which course is best?

[Walter]

Walter sharpens his PADI-axe constantly and I am a PADI Instructor (full disclosure ).

In what way can my post be considered a "PADI-axe?"

 

[String]

BSAC however is not recognized "anywhere on the planet as well as padi". Should it be? Sure.... but the fact of the matter is that it is not.

I'd love to see your proof of this. In fact any standard agency not being recognised. It goes against what myself and every other diver qualified that i know of has experienced.

I've yet to see any diver qualified from any agency that has been refused diving due to their agency of choice not being recognised.

As for RSTC, its best ignored. Far smaller than CMAS, mainly an american thing. Most agencies outside there arent a member (and in fact due to standards it would make CMAS affiliation null and void).

 

[MikeFerrara]

I prefer GUE. They don't have an OW program at this time, but if you find a GUE instructor (Liam Allen maybe?) who also teaches OW for another agency then that might be a good option, or maybe not, but take a look.

GUE has rolled out their enrey level course and the standards are posted on their web site. This really is the course that I'd have to recommend any potential new diver take a good hard look at.

If I read their standards correctly, the entry level course also meets the DIRF pre-req for other GUE courses so this should telling as to what level they are teaching to in the entry level course.

 

[redacted]

In addition to looking at instructors, I'd look hard at the shop, in general. After all, your initial instruction is just the first step in a relationship that can add or detract from your future diving experience. Look at the lines of equipment they carry. Talk about their willingness to compete, pricewise, with other retailers including those on the internet. Talk about service facilities and prices. Are service prices dependent on where you aquire your gear? I would expect some of them may display an attitude that will make it clear they are not the shop you want to deal with regardless of agency or instructor quality. Making the right choice now is much better than having to switch later.

 

[Walter]

In addition to looking at instructors, I'd look hard at the shop, in general. After all, your initial instruction is just the first step in a relationship that can add or detract from your future diving experience. Look at the lines of equipment they carry. Talk about their willingness to compete, pricewise, with other retailers including those on the internet. Talk about service facilities and prices. Are service prices dependent on where you aquire your gear? I would expect some of them may display an attitude that will make it clear they are not the shop you want to deal with regardless of agency or instructor quality. Making the right choice now is much better than having to switch later.

Lots of excellent instructors do not teach through shops.

 

[rakkis]

I'd love to see your proof of this. In fact any standard agency not being recognised. It goes against what myself and every other diver qualified that i know of has experienced.

I've yet to see any diver qualified from any agency that has been refused diving due to their agency of choice not being recognised.

As for RSTC, its best ignored. Far smaller than CMAS, mainly an american thing. Most agencies outside there arent a member (and in fact due to standards it would make CMAS affiliation null and void).

I have no absolute proof to provide, as I don't personally know every single dive operation in the world. Even the most well travelled diver would have a hard time with that one. However, a few posts ago, someone stated that their BSAC credential was not recognized. A single incidence is enough to prove the fact that not all places recognize BSAC. On the other hand, I understand that in France, PADI is generally not recognized... they know of PADI, they just choose not to allow a PADI trained diver get on a boat/get gear/etc.

Don't get me wrong - I'm all for BSAC. They generally turn out great divers because of the mentorship aspect generally lacking on other agencies. I just have an issue with your overgeneralizations. BSAC is kind of like LA County.... a great training agency not well known in every corner of the world because of their scope.

I don't have a soft spot for RSTC. I just brought them up as an example for the lack of a central governing body in the SCUBA industry. Such a body does not exist. It is not PADI, NAUI, RSTC, CMAS, WKPP... nobody.

 

[rakkis]

And to get back on topic....

You have different components in a SCUBA education. This list is pretty thorough, but not exhaustive.

- Your instructor's ability to teach
- The agency-provided curriculum
- Extra curriculum unique to your instructor
- Your own ability to pick up motor skills
- Your own ablity to understand what is taught
- Experience/comfort

When you think about it, all BOW classes have these components. Certain agencies and/or instructors emphasize different parts. It mostly comes down to a difference in philosophy. A great instructor will take all his resources and match them to YOU. He will present the information so that YOU can understand it and actually learn. A bad instructor will feed you out of a can. A horrible instructor will just hand you the can and a rusty can opener.

There are different approaches. You can teach to the lowest common denominator and throw uncomfortable people in the water that are incapable of planning their own dives and even then, can only dive in a pool. Or you can be all exhaustive and educate and mentor a diver to be the equivalent of what a Dive Master should be. While it is certainly a good goal to get to that point, I don't believe a beginning diver necessarily needs that right off the bat. And of course.... then, there's all the grey in the middle.

You'll find that the majority of SB members take their diving seriously. Most recognize that more experience and knowledge make them better divers. Consequently, most will agree on doing more than the bare minimum. I advice you to seek out a good instructor through word of mouth. If that's not an option, Walter's post was an excellent way to screen for a worthwhile instructor.

Good luck!

 

[Walter]

I advice you to seek out a good instructor through word of mouth.

Why? Most new divers think their instructor is a dive god. Even those who had incompetent instructors.

 

[redacted]

Lots of excellent instructors do not teach through shops.

Yes. And they should offer the added benefit of unbiased assistance in selecting gear and sources.

 

[String]

On the other hand, I understand that in France, PADI is generally not recognized... they know of PADI, they just choose not to allow a PADI trained diver get on a boat/get gear/etc.

Not quite, due to the course not meeting some of the CMAS standards it caused issues but now there is an agreement that allows you do dive there with a PADI qualification relatively easily. (This was made easier when padi updated some regional rulings to meet EN standards)

I still dont buy the "not recognised" thing. Show the QRB to a shop and they'll accept it. Any ageny, you have a card you can go diving. Agency should be the last thing on someones mind when trying to decide what course to actually do.