A different twist on an old question

[teddyg04]

As you can see, the "which agency" question always opens up a real can of worms. Seriously, even though you don't necessarily want to hear that the instructor makes the difference, it's true. My teenagers and I were certified over a year ago; now I'm a (very) junior divemaster for a different shop. With all due gratitude to our instructors, I am seeing how much we didn't get when we were certified. The shop I'm working with is a PADI shop, but no corners are cut, no training dumbed down, and absolutely no safety standards merely skimmed. The shop has very high standards, and wants to turn out good, knowledgeable, safe divers, regardless of their plans. Some will go on to a lifetime of fun, some only want to resort dive once a year. The instructors make sure the resort divers have the same skills as the potential dive professionals. Check out the materials for the different agencies, and (as often suggested) check out the shops in your area. If your desire is to be a well-trained and safe diver, you're halfway there already. You'll get out of your training exactly what you put into it, so if you find a shop with high standards, and instructors with good skills (diving and teaching), you'll do great.

[Louma]

I'll put in my $0.02. The instructor does make the diference. That's why you should look outside the box and also look into finding an independent (non dive shop affiliated) instructor. You may have never thought of the approach and it can yeild very good results.

[leapfrog]

I'm not affiliated with a dive shop!!!!

[kjvander]

Being new to the sport i put it in a different light. yes the instructor does matter and what he teaches...but I also believe that it is up to the student for his/her learning as well. i am getting certified through SDI due to a reference from one of my buddies from college. his buddy owns a dive shop and gave me a good deal on classes....it was worth it for me to pay 170 bucks to get certified than 400 near home for another course. however despite the online classes and not teaching tables, while reading through here on scuba board, other places online, and in books and magazines...i ask questions. I like to sink my teeth into any subject i get my hands on. My library now has nothing left on scuba diving that i haven't read and i now resort to the internet to buy books or forums like these to listen to more experienced divers. I see it as something that if you want to get the most out of it and enjoy the sport then you need to do your homework and research yourself. I never take any class without the precurser that i am going to have to do work on my end as well. i won't say that i expect every instructor/class to go indepth as to bore the students to death and beat the proverbial horse to death...however they do need to teach those topics that do matter and that which is going to keep the student safe and make the experience enjoyable. If they teach computers, dive tables, magic 8 ball....or some other method....that is all fine and dandy...as long as it is safe and it keeps the student informed. I know in my class the instructor did bring up tables as a back up to the computer for recreational diving....

now I know that I am a noob to the sport and the enjoyment that is breathing some compressed air and getting wet...so I know that I still have a lot to learn and will continue learning from the time that I get my first certification....till my last dive...if i don't learn something or feel that i will learn no more....then i'll just quit...but i don't see that happening.

Just my 2 psi....and I didn't go back and proof this so if i misspoke on anything or misspelled anything I appologize.

[leapfrog]

'All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education". - Sir Walter Scott

[Stu S.]

Originally Posted by Louma

I'll put in my $0.02. The instructor does make the diference. That's why you should look outside the box and also look into finding an independent (non dive shop affiliated) instructor. You may have never thought of the approach and it can yeild very good results.

Yes. By choosing an independent instructor, my daughter got trained by a man who makes his living teaching diving, and is highly regarded. Me and the kid were then able to take our time and select some nice gear from a variety of sources.

The PADI CD online training was a plus. A student can work at their own pace and their own schedule. And... there are some excellent in-water instructors that are not so comfortable in a classroom. The CD provides a constant-quality product in that regard.

[--tom--]

Just to provide answers to the OP, perhaps some agencies that he/she may not have heard of.

The highest scuba standards I have heard of is through LA County.

The second choice is to cert through one of the colleges/universities that subscribe to AAUS standards. AAUS is slanted toward research and science diving. It does have a remarkable safety record.

As a note, neither of these programs are for the faint of heart nor the instant gratification crowd.

Good diving.

[WKD]

Originally Posted by visibilityunlimited

PADI regarding the dive table, PADI was the first to change the dive tables and to add the Wheel for multi level calculations (takes an hour to learn and 15 minutes to forget how to do it)

FYI, PADI has binned the Wheel and the RDP is on the way out (from January I hear) they are now using the eRDP to replace both. eRDP's will be supplied with OW Crew Packs.

Not sure if this would have any impact on choosing an agency but the info's there if you want it.

[SDiggy]

Originally Posted by WKD

FYI, PADI has binned the Wheel and the RDP is on the way out (from January I hear) they are now using the eRDP to replace both. eRDP's will be supplied with OW Crew Packs.

Not sure if this would have any impact on choosing an agency but the info's there if you want it.

Is it the standard eRDP, or the new eRDP ML (multi-level)?

I'm really notsure that going away from the tables completely is a good idea. The eRDP's may be splash-proof, but it's not something that you can take down with you on a dive.

[leapfrog]

I find it difficult to believe that the standard RDP is going to be binned. I can see the interest in ADDING the eRDP ML for predive planning purposes. If the RDP was to be eliminated completely I think it would be a huge mistake on behalf of the Big Red One.