What is so special about Nova Scotia that you require all your students to do chamber rides?
Peter, I don't teach to the 'minimum Standards' (this is a term you may not be familiar with as PADI doesn't have this). Basically, 'minimum Standards' are the minimum course content that a Student must meet to be certified in 'ideal conditions.' If local conditions require additional training, the Instructor is
required to add any training that will ensure Diver safety. The 'added material' becomes a
requirement for certification. The certification Agency
encourages the Instructor to teach past the 'minimums,' even if the conditions are ideal.
I add a chamber ride to the course, as it clearly outlines the hazards of depth. Nitrogen Narcosis is a real threat and I've found that new Divers have a respect for depth that they might otherwise not have. They also can better understand how AGE and DCS are treated. It enhances the training and the students are thankful for the experience.
You cry that your students need to be "comfortable in the water" and have some swim test (whatever it is) but why isn't it necessary for a WWW to be comfortable in the water and pass a swim test (whatever it is)? And so on.
Many studies have been undertaken that show that there is a direct association between a person's fitness, swimming ability, level of in-water confidence and panic. Some of these studies have been diving focused (as I've previously posted in other threads) and others pertain to other activities. Putting a weak or non-swimmer into a more challenging environment isn't something that I'd recommend; as I believe it's not in the best interests of the Student.
You cry that your students needs to understand cold, current and tides because you have big tidal shifts and bad currents. Well, ALL students need to understand the environment in which they are trained.
Yes. A Student that's learning to dive here must possess the knowledge and skill-sets to dive safely. Similarly, a Student who learns to dive in Bonaire needs to possess the knowledge and skill-sets to dive there safely. What each of these divers require however, is not the same. The two courses are different in course content and as such, the Standards of certification should be different.
In other words, what a person needs to learn to drive a racing car on a track is different from another who drives a tractor trailer on a highway. Both are 'Drivers,' but what they need to know is different. The training courses require different standards that will provide for a reasonable degree of safety in both environments. "One Standard" for both environments is insufficient.
Anyway, DCBC, we do know you are convinced that there can not be "standards" for the training of a basic open water diver which apply everywhere. Many of us disagree. The end.
It's not a matter of convincing you. Given your background, your position is what I expected it to be. I do feel however, that it is often beneficial to discuss different points of view. There have been a few posts by others that this discussion has been interesting (although I'm sure that it has been frustrating to others). When any Group's values are questioned, frustration is often the result.
---------- Post added January 29th, 2013 at 08:27 AM ----------
Pass on minimum standards insures tht the GI JOES of the instructor community do not redesign the course and sell it under the agencies name.
That is the position of one certification Agency. Other Agencies insist that their Instructors have a
duty to their students (to prepare them for the local diving environment) and in-fact the Instructor is
negligent if additional training is not provided (above the minimums) to provide the new diver with the knowledge and ability to ensure a required '
reasonable degree of safety.'
I doubt that anyone could argue that n hte north atlantic, the couse content is not only going to be different,,, the leignth of the course will also be different along with the course costs ect.
If you change the course content, is it not reasonable to change the 'Standard' of what is required for certification? Some are suggesting that what's required for safe diving is universal and one Standard covers every diving environment. I obviously disagree.
...If you want to get out of the basic open water ENVIRONMENT then take the advanced open water training to go into the more unforgiving open water environments such as the ocean with currents and walls ect. Too many are trying to make students have skills beyond thier certification title. Its fine to add to a course more complex aspects but that is desert and not the main meal that was paid for or guarenteed to be served.
For some, the local diving environment IS the Ocean (for my students: the North Atlantic). The 'Certification' that's issued suggests that they are qualified to dive in conditions equal to or better than those in-which their training took place. Like you've suggested, an Ocean environment may require more comprehensive training and as such, what must be achieved is not the same as another area. That is why many certification Agencies recognize this and establish 'minimum Standards,' but recognize the course content will need to change to suit the environment.
