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Hi, speaking about the European system of diving clubs and the US system I'd
like to enlight some points here. I learned to dive in the north of France
when I was about 17( I'm 28). My open water certification took about six
month, training once a week, like everybody else in the club... We had to
swim for long distances in full gears but no BC, you stop, you go rigth to
the bottom of the swimming pool ! The physical training was very hard and you
had to know your theory very well to pass your exam. After the test you where
allowed to dive in open water for the first time! (decompression allowed) I
did it in a quarry with a 2 feet visibility and just above freezing water
temp. So the training was difficult and a lot of people dropped it before
the end. The European system produces good divers but the way it is done has
more to do with military than recreationnal diving ( everybody has to start
).It might have changed though ( I hope so).
When I discovered the Padi system in the Philippines I found it to be very
efficient with a very good pedagogy. The student can start diving right away
witch is very good. The content of the course is basically the same as the
French one, just less difficult. But for Halloween in Sarasote FL we had an
underwater pumpkin carving contest and we had to swim for about 200 yards off
the shore, my assigned buddy couldn't even make it and I had to follow him
back, before going again.
This is an extreme but I thing that the Padi system is better, still too
easy.
The problem might come from the fact that people pay for they course and
they expect a c card for their money ! Instructors should ask more from the
students and refuse to give a certification if they have to ( some do, I'm
sure ).
My cave diving courses where better and extremely complete, but what about
a physical workload test and a harder to get written test ?
I've been living here in Florida for only a year and a half (excuse my
English mistakes)
so I might not have the complete picture, thus my conclusions might be wrong.
I'd like to have some different points of view on how should be a diving
training and the requirements to get any certifications...
One thing is sure, for technical diving I believe that the best places and
instructors are here !
Thank you for your comments.
Sincerely,
Gil.
(Bradenton FL)
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