Kharon
Contributor
Sounds like an arrogant p***k. Would you really want to have someone with that attitude as an instructor?
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I am regularly involved in AOW classes in a PADIi dive center, and all OW divers are welcome. We assess during the class, and make it clear that there are standards to met before issue the certification just as in OW, but the standards are higher. Not everyone gets the AOW card the first go. I prefer divers who have at least 20 non-training open water dives before starting the AOW class, but some with less experience do fine and some with more do not do as well. There is no accurate predictor, and so all OW divers are welcome in the class. Assessment comes during the class, including during the AOW open water dives. That is where it belongs. The problem with "independent" instructors, regardless of their agency affiliation, is that they can, in some cases, have a tendency to "make up" their own rules, and I guess that is their business. But Timmyjoe, the instructor with whom you spoke is full of gas. I suggest you go elsewhere.
DivemasterDennis
OP:
Think about this from the instructor's perspective for a moment. He doesn't know your dive skills from Adam's. You plunk down the big money for the AOW and he discover's that you don't have any buoyancy control, can't clear a mask, and can't use a compass. Now we have a dillemma of he spends a lot of additional time, usually at no additional charge, teaching you these things and he is pissed off because his effective hourly wage just went through the floor. Or he tells you he can't certify you because you don't know how to do the basics and you are pissed off because you are out the money.
The scuba review is a low cost way for both of you both get on the same page as far as expectations go. Furthermore if you think he is a tool during the scuba review, you can also walk away without paying for the big class.
Finally, would you be this upset if his price for class was $40.00 higher and he gave a $40.00 discount to prior students?