Do You Approve Of Quickie Certifications?

[ScubaCrossing]

First I would like to say hello to everyone, this is my first post to the board. I've been peeping in for a few days now.

About about the two day course, I voted depends on Instructor/Student. I am an Independent PADI MSDT. I conduct Private 1on1 or Private Group (everyone knows one another) My prices are not cheap. 95% of all my students have been or are White Collar Professionals. I voted the way I did because Most of my students have all been to college and have good study habbits and easily grasp concepts. The 2 Day Course means they have to complete the self paced self study method. They may take 1 month to complete the course work prior to meeting at the pool or some take only two weeks, at any rate in my experience the course work is never a problem, it all comes down to the pool skills. Prior to the short course they are told due to the short time frame, if they fail to master the skills in the pool they will not be able to proceed to the Ocean with the group. And a make up fee will be imposed. SO I guess it comes down to the student/Instructor IMHO

Jeff

 

[Kayla]

to the boards! I'm sure you will enjoy it here.. and it looks like you have some great input on things! See ya around!


Kayla

 

[drbill]

of quickies (with the right buddy). Oops you meant quickie certs. I know when I first went to get an OW cert in the late 60's, I had to go through a full two week course plus ocean dive despite having had SCUBA and hard hat diving experience for a number of years.

I think the quality of certified students today includes many who shouldn't be underwater at all, and quite a few who lack some important basic skills (believe me, I ran into a number of them at the Casino today... or should I say they ran into me while I was on a rock videotaping). Higher standards are needed in general.

However, a student who is very comfortable in the water and exhibits mastery of the necessary skills could be certified in less time. The importancve of certification is that they know the skills, not that they slept through class and pool work for the requisite number of hours.

Dr. Bill

 

[ElectricZombie]

No one can properly complete an OW class in 2 days. It is just not possible, I don't care who it is.

Standards are getting lower and lower among all the agencies to accomodate slackers who don't want to put the time in for proper training. As a result, a legion of unskilled divers will likely take to the water and promptly kill themselves. The agencies are also responsible because they encourage this behavior in order to make a quick buck.

Standards need to be raised and the classes need to be harder. "Quickie" classes should not be allowed under any circumstance.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

ElectricZombie once bubbled...
No one can properly complete an OW class in 2 days. It is just not possible, I don't care who it is.

Standards need to be raised and the classes need to be harder. "Quickie" classes should not be allowed under any circumstance.

Perhaps a good thought but it certainly isn't going to happen. The dumbing down effect is what we are seeing now.

 

[Scuba_Vixen]

While there's no boubt that some students are more capable than others, and some instructors are more effective than others, no one has factored in Conditions yet. I live in the caribbean, vis is seldom less than 70 to100 feet, hardly ever any current to be concerned with, water temps are usually low to mid 80's, 20' of water on a pretty reef to do skills and build confidence, ... You can teach a dead cat in a wetsuit to dive here in 2 days! Now think about the class in 40 degree water, struggling with trying to manage skills in a drysuit, 5 to 15 feet of vis, a 3 knot current to contend with, 2 Days!, .. I don't think so! Maybe 2 months in those conditions might be enough.
Like some one already mentioned, OW should be viewed as a learners permit, and, I believe, if not used to gain experience and further education, ought to expire. That's my take on the 2 day wonder certs.

Darlene

 

[Bob3]

You might be able to get a decent level of training providing you have a proficient instructor & the student is likewise very capable, (like a hard core freediver or a person with prior dive experience).
For the average student, it'd be awful tough squeezing that 40 hours of training into 2 daze.

 

[kwesler]

Focusing on PROCESS is hard to nail down...most of the posts here have addressed the correct issue-STANDARDS! Have any length training you want-2 days, 10 days, 3 months, 3 hours-who CARES?!

Do NOT give a card to someone who does not satisfactorily demonstrate the skills necessary to be a safe diver, who can support his/her buddy, and be mindful of the environment in which they dive!

THAT addresses the issue!

My $.02...

Ken

 

[leadweight]

How is the time arranged in a 2 day class? Does the 2 day period include 4 open water dives?

 

[double125's]

A quickie course generally is structured so the first weekend you come in on sat. for 2 hrs video then q/a followed by 2 hrs in the pool. Sun is structured like sat. Next weekend you do your open water dives. I believe SSI has a minimum of 5 dives and there standard is 10 ft for 10 min to be considered a dive.