Posted by Wood on June 12, 2001 at 09:29:55:
In Reply to: Re: your "questions" about PADI posted by MHK on June 11, 2001 at 17:29:09:
“But doesn't it strike you as strange that the *teachers* of one organization, need to go to a fundamentals class of another organization to learn the basics??? If they don't go to another agancy what then are they teaching??? And equally as important, how did they get the teaching credentials in the first place????”
I have read some of the threads that have come off of this note and understand you may not have meant it quite the way it was written, but you've presented the notorious "if-then" argument which you must know never holds up. Much like stereotyping any group, you've lumped us PADI Neanderthals all into one group with one intention; to learn “the basics” from a qualified source.
There are many reasons why Instructors will take classes from other agencies:
Sometimes we want to stay on top of new trends and PADI may not always be the best source.
Sometimes Instructors want to stay fresh with their teaching techniques and taking a class from another Agency/Instructor can be a great way to learn good and bad techniques to use or avoid.
Anyone that became a PADI Instructor with the intent of teaching any truly technical diving did not do his or her homework. This is where other agencies like GUE excel.
Times and interests change.
When you take a “fundamentals” course from a new agency it is to learn not only what they teach, but also their theories and methodology.
The concept that Instructors are taking this course because they do not have, know how to teach or don’t understand the basic skills in diving is a label you may want to attach on a case by case basis.
Some of us with extensive experience are interested in taking a more technical course first, but understand the value of starting at the basic level.
I also believe that the basic class is needed to begin more advanced training?
As someone who is very interested in the GUE curriculum and in a position to listen and overhear a continuous flow of dive related conversations, let me give you some advise/feedback;
Many divers interested in this program come to this bb to get info and lurk in the shadows. When those of you that are involved in the training are constantly belittling the agency that they belong to it turns them off.
You have a good product; quit shooting yourself in the foot by promoting it un-intelligently. We all know PADI is far from perfect, quit beating a dead horse.
You are literally losing business.