PADI in Cuba

[armyscuba]

I agree, and it undermines everything that We stand for down here. That really burns Me when I read such nonsense. I'm on a Hardship Tour down here away from My wife and family for a Year making sacrifices for My way of life. Then I have to read posts about how We are teaching the Al-Quaeada to scuba. It's utter Bull****. Moderators...feel free to pull this Thread off SB. AS Kim said...Politics and SCUBA have no relationship...

 

[Patty]

Sorry to be explicit, but I think several of you have misinterpreted the original poster. He did not say:

The US Army is teaching scuba to Al-Quaeda ops in Cuba,

but that:

PADI instructors are permitted to teach scuba to Al-Quaeda ops in Cuba.

Perhaps his point was that it's illegal to instruct (presumably relatively harmless) Cubans, but quite legal to instruct (presumably terrorist) Afghanis. Implicitly he seems to be suggesting that there might be an anomaly in the PADI policy here.

 

[armyscuba]

Sorry to be explicit, but I think several of you have misinterpreted the original poster. He did not say:

The US Army is teaching scuba to Al-Quaeda ops in Cuba,

but that:

PADI instructors are permitted to teach scuba to Al-Quaeda ops in Cuba.

Perhaps his point was that it's illegal to instruct (presumably relatively harmless) Cubans, but quite legal to instruct (presumably terrorist) Afghanis. Implicitly he seems to be suggesting that there might be an anomaly in the PADI policy here.

SPELLING IT OUT..I disagree...Post # 5 clearly states otherwise..regardless of what the original post was..but thanks for Your input..

 

[Kim]

Reading all the posts it seems clear that:
1. US companies may not do business in Cuba (PADI is such a US company)
2. US citizens may not work or do business in Cuba (obviously excepting the little bit where the military is!)
3. Training dives may be conducted by foreigners - with foreigners (excepting US citizens) as long as any certification is home country based. However - you may not set up a PADI dive shop there and get customers from the island itself. Presumably there's nothing against setting up a CMAS shop for instance.

Given the above I don't understand what the references to Al Quaeda are about. Now I don't completely agree with all US policy - but that's my business which I generally keep to myself - it's a free world right? I come from a UK military family and I KNOW that my Dad didn't always agree with the politics behind the orders he was sometimes given - but he carried out his orders anyway - in the Army that's what you do. To suggest that Guantanemo bay prisoners are allowed to receive scuba training (ridiculous in itself - do we think that they are getting 'time off for good behaviour' to go down to the beach!!!?) definitely seems to me like a political dig that has nothing to do with scuba! I also don't like what the US administration is doing in Guantanemo bay - but I presume that the US forces are simply doing their job - whatever they may personally feel about it.
One of the things I like about scuba is that underwater everyone is basically equal. The same rules apply to everyone (within certain limits - like physiology for instance) Fish don't vote - so lets leave the s**t at the surface where it belongs.

 

[Mako Mark]

My apologies to both scuba board members that took exception to my post #5.

I was pointing out the inconsistancy of the US embargo, and how it effects (non US) PADI instructors. I have been strictly told by PADI that I CANNOT teach anywhere in Cuba, Except on US military bases.

I find this absurd and that absurdity was what I was trying to convey in my post, however I should have been more explicit, and perhaps more diplomatic or sensitive.

However I still dont think US foriegn policy should dictate to me as a non US citizen working outside the US or its territories, where I can and cannot work, or who I can or cannot teach. Embargos didnt work in Lybia, Vietnam or South Africa, they just hurt the common people, and I believe this is also the case in Cuba.

Diving is one of the unique activities in the world that unites people from all walks of life, socioeconomic standing, religion and political views in a peaceful activity that is beneficial to world unity and the good of the planet.

Politics should be kept out of diving. In Cuba, this is not happening, politics is involved. I think that is a shame, we should all be ashamed.

 

[armyscuba]

To suggest that Guantanamo bay prisoners are allowed to receive scuba training (ridiculous in itself - do we think that they are getting 'time off for good behaviour' to go down to the beach!!!?) definitely seems to me like a political dig that has nothing to do with scuba!

Thanks Kim..and Cancun Mark..apology Accepted

 

[armyscuba]

For the Record ...PADI is teaching here in GTMO..and doing quite well.

 

[H2Andy]

well, other than Communist party big-wigs, very very very few Cubans would be
able to afford scuba training on their average $20.00 per month salary (yes, twenty
dollars per month).

just a thought

 

[archman]

As has been stated on other threads, the reason Cuba has such pristine reefs is directly linked to U.S. sanctions and travel restrictions. This unintended consequence is a boon for the biological habitat.

Divers wish to dive Cuba primarily 'cuz it's phenomenol; the reason it's phenomenol is 'cuz tourism is tightly restricted.

From a sustainable management perspective, Cuba has a potentially frightening future ahead of it. Forecasts predict that if the regime topples, the equivalent of a "dam bursting" would take place in the international tourism sector. The ecological side effects of THAT are well known, ugh.

 

[Lawman]

Would Cuba allow old money grubbing, "put another dollar in"
PADI to operate in the Workers Paradise? Would it allow PADI
a Running Dog of Wall Street, a Tool in the Hands of the Capitalist Warmongers to sully Sacred Cuban soil? Could Cubans allow the Iron Boot of PADI to rest on the Workers Necks?? I think Not!!!

Unite Divers! Throw off the shackels of PADI!! To the barricades!! And keep politics out of it!