Mailing List Archive

Mailing List: techdiver

Message Display

>A big fat bologna sandwich went out yesterday stating that if I, as a
>Brand X, Y, or Z instructor, chose NOT to certify a student, HQ from my
>agency would issue a c-card.
>
>I have consulted HQ from Brand X, and they have assured me that the
>Certification must come from the certifying instructor.  ME.  Brand X
>allows me to increase the standards of my course as long as I meet the
>minimums of the Standards and Procedures.  If I chose to increase the
>requirements of graduation, I merely need to inform the student that this
>skill, task, or exercise is above and beyond the call of Brand X's
>standards.  The student can refuse to perform the request.  I will not
>certify.  The student can move along to another instructor if he or she
>so chooses.
>
>The bologna sandwich had a basis of fact for the agency issuing a card
>due to the possibility of discrimination.  This is an entirely different
>forum.  If the student feels discriminated against then they will be able
>to file grievance with Brand X headquarters on me (instructor).  If the
>allegations are proven correct, then this student will undoubtedly win a
>law suit, receive a refund of the course, and I will no longer instruct
>for at least one year (more likely permanent decertification as an
>Instructor).
>
>In any case Brand X will NOT issue a C-Card to appease a potential diver.
>
>
>By increasing the swim standards of your entry level course.  At worse
>you could be accused of running a military boot camp (I have been, broke
>my heart --- Grin).
>


i responded to your original post by beginning that i AGREED wioth at least
the spirit of your point of view...

sorry you can't discuss some disagreement without resorting to name-calling.
i've been called worse than a sandwich before, but never big or fat.

i wiehg about 130lbs...so without seeing you or knowing you i'lll ask;
which of us more resembles a big fat sandwich, you or me?

in any case...NAUI may indeed have no problem with you setting your own
standards...my point, i THOUGHT i had made it clearly, was that you had an
obligation to state your criterai AHEAD of time and to stick to it...not to
arbitrarily certify or not even though students met the stated standards.

seems to me you are thrusting out your chest about what a "tough"
instructor you are.

this is not AUTOMATICALLY the same thing as an instructor who trains BETTER
divers.

military boot camp has its place.
it's in the military.

in a RECREATIONAL sport it only serves to attract a certain personality
which, again, may or may not be the best divers ultimately.
only the most macho.

and in my experience it's often the "tough guy" students who have the most
disregard for the rules...of diving, of society, of nature... often to
their own detriment.


so bottom line is i'm with you on the need for MEANINGFUL standards for
prospective students.
i'm NOT with you if you're implying that "tougher" is ALWAYS by its very
definition "better".
it isn't.
otherwise ONLY Navy SEALS should be diving and that's just not true.

let's talk about it WITHOUT the childish name-calling...shall we?

you ARE supposed to be a diving PROFESSIONAL, no?
i think most agency standards also talk about a professional ATTITUDE.

best,
w


--
Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.
Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.

Navigate by Author: [Previous] [Next] [Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject: [Previous] [Next] [Subject Search Index]

[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]

[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]