What has changed since early 80’s?

[Scubadillo]

I got my C-card in college back in ‘83 via Naui and was thinking about what has changed over the years in what was taught back then versus what is taught these days. I know they added a bit to cover some basics with dive computers (to what extent I am not sure yet as I haven’t looked at a current course book). Anyone have a good run down on course content changes?

 

[scubadada]

Nitrox and computers, newer deco algorithms...solo diving

 

[Bigbella]

What has changed? Greater, more cynical nickel and diming by the agencies, instead of one and you're done; greater dependance upon electronics (what could really go wrong in salt water?); that, and an absurd number of even more absurd specialties, set to potentially impress co-workers of that weekend warrior, around the water cooler.

Basically, an eternal effort to repackage and / or reinvent the wheel, with genuine seventy year old technology . . .

 

[happy-diver]

a diver advancing through certifications, their continued involvement, and a willingness to learn

Must impress.

 

[drl]

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Safe seconds and computers.

 

[pauldw]

Safety stops. Ascent rate half of what it was. Computers instead of dive tables, for longer dives adapted to whatever profile you end up diving. Rec divers evolving into a higher form of life, tec divers, and insisting that wing BCs are the way to go instead of safe and comfortable jacket BCs. Nitrox becoming much more common. Split fins and other fads. More attention to trim and neutral bouyancy. Scubaboard.

 

[Bigbella]

Safety stops. Ascent rate half of what it was. Computers instead of dive tables, for longer dives adapted to whatever profile you end up diving.

We were doing safety stops in the 1970s; don't recall anyone rocketing to the surface; and while computers are, admittedly, a convenience, there is too much dependence placed upon them.

Dove a decade or more, simply, with a regulator, SPG, and a depth gauge, sans octopus; a ridiculous number of dives, before I purchased my first computer or safe second. Still keep tables in a bag.

Kept the Jetfins; passed the split-fin display . . .

 

[pauldw]

don't recall anyone rocketing to the surface

60 fpm instead of 30 fpm then (or, commonly, follow up your smallest bubbles), and safety stops weren't taught and weren't in the PADI manual when I took OW in the early/mid eighties.

 

[Bigbella]

60 fpm instead of 30 fpm then (or, commonly, follow up your smallest bubbles), and safety stops weren't taught and weren't in the PADI manual when I took OW in the early eighties.

I took my first class, through the YMCA; and the instructor -- an old Navy guy -- was fastidious about safety stops and slow ascents; took courses through NAUI at university -- same drill.

Sadly, I never managed to take PADI's garbage collecting specialty; didn't have the skill set . . .