Posted by JIm Hoffmann on March 12, 2001 at 13:37:56:
In Reply to: Here's the Solo Diving requirements posted by MHK on March 12, 2001 at 12:35:51:
The BBS poll means nothing. TDI-SDI are nothing (here is a company, that were the first to
certify 10 year olds, a company that only teach’s computer diving in their basic class, a
company that will cross-over any instructor, with a photo copy of their current instructor
card, a company who’s CEO has some very questionable business practices, a company in
other words desperate for market share).
The diving industry has been in a recession most of the ‘90’s ( the numbers have been
way down). All of the training agencies have been looking for ways to increase the
number of certifications. In there search for numbers we have seen the 3 day certification
programs, the certification of baby’s, the inter-net certification program, thousands of
specialty programs, Tech diving for the newly certified, and now we see the SOLO
DIVER specialty program.
What are the motives behind the SOLO DIVER specialty program? Is it to produce a
safer diver, or is it to increase there numbers (money)?
It’s a sad thing, I have seen some of our training agencies go from a philosophy of how much we can teach our students, to of how little, from a philosopy of teaching a diver to be self-reliant, to is it defensible in court .
Diving has changed allot in the 30+ years I have been diving, but one fact remains the
same you are safer diving in a buddy team, then by yourself (no matter how many cards
you have, and no matter what they say on many).
Jim Hoffmann
NAUI 5888
PADI 6301