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#51828
2010 Scuba Diving Survey Q1: Scuba Training
Greg - 7/15/2010 4:21 PM
Category: Survey
Replies: 1041

What changes would you make to the scuba training you received?
#161
divershades - 12/03/2010 12:24 PM
[Choose #4] what we learn in classes and pool time is great, but i learned alot from other divers in my first year. I think most classes should be more then a couple hours a week.
#571
123654J - 11/25/2010 7:42 PM
[Choose #1] MY instructor is the BEST.
#787
Mavricky - 9/28/2010 6:13 PM
[Choose #2] Academics well covered but was not clear on them as I feel I should have been
#80
Aquaman69 - 9/22/2010 7:48 AM
[Choose #5] First of all lets start with Instructors ! i’ve heard some spouting on and have a total of only 20 dives themselves , Instructor should have a minimum of 100 dives before teaching others
#1729
bhtmec2 - 9/18/2010 7:46 PM
[Choose #1] Learned in the Military and could never ask for better training
#135
MaconBubbles - 8/30/2010 2:41 PM
[Choose #3] Could have used more time on anything involving a panic situation, such as mask removal. No so much on removing and replacing the mask, but how to gain control without panicing.
#385
toodive4 - 8/28/2010 5:46 PM
[Choose #3] The agencies have dumbed it down too much
#34
tofucute - 8/28/2010 12:39 AM
[Choose #5] Wish that my instrutor had better listening skills, empathy, and sensitivity.
#192
LoriA - 8/26/2010 2:19 PM
[Choose #3] bouyancy
#143
Ashlee - 8/24/2010 6:23 PM
[Choose #3] I felt that we really didn’t get a full chance to demonstrate hands on knowledge. Muscle memory is very important.
#1347
Pixel - 8/23/2010 3:23 PM
[Choose #3] I think quilifying dives should be more than 4. And kitting up should be practised over and over. I’ve seen to many new divers kit up incorrectly because they’re use to the DM/instructor doing it.
#562
Argonaut - 8/23/2010 11:48 AM
[Choose #5] Would like to see training on the most common equipment failures and how to deal with them, especially if they occur at depth but there is a safe way to salvage the dive rather than abort the dive.
#623
flyingfrawg - 8/22/2010 5:15 PM
[Choose #1] LDS PADI and while on trip to OZ were great...
#292
provoker - 8/22/2010 10:25 AM
[Choose #1] PADI is great
#185
Beanie - 8/21/2010 12:58 AM
[Choose #4] I feel as if everything is always rushed.
#4002
WarmWaterTurner - 8/20/2010 3:01 PM
[Choose #4] While I had a very good and careful instructor - i still think that there should be greater effort to getting an ow card.
#31
Shez - 8/20/2010 12:33 PM
[Choose #1] I felt the learning was adequate, any extra would have just been practice
#30
ptanimal - 8/20/2010 12:14 PM
[Choose #2] I have noticed that divers don’t always check their dive tables
#46
rsmith4656 - 8/20/2010 8:12 AM
[Choose #2] Could have spent more time on safety and desired responces to most common mistakes.
#93
TylerDurden - 8/18/2010 11:45 AM
[Choose #3] Would like to have spent more time on buoyancy. The wide range of aptitude in the class meant some picked up the basic procedures quickly but were held back by those who stuggled with mask clearing. Maybe seperate the class into comfort levels.
#640
ereediver - 8/18/2010 10:59 AM
[Choose #3] More time on Mask clearing
#252
ScubaTeve - 8/18/2010 9:59 AM
[Choose #3] In general more is better. Use the tools and techniques in practice. Academics is fine but you need to use what know and retain what you learn by doing.
#184
scubaschwab - 8/17/2010 2:49 PM
[Choose #3] It would have been nice to practice more on hand signals and bouyancy.
#165
rangerdiver - 8/16/2010 10:29 PM
[Choose #3] More bottom time would have been great.
