Potapko
Contributor
I took this quote from another running thread because it struck me the wrong way.
"Again, as TS&M said... not many potential divers, shopping for their entry-level courses, appreciate the difference between high and low quality tuition. Pricing is critical in this respect... and that is the enemy of independents and the small local dive centre."
Then it was stated that a new diver could either be trained by a quality instructor or become a "Mcdiver" with an agency.
I am really interested in the reasoning behind this. Some will flame me... well flame on!
My point is that I was trained in a foreign country in a foreign language. Oh, I had the manual in English but the instructor spoke no English at all. I read the book, picked up what I could in the classroom from my 9 months of Czech language study, then we jumped in the water and I followed the instructions of the instructor by watching what he did. He is an average instructor but a very good diver.
However I never expected him to do much more than to introduce me to the sport, show me how to set-up and use the equipment, and how not to kill myself. I am saying that in my opinion, open water training is an introduction to the sport that enabled me to go diving and begin the learning process. It is really no more than one step beyond "discover scuba".
Now, 8 years later I have learned a few more things, but only because I had the interest and desire to further my training and experience. Without that desire I would be no more than someone who took a course once but never dives.
You can't give it all to them at one time.
Then it was stated that a new diver could either be trained by a quality instructor or become a "Mcdiver" with an agency.
I am really interested in the reasoning behind this. Some will flame me... well flame on!
My point is that I was trained in a foreign country in a foreign language. Oh, I had the manual in English but the instructor spoke no English at all. I read the book, picked up what I could in the classroom from my 9 months of Czech language study, then we jumped in the water and I followed the instructions of the instructor by watching what he did. He is an average instructor but a very good diver.
However I never expected him to do much more than to introduce me to the sport, show me how to set-up and use the equipment, and how not to kill myself. I am saying that in my opinion, open water training is an introduction to the sport that enabled me to go diving and begin the learning process. It is really no more than one step beyond "discover scuba".
Now, 8 years later I have learned a few more things, but only because I had the interest and desire to further my training and experience. Without that desire I would be no more than someone who took a course once but never dives.
You can't give it all to them at one time.