For those who don't realize it, PADI was just sold. To a Chinese investment company. For 700 million dollars.
I have no problem with a student borrowing a book. And copying the pages. And I'll sleep just fine tonight.
PADI SOLD FOR $700m - DIVE Magazine
That Chinese company thing was an early (misinformed) rumor. I don't have the time to spend time Googling for the updated truth, or searching for the SB thread(s) that do clarify, but I believe the investment company owners are Floridians. Someone posted that info recently, I'm sure someone else will chime in with it soon enough.
Copies of Knowledge Reviews are no longer required to be maintained with the PADI Student Record - just verification that they have been completed, in the student's personal copy of the book. Back when they WERE kept on file, a photocopy was acceptable of the
completed Knowledge Review to meet the record retention requirement,
not completion on a blank photocopy.
The written standards:
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Materials
Diver
Ensure that student divers have a personal set of current PADI materials for study and use during the course and for reference afterward, to include, at a minimum, the course manual and slates (printed, digital or app version) unless unavailable in a language understood by the student diver. Ensure that student divers have a log book.
PADI eLearning® meets course manual and video material requirements.
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Now, it is certainly a personal choice/prerogative whether or not you choose to do business with someone that has a "pick and choose" approach to the training Standards they have agreed to follow, and is comfortable with cheating (mildest word I could come up with) their business partners(s). If this standard is optional to them, what other parts of your set training agenda are also optional in their view?
You can probably figure out which side of the line I fall regarding honest and ethical treatment for ALL parties involved.
You could do a lot worse than the Rotary Club 4 Way Test of the things we think, do, and say:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?