#63
Minky - 8/16/2010 9:38 PM
[Choose #3] mask clearing
#769
azskyandsea - 8/15/2010 1:29 PM
[Choose #3] Bouyency control and other critical skills
#124
neilcp - 8/15/2010 12:31 AM
[Choose #5] No changes... But I would like to include more "emergency situations/procedures" trainings.
#211
rsuave - 8/14/2010 11:51 PM
[Choose #1] NAUI Diver cert from Inland Water Divers, AZ
#80
gunman200081 - 8/13/2010 2:11 PM
[Choose #3] most people learn by doing. You cant have someone spend time in a classroom and learn it. I think you should do more dives for the beginner levels.
#97
Capt_Deadbeard - 8/11/2010 3:12 PM
[Choose #4] Instructor was good, but needed to have more qustions answered for example: Questions on bouyancy.
#65
ROYM - 8/11/2010 12:53 PM
[Choose #5] I would make it mandatory for the agency to be truthful about the low pay associated with dive instructor and dive industry jobs.
#212
Divin_DnT - 8/10/2010 6:08 PM
[Choose #1] I received my OW1 training from NAUI about 25 years ago. Recently, I learned that the recommended ascent rate had changed from 1ft/sec to 1/2ft/sec. There should be a standard for communication of changes in safety procedures for certified divers.
#20
scubaman911 - 8/10/2010 8:14 AM
[Choose #3] water time is the experience needed to get comfortable and not panic. Panic kills.
#43
Calvarycustoms - 8/08/2010 9:57 PM
[Choose #5] Most training recieved was top notch, but deep and drysuit classes I should have researched the instructors better
#205
Synike - 8/08/2010 9:00 PM
[Choose #3] Most people seem to be nervous in water, I’d definitely spend more time in the water to get used to the new environment.
#422
ScubaSteph - 8/08/2010 5:49 PM
[Choose #3] i loved my instructors and feel i learned alot, i just wish we had more time in the water bc i love being in there so much!!
#58
GaryCT - 8/08/2010 3:03 PM
[Choose #5] Could use further training on buoyancy control and finning
#402
Redneck - 8/07/2010 11:15 AM
[Choose #2] went threw the divemaster course and would of liked to went over it more then we did
#343
IceCube - 8/06/2010 4:27 PM
[Choose #4] Too little time is spent on skills. Shop owners looking to just crank people through. Too much weight placed on home study.
#1004
RonSubmerged - 8/06/2010 3:16 PM
[Choose #3] By this I mean I should not have taken such a break in diving, and been further skilled than I am
#2322
iScuba - 8/06/2010 12:33 PM
[Choose #4] The theories and practices run together too much, so it’s my opinion that more concentration is needed in practice than in theory.
#129
scuba-joe - 8/06/2010 9:07 AM
[Choose #5] More or better information about the scuba gear. If I new then what I know now I wouldn’t of bought a jacket type BCD nor a Yoke regulator. Instead I would have gotten a tech rig that supports single or double tanks and a DIM reg set for advancements
#216
Rhonda - 8/06/2010 9:01 AM
[Choose #3] I’m a hands on learner so more time in the water would of been great and practicing my bc control would of been greatly appreciated
#261
Gottado - 8/05/2010 7:30 AM
[Choose #1] PADI has a great curriculum set up for teaching
#13944
noeltime13 - 8/05/2010 5:28 AM
[Choose #3] New divers need more guidance with buoyancy control. An important skill learned over time but can be more easily mastered with early on focus.
#202
snake1986 - 8/04/2010 2:12 PM
[Choose #3] wanted to go at a deeper depth
#3443
theop - 8/04/2010 11:00 AM
[Choose #3] boyoncy control and emergency situations
#6220
OUBobcat - 8/02/2010 9:20 PM
[Choose #3] bouyancy
#68
JL137 - 8/01/2010 7:45 PM
[Choose #3] Individualized Bouyancy work
#64
sjfriend - 7/31/2010 5:38 PM
[Choose #3] neutrel bouyancy and emergency procedures.
