Which specialties are worth the money?

[Supershark]

I am new to scubaboard, but I have had this question asked of me time and time again. I have worked at both IDC and CDC centers with customers wanting to do something "new". There seems to be a general thought on this thread that this is just a way for dive shop/agencies to make money, and you can do all the specs without getting the card. As a dive professional working in the industry I should say they are all value for money, however as an experienced and I stress the word experienced, I have done various diving activities without academic teaching. This said, I would not strap a re-breather on and jump in, I would not like to do a difficult wreck penetration dive with a buddy who has never used a reel before. I recently had a customer with over 150 dives who freaked out because of diving in current, would the drift spec have helped?
People get out of diving what they put into it. Diving is a serious sport an every person is different. The value of the con-ed courses are there to benefit ALL divers. For any experienced divers questioning this I recommend the IAHD course. You will benefit from what you learn.
Dive safe and have fun.

Supershark

P.S. The most valuable course is Open Water

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I don't understand why UW nav is not more popular. Don't people want to know where they are going and how to get back! If taught properly instead of just here go out and back or do a square it encompasses many different skills such as buoyancy control, builds buddy/team skills, goes along way to increasing confidence and comfort, and it is cool as hell when you take a group on a 1/2 hour dive in different directions and over different objects and bring them back to with a few yards or less of the start point. First person I dove with who was really good at it impressed the crap out of me. I've since tried on just about every dive to hone this skill. Fortunately I was taught the right way to go about it. That has made a big difference. I see some instructors who would have real difficulty finding their way about on some sights. It's why in writing the new UW Nav specialty for YDI I'm focusing on more than just some basic nav exercises for certification and for instructors as well.