Precision Diving

A little while ago, I had someone locally contact me to evaluate his technical diving skills. He had already been through a technical diving class from a well known tech instructor in the Lake Michigan area. He was looking for an assessment of his technical diving skills and knowledge as he was a newer technical diver. Always willing to help out those in need, I agreed if he bought me lunch at the quarry. I spent the day with him and his skills were less than spectacular. After talking to him, he mentioned that he only had to do the skills for his class once or twice. This got me thinking, perhaps he had a bad day when diving with me or perhaps he just had a lucky day during his training. The light bulb went off in my head. (more…)

As October approached, I knew that our days to get on Lake Michigan were numbered. Rob and Dave called me up and said they wanted to get one more big dive on Lake Michigan before the weather completely shuts us down for the year. I haven’t had a chance to dive with Rob and Dave much this year. All of us have had the usual stuff creep up in our lives and our schedules would never line up. We looked at a couple charters still going out this time of the year and saw that Shipwreck Explorers operated by Captain Jitka had an opening for a two tech dive day. We booked it. (more…)

If you haven’t seen this announcement from PADI yet, here it is. I pulled it from here. Does PADI really think that this is the correct approach? Instructors can be good sales people, but they are instructors first. If PADI wants to revisit anything, how about defining mastery for their classes or lengthening the courses? The truth is, dive instructors should not be sales mules. We teach diving, as a training organization, that should be PADI’s primary focus. Not trying to make more sales. Just proof that there are more and more people selling out the sport of diving. OK, I’m off my soap box. I’m sorry if I’m being rude, but I am passionate about diving education. (more…)

Just got this notification from Diver’s Alert Network (DAN). Looks like a cool study.

DURHAM, NC – Divers Alert Network (DAN) is looking for divers and/or expeditions to get involved with in 2010 and to invite participants to take part in this observational, non-interventional field study. DAN will enroll adult volunteers, certified divers or students in the process of dive training and follow them during their regular field activities. (more…)