#3673
Bigdogdown - 7/30/2010 6:42 PM
[Choose #5] TASK LOADING!!! at least in basic open water, a starting primer in it for comforatbility in the water
#139
Krista - 7/29/2010 2:49 PM
[Choose #4] My instructor was a little too casual, he didn’t even fill out my dive log correctly, or make me perform some of my basic skills
#108
dylon - 7/29/2010 9:00 AM
[Choose #3] Practicing basic tasks ( mask removal, BCD removal)
#228
JerryGray - 7/28/2010 9:22 PM
[Choose #5] I became a PADI instructor when PADI was still a non profit organization. THe divers taught then were better physically prepared than todays divers. PADI is more concerned with protecting itself from lawsuites and making more money than divers skill
#959
RockPro - 7/28/2010 10:39 AM
[Choose #4] AOW Cert has little focus or direct instruction on ANYTHING so far. Not getting what I hoped to out of the course, other than the card.
#1462
charstew - 7/27/2010 10:39 AM
[Choose #5] More focus on self rescue.
#23
Piscador - 7/26/2010 12:41 PM
[Choose #2] My training was thorough, but I have since watched other instructors and they went into greater detail on some important points
#270
bigal - 7/26/2010 12:38 PM
[Choose #3] more time in water because you can’t experience all the different conditions in a pool as you can in the ocean
#1602
LONGTAILBDA - 7/26/2010 11:34 AM
[Choose #2] A LITTLE MORE TIME ON PHYSICS OF DIVING
#69
randydkc - 7/26/2010 10:01 AM
[Choose #4] More detail and more practice is always good
#70
Muckdivers - 7/25/2010 1:41 PM
[Choose #1] The padi open water course my wife and I took through the SCUBA TANK in Valparaiso IN and the advanced PADI course we took through Windy City Scuba were top notch.
#481
MariaPA - 7/25/2010 9:27 AM
[Choose #3] I needed more repetition of skills (not just learning them once), and I needed more diving time to master buoyancy.
#1001
h2ofria - 7/25/2010 8:15 AM
[Choose #3] Needed more time for bouancy and breathing
#339
scubabroad - 7/24/2010 8:18 PM
[Choose #3] Mask removal freaked me out for some time ... better now :)
#209
wannabeafishie - 7/24/2010 5:05 PM
[Choose #5] want more training
#13
meth - 7/24/2010 5:36 AM
[Choose #1] PADI advertising was to much, Always promoting themselves
#154
cwbydiver - 7/23/2010 10:39 PM
[Choose #4] a dont think enough time is required overall due to the constant changes in equipment and skills.
#23
Michaelbrown99 - 7/23/2010 9:54 PM
[Choose #2] I had a completely disorganized instructor, nothing went well in his classes. I got my NAUI license, but honestly shouldn’t have. I had to retake class with PADI to learn to dive.
#194
Tom4Diveheart - 7/23/2010 9:52 PM
[Choose #3] I would like to be more comfortable with underwater skills such as swimming without a mask and taking off and reinstalling equipment
#611
AquaCop - 7/23/2010 4:27 PM
[Choose #1] Ifeel that the training i received was better than what is instructed today...PADI is teaching computers instead of tables
#41
b3d - 7/23/2010 2:32 PM
[Choose #3] even in a pool, beginners can learn proper techniques to maintaining buoyancy
#100
scuba_sw - 7/23/2010 11:29 AM
[Choose #3] Buoyancy
#2698
Fishboy21 - 7/23/2010 1:57 AM
[Choose #4] Training was excellent as far as it went, The skills and knowledge I have needed most often were gained in advanced courses. Current curriculae are far to time limited.
#299
tcdamsel - 7/22/2010 11:22 PM
[Choose #4] Buoyancy control, understanding how everything all fit together; I was a disaster/accident waiting to happen on my first dive trip. I felt sorry for my fellow divers when I look back.
#515
ScottUgly - 7/22/2010 10:47 PM
[Choose #5] The instructor should have emphasized the importance of equalization and shown more techniques.
