Confused, have questions

[BottomDweller]

Okay, maybe some of you can clear up a couple of random questions for me. I'm PADI Open Water certified and working toward my AOW (one dive to go). My primary diving is through the PADI shop I was certified through. However, I sometimes dive at a lake with folks from an SSI shop. My first question is, what's the rule, if any, for qualification to work at a dive shop? My understanding is AOW certified, whether it's a PADI or an SSI shop. Both shops have at least one diver with under 10 dives and no AOW cert. working there, so I'm just curious. I don't care, personally, as long as they're good, knowledgeable employees. I'm just confused as to how all that works. My second question is stranger. I was told about an SSI-certified diver who went from novice to instructor in two weeks. I just can't see how that's possible, since so many dives are required, not to mention the classroom work, etc. I have to say that even if this whiz kid did do an intensive two-week "boot camp" of classes and diving, I'd want a much more experienced individual as my instructor. Not being familiar with SSI certification practices, I just thought I'd throw these questions out there and see what responses I get. Thanks in advance!

[MgicTwnger]

I don't know about regulations for working in a dive shop, although I would guess that there aren't any.
My pet peeve is card-aholics: people who put the emphasis on getting as many certs as possible as quickly as they can. Diving is a skill and like any other skill it requires both training and experience. I'd much rather dive with the buddy who has lots of dives and a few cards than the guy with a wallet full of cards and not many dives.

[Atlaua]

My first question is, what's the rule, if any, for qualification to work at a dive shop?

There is no rule. You don't even have to dive.


I was told about an SSI-certified diver who went from novice to instructor in two weeks.

There are a couple of companies that run this sort of instructor training.

[MgicTwnger]

Quote:
Originally Posted by BottomDweller
I was told about an SSI-certified diver who went from novice to instructor in two weeks.




There are a couple of companies that run this sort of instructor training.
Isn't that special!:eek:

[BottomDweller]

Nothing like waiting a couple of months to get back to a discussion, but here's an additional two cents from me: my local shop requires its employees to be at least Advanced Open Water certified, with one or two exceptions. And I'm beginning to see first-hand what number of dives vs. experience means. I'm the type who likes to thoroughly learn something, and then get the card. I don't want a bunch of cards that don't mean much. I have under 20 dives, but I just got my Advanced Open Water rating, and I see the dives I've done as really good experiences toward becoming a better and more well-rounded diver. On my 12th dive, which was my second night dive, my buddy was a diver with 23 dives. Even though my buddy had almost twice as many dives as I did, it turned out that I had a broader range of experience and more confidence than my buddy. On another occasion, I was hooked up with a buddy who, as it turned out, had a total of 6 dives, hadn't dived in two years, but worked at a dive shop, and so felt very comfortable expounding to me a vast storehouse of "dive knowledge" throughout the day. The best advice I've received all summer? In reading the book Diver Down, by Michael Ange, I repeatedly read the author's words, "Every diver is ultimately responsible for him- or herself." Have fun, dive with a buddy, but know your own skills and limitations and dive within them.

[juls64]

[quote=BottomDweller;10835] "Every diver is ultimately responsible for him- or herself." " Have fun, dive with a buddy, but know your own skills and limitations and dive within them.["/quote]


YES YES YES YES YES


Agencies-Smagencies, you are responsible for you, Self-Responsibility!

The training itself doesn't make you a good diver.

It is a tool.

Motivation, practice, discipline and experience along with education, is what makes good divers. (IMHO)

[MgicTwnger]

[quote=BottomDweller;10835] "Every diver is ultimately responsible for him- or herself." " Have fun, dive with a buddy, but know your own skills and limitations and dive within them.["/quote]


YES YES YES YES YES



Agencies-Smagencies, you are responsible for you, Self-Responsibility!



The training itself doesn't make you a good diver.



It is a tool.



Motivation, practice, discipline and experience along with education, is what makes good divers. (IMHO)



Amen Sister.

[DeepDiverBob]

I thought the prettiest gear and DIR made you a good diver.

[juls64]

I thought the prettiest gear and DIR made you a good diver.

Now why do you have to bring DIRty words into this?

I do like pretty gear though.

[nauifins73]

I do like pretty gear though.

Several years ago I had a guy (Instructor) tell me women were ruining the sport (yes it is a sport) becuase we wanted all this colorful stuff. He said that tongue in cheek BUT I think in his heart he believed it. He started diving in the late 60's when they were still using wooden tanks.

[ppo2_diver]

I thought the prettiest gear and DIR made you a good diver.

Hey now. I thought this place wasn't like that "other" board. We are all equal here.

[MgicTwnger]

Several years ago I had a guy (Instructor) tell me women were ruining the sport (yes it is a sport) becuase we wanted all this colorful stuff. He said that tongue in cheek BUT I think in his heart he believed it. He started diving in the late 60's when they were still using wooden tanks.
I was certified in the late 60's too and I don't feel that way at all. I mean, what could be better than young (and not so young) chicks running around in skin-tight neoprene? Oink!

[DeepDiverBob]

Hey now. I thought this place wasn't like that "other" board. We are all equal here.

Everyone is equal here...I pick on everybody equally. :D

[steve2281]

what could be better than young (and not so young) chicks running around in skin-tight neoprene? Oink!

young (and not so young) chicks running around after pulling off their skin tight neoprene.

[MgicTwnger]

young (and not so young) chicks running around after pulling off their skin tight neoprene.
YOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You going to be around Mermet this weekend?I will.

[DeepDiverBob]

YOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You going to be around Mermet this weekend?I will.

are you wanting to see steve running around...nevermind....

[steve2281]

are you wanting to see steve running around...nevermind....

He'll have to show up tomorrow (Thur) to see me running around out of my skintight neoprene.


Are we on topic here??

[MgicTwnger]

Are we on topic here??

What topic? I'm confused and have questions.

Let's get back to women & neoprene.

[VuDuLou]

What topic? I'm confused and have questions.

Let's get back to women & neoprene.

Here, Here!!!!

Don't make me break out my old UDT's.....