The Padi No Fear Diving Specialty Course

[Lorenzoid]

Okay, @Diver0001 has me persuaded that some people who are determined to dive but are hindered by phobias would benefit from referral to a phobia specialist (in effect, a psychotherapist-cum-dive instructor?). So now you can send them to Germany or wherever the OP is located.

 

[Thalassamania]

"Yes, this is a legitimate distinctive specialty that Oliver Radosav is offering. It has been approved by PADI." and this means what?

 

[Dr. Lecter]

"Yes, this is a legitimate distinctive specialty that Oliver Radosav is offering. It has been approved by PADI." and this means what?

I've no idea, beyond the fact that PADI is aware of and not disavowing the "course," whatever it may be.

 

[flots am]

> I seriously need this class! With my new drysuit and liner I can't seem to bend my knees enough to get my fins on and off. Very embarrassing and downright dangerous when trying to beach dive!

Not very helpful now, but next time, you can get a bigger drysuit.

flots.

 

[frythefish]

I want to add my input to this interesting thread.

To introduce myself I am a a full time dive instructor and dive shop owner. Further, I know Oliver Radosav personally and know of his credentials. I have also seen his proof that No Fear Diving is approved by PADI.

I have read every comment on the topic thoroughly and hope my comments can add to the discussion.

I had my doubts regarding Oliver's course initially as an old dog not accepting new tricks, as several of you here have also demonstrated. My intention here is not to defend Oliver, I believe he is capable of doing that himself even considering that English is not his mother tongue.

My intention is to add perspective from my own experience as a full time diving instructor of 17 years. I have had many certified divers walk into my shop who...
...have not been diving in a long time
...were bordering on incompetent divers
...had no idea how to assemble their equipment or operate it
...were afraid of nonsense
...were attention seekers
...had irrational fears not just of sharks but even of small fish
...asked to enter the water from the port side of the boat instead of the starboard???
....refused to entertain the thought of anyone spitting in a mask
....should not have been certified in the first place

...do i need to continue?

In short, there is a very real market for a specialised instructor to help certified divers with their fears if it means they can overcome their problems to become active divers.

Nobody argues against helping people with physical difficulties to become a competent diver, it is a very rewarding experience as an instructor to finish a course with anybody who is not considered 'mainstream' knowing you have overcome the challenges that individuals can and often do throw at you.

Oliver will have his first No Fear Diving student staring the course in my shop in the next few days. I will be observing the course ( I also have not seen the course outline) and reserve my opinion until after the course is completed. I have to admit I have butterflies in my stomach but I am satisfied that the preparation and professionalism with regards to this course are in order.

I have been surprised by the comments on this thread, both the positive and negative ones but I am encouraged that members of the professional diving community are able to look on something new and innovative with an open mind in the hope that someone out there will become a happy diver because of a dedicated instructor's efforts.

 

[Peter_C]

How many people are going to be qualified to teach this class? Sounds like only one person to me. Since a card is not needed, I am curious why make it a PADI class? Insurance reasons?



:shark: Going diving this weekend...

 

[ScubaSteve]

How many people are going to be qualified to teach this class? Sounds like only one person to me. Since a card is not needed, I am curious why make it a PADI class? Insurance reasons?

It certainly is not for the marketing available since the Distinct Specialty courses is not a list that is available to anybody. Silliness that is. As for Insurance, I bet PADI has a team of lawyers that have already guaranteed them that this cannot bite them in the butt......I would bet but am still speculating.

I would suspect that the OP believes that having a PADI endorsement makes the course appear more legitimate.....not that it is not but it likely seems more solid than an unknown scuba certification that is not a certification.

 

[xspect]

@flythefish

I hear you but it still sound like its just a refresher course with a cool sounding name.

If its really so beneficial to those who really need it. Why doesn't the op provide training to other instructors. I'm sure there are hundreds if not thousand of trained "different therapy" professional out there.

But its only the op without the vision to share this healing with diving as a whole.

Soooo I'm still calling BS !!!

 

[Diver0001]

Since a card is not needed, I am curious why make it a PADI class? Insurance reasons?

Partly marketing but also partly a "cya" thing for instructors. If PADI authorizes it and a student gets in an accident while you're teaching it, then PADI will be in the lawyers' cross hairs because it's a sanctioned programme. That gives the instructor a buffer for legal liability. It doesn't release the instructor from duty of care but if an accident happens and there are questions about course content then that becomes PADI's problem.

R..

 

[SeaHorse81]

That gives the instructor a buffer for legal liability. It doesn't release the instructor from duty of care but if an accident happens and there are questions about course content then that becomes PADI's problem.

R..

I'm wondering why PADI would take all that on for a single instructor who would seem to be promoting a worthy cause, yet won't share materials with other instructors so that the benefit could be had in other areas of the world, or even his own country.