Zero to hero - top schools?

[Walter]

Starting with Walter's first post I have been cringing at how rudely the OP has been treated by some of the supposed authorities of SB.

In what way was I rude?

 

[GeorgeC]

I think that the OP received pretty good advice, even though if doesn't agree with what you might have told him.

As for me, I had not intended to join this thread. I refrained from any posts until after the OP had said thanks and I only joined in as a result of a vendor starting to flog his wares, something that I felt needed to be dealt with.

Why are you now fanning the embers of a thread that is basically over and done with? Bored and out for an afternoon troll?

As a board guide, holding yourself at a higher standard than the rest of the SB community, I think you should refrain from your harsh remarks. I don’t know if it is your intention to be rude, sarcastic or just having some tongue and cheek fun. IMOH it comes across rude. If you think the thread is over, stop posting. Why flame someone else for posting?

 

[Thalassamania]

George,

Please, what was rude, sarcastic or T&C? What was flame?

"I think that the OP received pretty good advice, even though if doesn't agree with what you might have told him." - not this surely.

"As for me, I had not intended to join this thread. I refrained from any posts until after the OP had said thanks and I only joined in as a result of a vendor starting to flog his wares, something that I felt needed to be dealt with." - not this surely.

"Why are you now fanning the embers of a thread that is basically over and done with? Bored and out for an afternoon troll?" - Maybe this? It's a rather simple question, not rude, sarcastic, T&C or on fire at the moment.

 

[GeorgeC]

George,

Please, what was rude, sarcastic or T&C? What was flame?.....
"Why are you now fanning the embers of a thread that is basically over and done with? Bored and out for an afternoon troll?" - Maybe this? It's a rather simple question, not rude, sarcastic, T&C or on fire at the moment.

I thought this statement was a little off color, in my opinion. It is a loaded rhetorical question with no way to answer but with a negative comment. I agree the OP did have good info from all sides.

 

[GeorgeC]

On topic. I do disagree painting every dive school that offers a Zero to Hero schedule as a bad school. There are divers who have a number of dives under their belts, certified for several years and go into the ZtoH programs as DM’s only taking the IDC phase. On the flip side you have the snorkeler who starts and becomes an instructor. I believe you have to look at an instructors resume and decide if you want to hire that individual.

Don’t fault a school that has a scheduled program put together and offers courses consecutively from beginner to IDC. Would the student be better if they took the OW waited X weeks then do AOW wait X weeks then do Rescue etc. What is a fair value of X. Would a school have to wait 3 weeks between courses, 5 weeks 16 weeks? What is the magic number for this school to be credible?

The IDC want to be candidate has to realize their limitations and make an educated decision. I am mature enough to go from Zero to Hero graduating and mentoring with a shop that teaches or do I need several months between programs to gain a better understanding of how to teach.

 

[scubaskipper]

I was unimpressed with the ones in my IDC that were going this route. Go through the master diver program with an instructor that cares about turning out a competent diver. Practice, practice, practice 100-200 dive in, take the DM internship at a reputable shop. Sit in on as many classes as you can with a good instructor and get in some sea time. You'll see all the weak points and make better divers through your real world experiences. Don't get in debt. If you want to live the life, less is more. Good luck and be safe.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

In what way was I rude?

Most of the bashing of members by members is, IMHO, due to a lack of typing eloquence and grammatical correctness. Some members seem to take the opinion that everything they type is an opinion so they NEVER type IMHO. Unfortunately, they then come off as an absolute authoritarian, and how many of us will put up with that (even in real life).

Gee, I wonder who I was thinking of when I posted that?

A top school wouldn't have a zero to hero program.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

I only joined in as a result of a vendor starting to flog his wares, something that I felt needed to be dealt with.

And you have posted well over 10 times since he was dealt with, especially counting the thread cleaning posts.

Why are you now fanning the embers of a thread that is basically over and done with? Bored and out for an afternoon troll?

Let's see, perhaps because of your last Christmas day post that was so Grinchie. Wasn't that was only yesterday? Basically over and done with? My first post today was only 2 hours after your previous post today. Basically over and done with? Because you thought you had the last word?

There are so many things you post that are flat out wrong but I will just pick one from that Grinchie post! This part is just plain ridiculously wrong!

I suspect that on average each of my students has bought more gear than those of any other instructor that you have ever met (we require a full set of owned gear for class).

How many IDC's have you ever heard of that did not require a full set of owned gear for the class? Ocean Divers required a full set of gear for each candidate when I went there, starting with AOW; can't imagine that's changed. I showed up with said full kit and it's no longer even mentioned in my profile. I'm not even going to try and list all the spare and retired gear in between the first kit and the current kits, nor any of my Nikonus/Ikelite/Inon gear (does Olympus count?). How much gear does your average student purchase? My next purchase will be 3 Apollo Scooters. I bet Ed knows plenty of Instructor Factory graduates with similar gear history to me. How much gear does your average student purchase again?

Oceanic EOS/FDX10, swivel 180 alternate, QD inflator hose, 3-gauge analog console
Oceanic Delta 4/CDX5, swivel 180 alternate, QD inflator hose, 3-gauge analog console
Sea Quest Balance (Blue!) with JUST trim weight pockets
Sea Quest Spectrum 2 ADV (Blue!) w/ right kidney dump
Suunto Viper nitrox computer (hose mount)
Cressi Big Eye mask (black skirt - Blue shark neoprene/velcro strap)
Cressi Gara 2000 (Blue blade!)
Mares Avanti x3 open heel (Blue!)
Pinnacle Merino-Elastiprene 5 mm (going to dye the gray panels Blue!)
Aqua Lung 5 mm Aqua Flex (Blue panels!)
Nocturnal Lights hand mount SLX 800t
Two Asahi 120 cft's

@ Thalassamania: Your replies are hilarious.

 

[Walter]

Gee, I wonder who I was thinking of when I posted that?

Instead of quoting totally unrelated material, it would be nice to simply answer the question. If you aren't going to answer, there's absolutely no need to quote the question.

 

[JamesDixon]

Six months of every day diving and training 180 days is alot of experience for some agencies. I beleave this is sufficient for the rite person. Remember not all these candidates pass the IE. On the other hand I have seen instructors with 20 years of experience that had a hard time relating to the students causing them to panic. I have seen instructors that have experience but do not keep the training standards. I have also met Instructors that have killed divers and are stiill teaching. After many years of experience I know that it is not the agency or time served but It is the person we need to look at. Look at the individual. Want to be an instructor? Find a good full time shop. Dive every day and Go for it. Water will seek it's own level