Mailing List Archive Mailing List Archive
George, Sadly, PADI is attempting to enter the world of Technical diving but even more sad will be the loss of a single life because of inadequate training supplied by a PADI Technical instructor. My past argument stating that PADI had its place in the world teaching recreational divers has lost some of its meaning and I honestly believe that PADI is overstepping its bounds in the name of profit. I have no experience in technical diving... just 3 years or so of information on this list; I've managed to garner enough information over these 3 years to cause me disbelief when I read the qualifications of the individuals leading PADI's TecRec program. Some might suggest that not being a technical diver; I have no right to judge... however; I can still use my brain, and it doesn't take much intelligence to see that people are going to get hurt if extreme caution isn't exercised. I posted my comments to this group in an attempt to have someone (anyone) provide me one shred of evidence to support the notion that PADI's experts are indeed capable of leading PADI's charge into technical diving. So far, I have received nothing but reinforcement that my initial estimation of PADI's technical experts was correct; Most of them do not have the qualifications to lead a technical diving program. You know what my problem is George? My problem is that I need to believe in organizations I represent. A fundamental belief that who I represent (PADI in this case) is doing the best job they can with the resources they have. Unfortunately, I don't believe that PADI is doing the best job they can and I do believe that they are in it solely for the money. You see George; I don't believe that you can mass produce good technical divers. The problems that come up with mass producing recreational divers can be dealt with a minimum loss of life. The problems that arise with mass producing divers who believe that they are technical divers (in my mind PADI will NEVER actually produce technical divers with their current lot of "experts" and ignorant philosophies such as DEEP AIR)because PADI tells them that they are and they don't know any better; will produce a maximum loss of life. One might say that if someone is stupid enough to take a technical diving class from PADI; that they deserve what they get. The problem with that logic is: Most people don't know enough to understand what they don't know. Confusing? Let me put it to you this way; The more I know about any given subject, the more I realize how little I know. Ignorant technical diver wannabe's are going to trust whatever PADI says because...well... its PADI afterall... and they won't KNOW ANY BETTER. What makes it even worse is that the people that least need to be technical divers are the most likely PADI certified divers to pursue it... the card chasers who just want an ID card that shows they've done it all... look; I'm a technical diver because it says so right here on my C-card. Anyone out there think I'm wrong? If you are at all related to PADI, you know I'm right because you've seen it over and over and over... Certifications and certification cards SELL... and remember; PADI is in this for the money. So here I sit... unable to defend PADI's foray into Technical diving. So what do I do? Number one; I let PADI know how I feel (both of my posts have been forwarded to PADI). Number two; I speak out against anyone receiving technical training through PADI (you can sure as hell bet that my recreational diving students and advanced students will be told to STAY out of PADI's technical diving program and steered towards GUE or at a minimum, DIR). Number three; I utilize my right of free speech and list the reasons why I disagree with PADI and if anyone has a case to refute my comments, I'll be happy to debate with them in a public or private forum. The good news is; I've received more comments from PADI instructors who agree with me than those who disagree... the bad news is that there exists a single person who believes that PADI is doing the right thing in being involved in technical diving. Anyone want to place a bet with me that after PADI gets sued a few times for killing recreational divers who believe that they are technical divers... PADI drops the TecRec program? Oh, and one other thing... if there are any PADI instructors out there reading this who push this TecRec program to their students; you will deserve what you get when one of your former students die (whether or not you actually become a TecRec Instructor)... the PADI instructors on this list KNOW better. You know deep air is stupid, and if you can read; you know that their technical diving experts are far from it (in most, but not all cases). I can perhaps understand the 99% of PADI instructors who push the TecRec program because they don't know better. You however, don't have that excuse. Kindest Regards, Joe West IDCS164452 -- 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]