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Colin "Colsom" Stuart, 2009: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-divers-those-considering-diving/161696-training-thailand-pattaya.html#post2326041

No, they were not. IDCs were not being taught to standard. Critical units, such as the DSD workshop, were never taught. PADI concluded that this failure to adhere to standards and required curriculum was part of its justification for Smith's expulsion.

Our friend has a fair point, with the above snippet. I did share in the "ill-gotten gains." While there is a long history on several continents of "whistleblower" lawsuits and claims I could refer you to, let me simply post below what I wrote to PADI in my original complaint. Finally, I must...

Spalpeen -- or should we call you by its definition: "troublemaker"? -- the 100% pass rate was a sham. From the PADI complaint: Offering an online “guarantee” that Aquanauts will pay for a second Instructor Exam should students fail the first one, then forcing all underperforming students...

Steven, It must be noted, with emphasis, that Gary was not mentioned in our post above for a very good reason: His expulsion, many believe, was a result of being swept up in the mess created by the Course Director. Tytler had no authority or control over any of Aquanauts' finances, was not...

The unethical practice have been going on since the internship's inception in April 2004. Over the years, Aquanauts fended off indiviual complaints about a half-dozen times. Each time, PADI gave the shop a warning. In 2010, that warning came with a directive for a change to specify the amount of...

Hello Scubaboarders: This is notice that Aquanauts Dive Centre in Pattaya, Thailand and its Course Director Roger M. Smith has been expelled from PADI. Aquanauts was a PADI 5-Star Career Development Center and National Geographic Dive Center #6246. Smith’s instructor number was 48243...

Hello IrishRebel -- Thanks for your question and congratulations on considering "going pro." As you've discovered there are a number of centers out there advertising "internships," but in fact there are really only a handful of centers worldwide offering a completely all-inclusive, immersive...

Hey Oz, There's no need to "Go Pro" to get a dive package such as the internships mentioned here. We offer both the non-professional Master Scuba Diver TRAINEESHIP and various technical diving TRAINEESHIPS as well. Contrary to the assumpitons stated above, you do not "work" for us or anything...

Sorry LK, that bar has been closed for some time. But the ladyboys left a note here for you asking you to come back to them soon :)

Hello Globaltrailblazer (and thank you Poggus), Lord Khram has a long and repetitious history here on SB trashing all things Pattaya and its dive operators. Do not weigh the value or veracity of his comments, however, based on the amount of times he makes such remarks. Consider it the opinion...

The best way is to simply come here, meet us, talk to our customers and decide for yourself. Same with other centers. If you simply want to start with the Rescue course, it's not a huge undertaking. 4 days (if you also need to do EFR). Come diving with us for a day, see how things work then...

With respect Gaz, the quality of diving should not be the primary concern when choosing a professional training course. Want to see lots of fish and pretty corals, go on holiday. Want to become a divemaster or instructor, go where you're going to get the best quality training. Pattaya, while...

DD -- I'm pretty sure "secluded tropical" wasn't what he was referring to, but point taken. Although if you go to the far-out Jomtien or Naklua resorts, it's very quiet. Tom did some of the training for Roger so, yes, a good guy.

There's an important distinction that I and others haven't mentioned regarding cavern vs. cave. The Cavern Diver course requires only an Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent certification, is done within recreational diving limits and with recreational gear (single-tanks). The Intro to Cave...

Peter is correct. The PADI Cavern Diver certification is all but worthless if you wish to continue on to full cave diving. Roger Smith at Aquanauts is a compatriot of Bruce K's and not only teaches the ANDI courses, but TDI courses up to full cave as well. He has, in fact, was the one who got...

Devon -- Thanks for the mention. A lovely surprise there. MIBZ -- I agree. Basing a decision on the price alone is just, well, dumb. This is career-level training. Be it computers, law or any other profession, the idea is to get the best training to make you the best professional you can be...

Our recap story on the Pattaya Dive Festival and slideshow of 46+ photos is now online: Pattaya Dive Festival 2010 Report & Photos | Aquanauts Dive Centre Pattaya Thailand PADI 5-Star CDC Career Development Center Scuba Diving

Well, I think if you asked the hundreds of people who attended the huge steak & seafood buffet and free beer/soft drinks + prizes and entertainment after their full day of diving (complete with breakfast, lunch & t-shirt) if they think they got a good value, all would tell you it was a steal for...

Chris -- You're on a 7-month internship and they had you do Rescue after only about a month? At Aquanauts, we take things much more slowly -- you'll not be put into Rescue Diver training until your third month -- so that you build up enough experience and have fully mastered your Open Water...