gmm@bunker.UUCP (Gregory M. Mandas) (09/14/84)
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To anyone learning to dive I would suggest learning from your local
university. This is because Dive shops are in business to make money
and like to turn over classes quickly. This leads to a tendency to
cut out subject matter not required by the certification association.
Your local university must fill an entire semester/quarter with a
quality course with enough class and lab (pool) time to qualify for
credit hours. They are more likely to dive [ :-) ] deeper into
subjects and require more of the student at exam time. This is the
nature of the university environment. For your own region you need
to look into the situation. I cann't say that universities are
always better, but I feel as a whole they are.
The specific material I am talking about is the medical consequences of
diving. (Some schools include a CPR course.) Diving is full of dangers
if the proper procedures are no followed. Query: Is it common knowledge
that the symptoms of the bends can surface 15 years after the incident
without any prior indication. Is it common knowledge that a study of
the navy dive tables showed that if followed to the letter they may
bend the average diver in cold water.
I am kind of a snob when it comes to my training because I feel I received
the best and am a safer diver because of it. Allow me to relay two
incidents that point this out.
As an assistant instructor one of our classes was out for their first
open water dive. (which was the certification test, we did all our
instruction in the pool) At the lake the same day was an "advanced"
class from the local dive shop. Several of the shop's advanced students
were cramping up due to the cold and improper preparation. Without a
moments hesitation our beginners were preforming open water rescues.
The second incident was in Tobermorey Canada. The day before we arrived
a couple died. The local boat captains were not very interested when we
requested to make the same dive the next day. (110 feet in 34 degree
water to a fully intact ship wreak) After a discussion with the
captain on the procedures and dive plans we were going to follow
he allowed the dive. After watching the first of 10 dive pairs
the captain went up-top and took a nap.
I know this sounds a little high hatted but I fear for divers with
minimal training. There are zillions of ways to get hurt diving.
(Even while not diving trying to cross a street) The best way
to stay alive is to know what you are up against. Do not skimp
on SCUBA education. It is fun and can be safe.
Greg Mandas (Do you know where the nearest recompression
ittvax!bunker! gmm chamber is and the phone number? Be sure you
supply the quarter in case it's you that needs
to go.)kjk@iham1.UUCP (kjk) (09/17/84)
I being a certified YMCA diver would have to agree. Scuba diving is a fun and enjoyable thing. If it is done right! The instructor of the course I took is one of the most saftey concious divers I know. During the entire course we learned what to do and more inportantly how to become I safe diver. The course really did its best to help make a diver aware of his/her own limitations and also because of this I felt more comfortable during the class. Part of the class work included a CPR training exercise. All of this was offered through the YMCA and taught by a dedicated volunteer staff! I was so impressed by the course and the people who taught it that I myself joined the scuba club, it was the club which offered the course through the YMCA. Part of the clubs charter is to promote safe/fun diving. They require each member to hold a valid certification card and also a valid CPR card. This type of saftey is stressed and integrated as part of the course. Most of the students that we see through offering the course have either taken a short resort course while on vacation, or have friends that dive and are interested in learning. By educating people properly from the beginning what it takes to be a safe diver they can learn to make it part of their everyday diving routine.
jah@brunix.UUCP (Jim Hendler) (09/19/84)
Although I disagree with the statement that universities would tend to be better at teachign safe scuba (I've taught and both, and seen dozens of each, the quality varies based on the instructor, not on the program!) I will say that the Y HAD a good reputation. However, as of a few years back the YMCA stopped offering it's own certification, and stopped certifying new instructors. Most Y's now offer NAUI or PADI courses, and are therefore the same as dive shops. If you find a Y with an instructor with YMCA certification you should take that course. p.s. Send me mail telling me where you're located and I can tell you some of the better programs in your area...
waag@trwrb.UUCP (Timothy M. Waag) (09/20/84)
<> From what I have observed, Universities seem to offer safer, more thorough certification courses. In particular, I was certified at a local (southern california) dive shop and received adequate instruction. However, several of my diving buddies were certified through programs at UCLA, and seemed to receive far superior instruction. For instance, when diving on a UCLA chartered boat, I was required to perform a checkout dive since this happened to be my first dive with UCLA. I had to do in spite of having a recent, valid certification. During this checkout dive, I was required to perform certain standard procedures that I was not properly taught through the local dive shop certification course. Perhaps the reason for this higher standard in University courses is in part due to the fact that they are more eagerly sued by victims of diving accidents. Also, as mentioned earlier, the more rigorous and thorough university environment probably played a part as well. Tim Waag trwrb!waag