PADI vs SDI

[BarryNL]

In about another 50 years, all the other training agencies will eventually see things this way as well. Then they will forget who was the first to do it this way. By then, diving with a computer will simply be defined as doing it right, and any other way will be called doing it wrong.

Cool, so in 50 years we will have electronics which cannot possibly go wrong or be broken underwater, and work from a power source which cannot fail. Yep, when that happens I think even us DIR guys will be happy to rely on computers.

 

[billeelou]

ok, now that we have settled that.....Ohio state V. Michigan.... Florida V. Georgia....DukeV. UNC
.....Cal V. Stanford.......UCLA vUSC.....Harvard v. Yale.....Dems v. Reps....Bedlam

which is better?

 

[Anti-Hero]

O.k., I just had to chime in here. My PADI OW course taught 30fpm ascent rate, not 60. Not sure if the curriculum changed, or if it was just my instructor. I also learned the tables IN DEPTH, as well as the Nitrox tables again, IN DEPTH, and all the associated formulas for calculating bottom times using gas mixtures outside of the the standard Nitrox tables. (EANx28-40 respectively)

Not having any other agency training to compare too, I thought it was very thorough.

 

[stimpy4242]

WIthout having the manual in front of me right now, they teach below like 60 or 100 feet you should do 60 fpm and then above it 30 fpm something like that...

 

[offthewall1]

50 years ago they also said all cars will eventually have automatic transmisions because its much easier. We can all see how that statement worked out.

Sure they still make manual transmissions... they're for the cheap guy's who can't afford or don't want the automatics because they like the feel of shifting in rush hour traffic.

Cars are kind of like Dive computers... Air only computers are like manual transmissions... they're for the guys who can't afford or don't want to pay for Nitrox.

Then there are dive tables and analog gauges. I'd liken dive tables and analog gauges more to horse and buggy... you don't see many anymore but you sure have to admire them and appreciate their historic value...

Cheers to Analog Guages and Dive Tables... Thanks for the memories

 

[backyard diver]

Well I am new to the Scuba Board, and you guys have alot of very interesting descussions. I am a PADI Instructor and so I am a little bias. I don't know alot about other agencies, although I did recieve my initial certification in Hawaii in one of the resort classes. Getting your certification is like getting your drivers license, you hope you learn from your mistakes without hurting yourself. I teach my students to be safe and comfortable with diving within 60 feet. I have never not qualified someone, but I have given some extra time until they were more comfortable and safer. I also like the way that DIR teaches, but that is by far a much harder stricter course. I try to mix what I learned with them with my teaching my students. I believe if it is just as easy to do what I think is a safer way then why not teach it that way.

 

[backyard diver]

If you are a DIR wannabee, what is stopping you from being DIR, more people are diving that way, although it might not be perfect at least I know how there gear is going to be and it appears from those that I have seen they have been less likely to run into the ocean reef.

 

[String]

O.k., I just had to chime in here. My PADI OW course taught 30fpm ascent rate, not 60.

Nothing has changed. The tables still specify a MAXIMUM ascent rate of 18m per min / 60ft per min.

However the slower the better generally so almost everyone will teach a much slower ascent rate with the caveat that if it all goes horribly wrong you CAN do 18m/60ft per min if needed.

 

[sweatfrog]

Cars are kind of like Dive computers... Air only computers are like manual transmissions... they're for the guys who can't afford or don't want to pay for Nitrox.

You know the first question of the uninformed is about the price of the class. When an instructor doesn't teach the tables, the price of the class seems to decrease. That instructor figures they are spending less time teaching, so everyone benefits.

Just one of the downsides is the fact that some of the people in the class are too cheap to rent or buy the proper gear when they get out of the class. They'll get gauges and they won't have a clue how to use them properly. Spending money on computers is a wasted expense in their mind. The instructor/agency should be ashamed of the problem they just created.

If you want, you can call all of your local LDS's and see if they use gauges on their rental equipment, or is there an additional charge for computers. If you strictly dive in the Carribean, that's where you should check.

The reasons for teaching the tables are soundly endorsed. Teaching people how to use a computer is fine, but the student needs to realize that the tables are for a lot more important than just for historical purposes.

The student quickly realizes that there are many different computers out there and they don't all work the same way. Renting a computer every time will frustrate a diver, when that person can't figure out the different nuances. So, they quickly learn that purchasing their own computer is their only option. Now that cheap in class just became a moot point, because they can't dive safely without that crutch. albeit a useful crutch. If you are trained properly, you can still dive safely without a computer.

 

[String]

And manual transmission is far less frustrating than automatic in that you can change gear as and when you want into whatever gear you want far easier, you can use the engine to brake and do other things that automatics can help and you can change gear in preparation for something ahead which automatics dont like. Oh and its faster as you can hold the revs high if you know you need it in a few seconds and more fuel efficient.

Nothing to do with diving but i HATE automatic cars. I spend the entire time swearing at the damn things and arguing with them. Unfortunately whereas the vast majority of the world uses a proper gearbox ive been unable to rent a non automatic in the usa at all.

OK...Now back to the topic