I guess I should apologize.  

I did not intend to insult you, or infer that you were a sandwich, nor 
big and fat.  My sarcasm does not translate well into Netiquette.  I am 
truly sorry.

I wrote the message in a somewhat less than full mental capacity... it 
was late, I was tired.  Therefore my point was not as direct as it was 
intended.

I am not a big and macho instructor (okay I'm not the macho.  I am large 
- 6'1", 220 pounds, 15% body fat).  Each course I teach is tailored to 
the needs and desires of the students involved.  If one student wants a 
rigorous course, then he/she shall have it.  If the entire course wants 
this treatment, then they will get all of that.
For the most part, the courses I run are at the standards of NAUI, with 
more emphasis applied to self assists, rescues, etc.  As long as any 
student passess NAUI's minimum's they will pass my course.

As the courses progress both academically and physically, so do my 
courses.  I will add standards that the participants should strive for, 
but they will all know the absolute basics (NAUI's Standards).  Most will 
strive for the extra mile when it's laid in front of them.  If they are 
not given something higher to achieve, they will not know what goals to 
set.

I apologize for not reading your original post carefully, I did not 
notice your points for ensuring that the Instructor has informed his 
clients that they may be held against different (higher?) standards than 
prescribed by the training agency.
I do not know where HQ would stand on a case where I did not properly 
inform my clients of my standards for certification, and did not certify 
this diver.

Again - I am sorry for insulting you.  This was not my intent.

Have a good day, and you're sure to have a great dive!

Rob

W. Wittman wrote:
>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.
--
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