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In your message dated Wednesday 29, March 1995 you wrote : > First I'll apologize if anyone feels this thing is downgrading to a > rec.scuba debate, but it is about the IANTD courses, but I'll limit > myself to this last post... > > > What on earth is wrong with trying to make a living? > > Nothing at all. I think it is the content of the course being questioned, > not the idea that an instructor should earn (good) money for their time. > The Basic Nitrox course seems to be being dumbed down far enough that for > those that are going on (soon) to the Tech course, the knowledge from the > Basic course is probably needing no more than an hour of "firming up" by an > instructor. This diver has ALREADY spent his/her own time reading about > dive physics and physiology. Charles, Boyles, Henry's, etc Laws are not > going to be an issue for said diver. They have an understanding of MOD, > best mix, etc. > > I suppose either way you spend the cash, its either on dive books to > stock your personal library, or on the instruction. Good instruction > is priceless. Redundant instruction is wasteful. Recognize the > difference when instruction (as a whole) seems to be getting attacked. > > Let me put it another way (since I am known to gripe about course > proliferation).... As a consumer, I will pay you top dollar as > an instructor to teach me what *I* want to learn. (sounds kind of > funny and really self-centered, but if it does then you need to > ask yourself who exists for whom, do students exist so instructors > can teach, or do instructors exist to teach students?) Then at the end > of the session(s) we can see what certifications I will qualify for. > (some planning at the start would be warranted as well) > (no so that I can collect c-cards, but so I can get my fills from > people who don't know me). I have ZERO problems with cash leaving my > pockets in that situation. It maximizes the benefit to me, gives > you a student willing to pay well(which should be a positive thing, though > perhaps a rarity), but (perhaps) minimizes the overall ammount > of cash flowing out for instructional purposes. > > > benefit. As for having to pay for O2 cleaning of regs cylinders etc.. for > > the most part it is these same people who are going to be filling, and > > mixing the gases and hence take the risk of fire and explosions. I suppose > > I believe that the people pumping my gas can make almost any request they'd > like about the cleaning of my equipment. Its their butts on the line. > > Mike, waiting for the flames.. Mike, I think your comments make a lot of sense. Instructors need to make a living out of instruction, otherwise why would they instruct? Equally, the student needs to get instruction which is relevant to the diving they are doing. Nitrox and technical training has not been around long enough yet to gain the maturity of the air training agencies (and we see plenty of complaints about their tuition) and so, by necessity, nitrox and technical instructors have more input into the individual course content. Thus it is easier for a good instructor to teach a good course, but also harder for instructors who like to "teach by the numbers" from pre prepared course materials where little deviation is allowed. So, for prospective students, choose a good instructor and talk to him or her about what you want to do. If you can't gat your questions answered, keep looking - but don't expect to find the best tuition at the lowest price. Martin > -- > Mike Zimmerman [\] I'd rather be diving [\] zimmmt@au*.al*.co* > Alcatel Network Sytems, Raleigh, NC Minds are like parachutes.... > My opinions, not Alcatel's they only function when open. > -- > Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@opal.com'. > Send subscription/archive requests to `techdiver-request@opal.com'. > > -- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Martin Smith EMail martin@ | | Mail sent via Demon Internet - Full IP for �10/Month Tel:0181 371 1234 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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