Why all the politics?

[Choke]

Sorry to raise this issue as I'm sure it's been answered a 1000 times before, but why so much politics between different agencies?

I have just started training at a PADI school in London,UK and have no complaints at all. The instructors there have been 1st class with their tuition and have never said anything bad about any other schools. The political thing was only brought to my attention after visiting this board and seeing the 'who is better' threads.

From where I'm standing I couldn't care less who thinks which agency is better. As long as I'm having maximum fun while at the same time picking up all the necessary info on safety etc, I'm as happy as a pig in shi.............

Just curious to know why so much tension?

 

[decapoddiver]

I think it has alot to with the "Well I went through -blank- agency to get my training therefore it must have been the best and far superior to all the others". I agree with your point. Be safe, learn good skills and have fun.

 

[Choke]

For me it's ALL about fun. I have no aspirations to become a Navy seal or the next James Bond. I just want to learn all the necessities while at the same time being able to have a good laugh and in turn become a competent enough diver that doesn't need to be baby sitted by the DM's.

 

[Starfish]

Many of us have adopted the philosophy that certification to dive is a drivers license; we all know the basic rules and agree to abide by them.
You may drive a BMW 5-speed and I may drive a Ford pick-up truck automatic, but we are both driving. And we both understand what it means for you to be from the U.K. and I from the USA (you drive on the left when you are in London, and right in the States).

--Starfish

 

[Ontario Diver]

Originally posted by Choke
... I have no aspirations to become a Navy seal or the next James Bond. ...

So I guess you are not interested in the new "SUPERSPY DIVER" PADI Specialty class.

You'd learn such skills as

1) Rubber Shark Combat
2) How to win an underwater combat by cutting the bad guy's air hose - while a cool action soundtrack plays in the background
3) Develop you Air Consumption so that you can swim 72 miles on a single AL80
4) Shooting Spear Guns from the hip
5) Underwater Driving (the Lotus Esprit option)
6) how to wear Evening wear (Tux or gown) under a wet suit so it doesn't wrinkle
7) Offensive Scooter Driving

Oh and the course is held in ..... the Bahamas and Jamacia


(Jest having some fun )

 

[Blargh]

Originally posted by Ontario Diver
6) how to wear Evening wear (Tux or gown) under a wet suit so it doesn't wrinkle

DRY suit, OD, it was a dry suit.

 

[jbd]

I think NetDoc has taken the Super Spy course. The computer thing is just his cover. He must be off on a mission though 'cuz he hasn't posted in a while.

Back to Choke's question. I think it mostly has to do with differing opinions on how things are done or presented. Most of it is philosophical. Sort of similar to the Christian religion--Catholics,Protestants, Methodists, Baptist, Pentecosts, etc etc. They all believe the same basic thing but follow those beliefs just a little differently and in many cases are willing to kill over those differences.

The key for any students is to learn as much about diving as you can and to learn the skills taught well. When you get your certification you have earned the right to practice and hone those skills to a high degree of competency and to expand your diving knowledge.

 

[SaltyWhale]

Originally posted by Ontario Diver

So I guess you are not interested in the new "SUPERSPY DIVER" PADI Specialty class.

You'd learn such skills as

1) Rubber Shark Combat
2) How to win an underwater combat by cutting the bad guy's.....................
(Jest having some fun )

Let's not forget the most interesting of all....

- Having forced to buddy up with a gorgeous looking lady........

(Cracking some fun too..... )

 

[ScubyDoo]

Originally posted by Ontario Diver


So I guess you are not interested in the new "SUPERSPY DIVER" PADI Specialty class.

You'd learn such skills as

1) Rubber Shark Combat
2) How to win an underwater combat by cutting the bad guy's air hose - while a cool action soundtrack plays in the background

Lets not forget about "breathing for five minutes off an emergency air source which has two itty bitty little bottles you could hide in your hand" trick. In reality you might get two breaths out of them at best.

On the subject of politics, I agree with an earlier post. I think a lot of it is "My cert agency is better than yours" sort of attitude. Deeper than that though, I believe there is very large bias against PADI inparticular. Most of this bias appears to come from older divers who were diving long before PADI was concieved. The commercial success of PADI has resulted in massive numbers of new recreational divers, and I believe this somehow threatens the egos of some of the older divers. In order to protect thier rose colored vision of what scuba diving is or should be, they discredit that which threatens thier view of it. Just my opinion. Myself, Im PADI and believe my instruction was absolutely superb. Im sure the other certifying agencies do a fine job as well.

 

[Daniel Joubert]

From what I've seen and heard over the years, the politics become most notable when daiscussing safety issues. Especially during the preparation of student divers. I've personally witnessed the down-side of training students in one day and then taking them 3 kilometres into the sea and expecting them to perform in a safe and professional manner. Whilst I am sure many people have successfully done such "resort divers" courses, one cannot help feeling that money is of importance and not safety!? I am a CMAS trained diver and I believe in their policy of ensuring that students are as fit and well trained as possible, requiring at least 5 pool sessions (including rather strenuous swimming exercises,submerged swims, duck dives etc), 5 classroom sessions, and so on, before sanctioning open water dives. This does not lend itself to rapid turn-over of time-restricted tourists, however, and thus some corners are usually cut by the more "commercilly orientated" agencies. All the agencies have their poor, good and brilliant instructors and I suppose that at the end of the day they all achieve the same objecives. It is up to you to choose! JUST LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN AND BE SAFE!!!!!!