From: daigle@APOLLO.HP.COM (Joe Daigle)
Subject: Re: Advance courses vs self study
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 13:45:14 GMT
Reply-To: daigle@apollo.hp.com
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Chelmsford, MA


The only problem that I would see with this is that many of the dive operators are
"requiring" that you are certified Advanced OW to be "allowed" to go on any
advanced diving.  My wife and I (both Advanced OW) were on vacation with another couple, 
who were not certified as advanced divers.  The four of us wanted to dive a deep wreck
but the operator would not allow them to dive it due to their OW rating.  He said that
it was due to insurance regulations (?true?).   


In article <1an4i0INN9eu@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu>, eam13@po.CWRU.Edu (Elizabeth A. Madigan) writes:
|> 
|> In a previous article, ccechk@nuscc.nus.sg (Heng Kek) says:
|> 
|> >Greetings
|> >
|> >I'd like the opinions of you advance-divers/divemasters/instructors
|> >out there, on this:
|> >
|> >For someone who has the following attributes/qualifications:
|> >- OW1 (Naui)
|> >- extremely comfortable and fairly 'agile' underwater
|> >- in good health
|> >- very good swimmer
|> >
|> >is it okay for him/her to acquire skills taught in Advance courses
|> >by just buying one of them text books and studying it and practise
|> >whenever s/he can?   Ok, ok, I admit, it's me I'm talking about.
|> >The reason I ask this is that I'm not willing to part with the
|> >course fees (S$400-500) for something I can learn on my own when I
|> >go for my trips (with a buddy of course).  Of course, I won't get
|> >the certification but I will most probably have the knowledge and
|> >skills an Advance diver supposedly has(?).  
|> >
|> >I've seen one of those PADI Advance Divers textbooks and it looks
|> >rather comprehensive.  I know I'll probably get flamed, but I just
|> >want to know what you people think.  Thanks for any input.
|> >
|> >Sincerely
|> >Heng Kek
|> >"I'd rather spend the money on trips and equipment."
|> >
|> 
|> I understand what you're trying to do.  My certification
|> only goes as far as PADI AOW.  I've learned my advance diving
|> skills from the people I dive with.  Some of them are instructors,
|> some are avid divers who have done extensive reading and talking
|> to experts.  The expectation is that if you want to learn from
|> this group, then you listen and follow their guidelines.  It
|> worked for me.  We all know people with wallets full of c-cards
|> who aren't worth a damn in the water.  At the same time, the
|> practical (in the water work) is invaluable.  I would suggest that
|> you evaluate the people you dive with.  Is there anyone who can help
|> you with learning advanced skills?  Does this person or group have
|> a good knowledge base?  If the people you dive with are on the same
|> knowledge level as you are, better spend the money.
|> 
|> Liz Madigan

-- 


Joseph W. Daigle
                          
DSEE Project Team
Open Systems Software Division   Hewlett Packard Company
MS CHR-03-DC                     508/436-4227
300 Apollo Drive                 EMail: daigle@apollo.hp.com
Chelmsford, MA 01824             HP TN: 436-4227


"Don't blame me, I didn't name it 'dizzy'"


"We are only immortal for a limited time"   --   Rush