#231
imbodie - 7/22/2010 10:03 PM
[Choose #1] My course was spread out over a month and a half
#27
seger005 - 7/22/2010 8:41 PM
[Choose #3] instructor wasn’t that great
#18
snhrph - 7/22/2010 4:08 PM
[Choose #1] Practice makes perfect!
#2242
MDW - 7/22/2010 10:35 AM
[Choose #5] Not so much a matter of time spent but of the poor techniques taught. I had to forget a lot of the BS taught in OW class before I could become a good diver.
#3051
Flipper78754 - 7/22/2010 4:12 AM
[Choose #1] But things have changed since 1971
#337
silent - 7/21/2010 10:54 PM
[Choose #5] More time on the skills then carsales men trying to sell me his top gear.
#115
DivingMissDaisy - 7/21/2010 10:47 PM
[Choose #3] Buyoancy and navigation
#630
Aireen - 7/21/2010 10:29 PM
[Choose #3] more time on bouyancy training & equalize techniques
#126
CooperTrooper - 7/21/2010 8:39 PM
[Choose #3] I dont think that showing you can perform a skill one time is sufficient, every skill should have to be done multiple times
#27
JeffMichel - 7/21/2010 5:15 PM
[Choose #2] Information about max bottom time and safety stops should be paramount
#208
carlito - 7/21/2010 4:12 PM
[Choose #5] We are planning on taking the Padi course and by al accounts it is great just the way it is.
#684
emtgirl86 - 7/21/2010 4:00 PM
[Choose #1] I would have loved to spend more time in the water, but it wasn’t needed.
#5687
tshark - 7/21/2010 1:44 PM
[Choose #5] I have had many classes & there are great instructors but more crappy ones. Talk to people & get recommendation before signing up for any class. Dont gamble your life with a poor instructor!s
#33
613limoman - 7/21/2010 1:40 PM
[Choose #3] buoyancy, safety
#3972
DiveRex - 7/21/2010 9:55 AM
[Choose #3] Mask Clearing and CESA need more attention. Also Buddy Breathing.
#123
PlayaJim - 7/21/2010 1:29 AM
[Choose #5] would like to have visited more than one dive site
#258
Fitzy - 7/20/2010 11:43 PM
[Choose #3] Could have used more open water dives in practice.
#579
purplelibrarian - 7/20/2010 11:03 PM
[Choose #5] Trained in late 70’s. We spent an entire semester on everything. Much more thorough than beginners stuff today.
#171
Tab - 7/20/2010 10:55 PM
[Choose #1] At our school they did a great job, but during open water some of the people should not have been there. Or should I say their traing was not a good.
#420
bluesky65rs - 7/20/2010 6:55 PM
[Choose #4] Felt the training was rushed
#938
Fyamon - 7/20/2010 6:06 PM
[Choose #4] SCUBA training has become too ’watered down’ since I started diving in 1976. I am surpirsed there aren’t more serious SCUBA accidents and fatalities. It also seems many new divers stop diving ahortly after class. Many they dont feel confident.
#22
pedrodiver - 7/20/2010 6:01 PM
[Choose #1] trained with the saa in uk very pleased with the traininig time taken and information given to me and 3 others, nice small groups 121 in the pool brillliant would reccomend to anyone . now 18 months later diving uk north sea .........
#87
ScubaDave2 - 7/20/2010 5:55 PM
[Choose #4] I was certified in 1972. We did 8 weeks, 2X a week (1 classroom with homework, 1 pool/per week) plus check out dives. Instruction included rescue (not as much detail as current rescue classes, but basics). Couldn’t get adv until you had 25 dives
#598
bobfish - 7/20/2010 5:05 PM
[Choose #5] Hard to say since instructors seem to run the gammet when it comes to balancing academics with practical skills. Both are very important but when it comes right down to it I think practical skills in the water have a better chance of saving your life
#15342
scott - 7/20/2010 2:59 PM
[Choose #5] should have more first aid stuff