Walter:
Actually, standards differ a great deal from one agency to another.
I didn't say that standards weren't different, I said that the MATERIAL wasn't that different. Here's my post:
[QUOTE-tndiveinstruct1]
If the agencies' material was that different, then there wouldn't be, IMHO, the ability for instructors from one agency to be able to crossover and become an instructor for another agency so easily. Of course, some remediation might be necessary
[/QUOTE]
Standards are guidelines that each business comes up with to define who and what they stand for. That is what the remediation would be for. But the skills that NAUI teaches are not that different from the skills that PADI teaches. And if the were, then those individual skills would be taught in the remediation as well. We both teach mask removal and replace, we both teach scuba unit remove and replace, as well as other similar skills. Nonetheless, you cannot disagree that an instructor from PADI or NAUI cannot easily attend a "crossover" course to become an instructor for NAUI or PADI, and not have to repeat the entire OW to Instructor path at each agency. And wedivebc has stated that he is an instructor for both agencies mentioned above.
In your world Walter I guess you would have required wedivebc or anyone to repeat the entire NAUI course path before becoming a NAUI instructor. Did YOU repeat all the courses for the agencies that you teach for?
NAUI is a fine agency. I took my first OW course thru NAUI many years ago. PADI is a fine agency. I have taken my other courses, as well as repeated OW thru PADI. But does the student learn EVERYTHING in the course? No. The new diver will continue to learn thru experience. They will expand their knowledge thru experience and places such as this. Other businesses have learned over the years that colleges and trade schools don't teach everything that a recent graduate needs to work. The colleges and trade schools have figured it out as well. So what you are seeing now is internships. Schools send students out into the real world for a period of time where they gain EXPERIENCE. The student comes back with a fresh perspective on how things work, and perhaps if enough students come back with similar experiences, then the curriculum changes to reflect the real world. Same with businesses. The work model changes with new ideas. Businesses are trying to figure out how to keep the knowledge that retiring employees have to transfer it to the new employees coming in. And it all boils down to EXPERIENCE.
A certain magazine says it best. Good Divers are ALWAYS learning. I would like to enhance it a bit by saying Good Agencies, Shops and Instructors are ALWAYS learning. And it doesn't matter HOW or WHEN or WHY or WHAT AGENCY. We are ALWAYS learning.
Sorry to be so long winded in the AM, but I felt the need to expand on the post. And now back to the original question.
dolphinluv1979:
I have been certified as an open water and advanced open water diver through PADI. Recently the dive shop i belong to has been slacking in service. I found a really nice one closer to me but they are NAUI. What is the difference? Is one better than the other? Can you get certified both ways but still continue to advance? Thanks....
Here is what I would do. Go to the shop that you feel will do you the best in your diving path. But I would also tell the old shop the reason behind your going to the new shop. It is then up to them to take the KNOWLEDGE you have given them and apply it, or simply to disregard it and run the risk of not learning from your situation.
I hope that this helps everyone...
Randy Cain