Posted by e-shark on June 07, 2001 at 11:34:58:
In Reply to: Lost In The Flames posted by Jim Hoffmann on June 07, 2001 at 09:02:16:
Do dive shop owners COLLECTIVELY bear no responsibility for the decline in standards?
You can manufacture Spare Airs until the cows come home, but they won't have much effect on anyone's diving until dive retailers sell them.
As to certifying agencies' "shorter programs, more visual aids, and programs for little children,"
1 - The dive shop owner is always free to make a program longer, either directly (more water-time per course) or indirectly (strong continuing eduction program).
2 - There is nothing wrong with a visual aid that facilitates learning.
3 - No one is holding a gun to a dive shop owner's head and saying "teach my 10-year old or else." Just say no.
Caveat: Given the high level of hostility in the recent posts on this board, let me make clear that this is not meant to be an attack on your shop (about which I have heard nothing but good things) or any specific dive shop.