I Like Akimbo's comments above ^^^^
My thoughts on course structure would be thus:
Entry Level Lite. This is primarily designed for resort divers (I know many here hate them but this is where the majority start IMHO) Basically it would be stripped down to all but the essential theory and some of the less likely skills removed (don doff BCD in water for instance) The cert for this would only qualify persons to dive in groups guided by an instructor or assistant instructor (for arguments sake) with a depth limit of say 15m in areas where there is a hard bottom not more than say 5m below it. The person would have to keep neutral +/- 1m and remain horizontal (ish) I would see it as somewhere between DSD and OW
Level 1:
Would teach Nitrox from the off, Drysuits Basic Rescue skills and basic DSMB. Although it would be a no deco cert, basic gas planning would be taught. Buoyancy control would be say +/- 0.75m whilst whilst performing skills The diver should also be able to come to a halt and remain in position over an object. Navigation would also be taught MAx depth say 20m but allowed to dive in water deeper than that. They'd also perform Frog and flutter kicks. There would be an allowance for the lite course to contribute to this course if doing the whole course, or by completing modules (practical and theroy) you could move from Lite to Full
Level 2 Would take everything one more level - Buoyancy would be tightened to say +/-0.5m, Skills polished, introduce back kicks, bring in decompression and more gas planning Adv Rescue and EFR - 40m depth better Nav using and carrying Ponies etc DSMB form mid water. You get the idea. Importantly there would be a requirement for a minimum amount of logged dive hours to be completed prior post entry Level. 30?
Level 3 Take Level 2 and refine it further, be able to plan and and lead a dive for a small group Learn Tides, charts, weather site selection and dive briefs. Move into Accelerated Deco tighter buoyancy +/-0.3m More advance rescue - i.e managing the incident and calling in support. Again minimum number of logged dive hours from L2 - 50?
L2 and L3 would require further class room time to extend theory . The idea is to not only focus on and polish skills but to be a more complete diver. a L2 would be able to sit an Assistant instructor course but to become a Guide and or Instructor you would need L3.
Certainly all training and certification would be audited - independent instructors would be welcome, However All Instructors would require a refresher course every 3 years to update them on changes and to ensure they could still do the job. Instructors would need to instruct to remain current, not receive a card for "status" then never practice.
Numbers given above are for example only.
My thoughts on course structure would be thus:
Entry Level Lite. This is primarily designed for resort divers (I know many here hate them but this is where the majority start IMHO) Basically it would be stripped down to all but the essential theory and some of the less likely skills removed (don doff BCD in water for instance) The cert for this would only qualify persons to dive in groups guided by an instructor or assistant instructor (for arguments sake) with a depth limit of say 15m in areas where there is a hard bottom not more than say 5m below it. The person would have to keep neutral +/- 1m and remain horizontal (ish) I would see it as somewhere between DSD and OW
Level 1:
Would teach Nitrox from the off, Drysuits Basic Rescue skills and basic DSMB. Although it would be a no deco cert, basic gas planning would be taught. Buoyancy control would be say +/- 0.75m whilst whilst performing skills The diver should also be able to come to a halt and remain in position over an object. Navigation would also be taught MAx depth say 20m but allowed to dive in water deeper than that. They'd also perform Frog and flutter kicks. There would be an allowance for the lite course to contribute to this course if doing the whole course, or by completing modules (practical and theroy) you could move from Lite to Full
Level 2 Would take everything one more level - Buoyancy would be tightened to say +/-0.5m, Skills polished, introduce back kicks, bring in decompression and more gas planning Adv Rescue and EFR - 40m depth better Nav using and carrying Ponies etc DSMB form mid water. You get the idea. Importantly there would be a requirement for a minimum amount of logged dive hours to be completed prior post entry Level. 30?
Level 3 Take Level 2 and refine it further, be able to plan and and lead a dive for a small group Learn Tides, charts, weather site selection and dive briefs. Move into Accelerated Deco tighter buoyancy +/-0.3m More advance rescue - i.e managing the incident and calling in support. Again minimum number of logged dive hours from L2 - 50?
L2 and L3 would require further class room time to extend theory . The idea is to not only focus on and polish skills but to be a more complete diver. a L2 would be able to sit an Assistant instructor course but to become a Guide and or Instructor you would need L3.
Certainly all training and certification would be audited - independent instructors would be welcome, However All Instructors would require a refresher course every 3 years to update them on changes and to ensure they could still do the job. Instructors would need to instruct to remain current, not receive a card for "status" then never practice.
Numbers given above are for example only.
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