
The move towards Nitrox courses that are online only, not requiring dives, got me wondering what other subject matter might be appropriate for this style of education.
On this forum, it's often stated that some instructors 'beef up' their courses (such as basic OW) with content such as gas planning (e.g.: SAC, RMV, estimating gas consumption & factoring in reserves, etc...), and of course, some people like to at least train with the tables at some point (whether they retain that proficiency and use it over time or not).
I assume that a gifted, dedicated person could design an 'online only' class, and perhaps get PADI (or SSI, etc...) to set it up as a distinctive specialty? This could make a relevant, excellent online course available to a very large number of students. And you know 'getting a new cert.' is a motivator to some people, regardless of how silly some of you may think that is (but let's not veer off on a tangent debating PADI's Master Diver cert. for the umpteenth time!!!).
Think outside the box - Jim Lapenta has posted before about how diving can be dangerous (if you don't know what you're doing). You could do a 'Risk Assessment' course, including content on relative frequency of diving related serious injuries and deaths, and risk factors leading to them. How about locally relevant courses on hazardous marine life?
I know adding 'hands on' real world diving experience is necessary for many things, and can add something to most anything, but there are topics for which it's not strictly necessary.
What content (if any) would you like to see taught this way?
Richard.