Posted by Jim Hoffmann on October 18, 2000 at 09:51:46:
If you really want to boycott PADI, here are three good reasons.
1. No hourly requirement for entry level programs. That means that a person can be ceritfied as a diver in 80 min.(The time it takes to do 4 OW dives). There is no time set for the academics or the confined water, only for the OW dives.
2. Because of the lack of and hourly requirements, we have seen the growth of the three day dive certifiation programs. The student takes there academics with a video or on-line, takes the written test, go's in the pool for 5-6 hours, and then does 4 dives, over 2 days (PADI instructors are doing this type of class here is So.Calif. a cold water diving area).
3. This year PADI and SSI started certifing 10 year olds! 10 year old!
If this is not robbing the craddle, I don't what is. 10 year olds are still babys they don't belong in a hazardous environment using life support equipment!
To dive in So. Calif. you need to be self-reliant. Do you think that divers certified in 80 min. or 10 year olds have the training to be self-reliant here in SO. CAL.? Or are they a danger to themselves and other?
There are many more reasons to boycott PADI, but I think these 3 show the mind-set of PADI and what PADI is all about.
Jim Hoffmann