I've been thinking recently about all the different certification cards to cover every conceivable subject in the world. And, I'm not sure if I was extremely lucky, or if things have really changed that much in the diving world. So, I'll ask this question. But first, for it to be fair (at least in my mind), I'd request that anyone who makes money by teaching what I perceive to be some mickey mouse certifications to remain silent or make us aware that you are an educator in the field that you are defending.
So, not that I'm picking on every card, but recently I was told there was a class for drysuits, a class for solo diving, a class for deep diving (to 130'). There's a certification for Equipment Specialist, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and a host of other courses equally as funny to me.
Now, as I stated above, maybe I was just really lucky, but Peak Performance Buoyancy? Perhaps instead of spending cash on that class, you should spend the money on diving. And wasn't that taught in OW or AOW. Deep Diver? I've read the course material for PADI and um.... Everything in that course is exactly what I was taught in AOW. Has AOW been watered down in the last 15 years? I have the book from 15 years ago, 130' was the recreational limit. Is it not now? Now you have to pay to learn to go to 130'? What could they possibly be teaching you that wasn't covered in AOW.
I've read about the course for Solo Diver, and I'll admit there is some good information there. But now there's a class for Deco? In fact recently a dive shop owner asked me if I had a certification that covered deco. I laughed, I thought he was joking. I thought this was covered in my IANTD EAN class. At least it was in 1996. That was one of the selling features in the class.
I get it that things change, and perhaps my personal perspective is skewed by the crazy diving career I've had. But I feel like PADI is really living up to it's acronym: Put Another Dollar In.
So please, chime in, there are alot of you I respect, young and old.
So, not that I'm picking on every card, but recently I was told there was a class for drysuits, a class for solo diving, a class for deep diving (to 130'). There's a certification for Equipment Specialist, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and a host of other courses equally as funny to me.
Now, as I stated above, maybe I was just really lucky, but Peak Performance Buoyancy? Perhaps instead of spending cash on that class, you should spend the money on diving. And wasn't that taught in OW or AOW. Deep Diver? I've read the course material for PADI and um.... Everything in that course is exactly what I was taught in AOW. Has AOW been watered down in the last 15 years? I have the book from 15 years ago, 130' was the recreational limit. Is it not now? Now you have to pay to learn to go to 130'? What could they possibly be teaching you that wasn't covered in AOW.
I've read about the course for Solo Diver, and I'll admit there is some good information there. But now there's a class for Deco? In fact recently a dive shop owner asked me if I had a certification that covered deco. I laughed, I thought he was joking. I thought this was covered in my IANTD EAN class. At least it was in 1996. That was one of the selling features in the class.
I get it that things change, and perhaps my personal perspective is skewed by the crazy diving career I've had. But I feel like PADI is really living up to it's acronym: Put Another Dollar In.
So please, chime in, there are alot of you I respect, young and old.