Interesting PADI Specialties

[rumblefish]

As you may have noticed I've ben hitting PADI pretty hard lately. Just to show everyone that I'm not anti-PADI, here are some interesting PADI specialties I've found.

dive tech
Underwater Crime Scene Investigator - For all you CSI fans.

http://www.scottsscuba.com/education.htm#Commercial
Another avenue to go pro.

PADI Heli Diver Scuba Course
PADI, NAUI, SSI, Helicopter Air Sea Rescue Course
Helicopter rescue diver. Enough said.

Helicopter diving an extreme sport A little write up of heli-diving. Not related to the heli-rescue classes above though.

Sal Diving Company, Cornwall UK - Welcome
Kickin' it old school, 'cause that's just how I roll. Always wanted to imitate that dude in my fish tank.

Scuba Courses, IAHD Training
OK, not PADI, IAHD - Intl Assoc. for Handicapped divers, but I thought it worthwhile to post.

[navyhmc]

Well, if I win the lottery, the hard helmet specialty is a must. I have done one Brass hat dive about 20 years ago but it was too long ago and too short a dive. I'd love to do that again.

[H2OGuy75]

How about the Aquarium Diver specialty?! You can dive in the National Aquarium in Baltimore and get a PADI Specialty. I did it, its a blast and very unique.

[Don Wray]

Originally Posted by rumblefish

As you may have noticed I've ben hitting PADI pretty hard lately. Just to show everyone that I'm not anti-PADI, here are some interesting PADI specialties I've found.

dive tech
Underwater Crime Scene Investigator - For all you CSI fans.

http://www.scottsscuba.com/education.htm#Commercial
Another avenue to go pro.

PADI Heli Diver Scuba Course
PADI, NAUI, SSI, Helicopter Air Sea Rescue Course
Helicopter rescue diver. Enough said.

Helicopter diving an extreme sport A little write up of heli-diving. Not related to the heli-rescue classes above though.

Sal Diving Company, Cornwall UK - Welcome
Kickin' it old school, 'cause that's just how I roll. Always wanted to imitate that dude in my fish tank.

Scuba Courses, IAHD Training
OK, not PADI, IAHD - Intl Assoc. for Handicapped divers, but I thought it worthwhile to post.

Might make some wonder why, hide behind a moniker, not much profile, but constantly lambasting an agency. Put your credentials out there for all to see. What happened, failed a PADI course?

Instructors write distinctive specialities and submit them for approval. Must be a market there. Take the time to read all of the agencies specialties. They are offered not required. If you don't want it, don't take it.

[Vercingetorix]

Originally Posted by Don Wray

Might make some wonder why, hide behind a moniker, not much profile, but constantly lambasting an agency. Put your credentials out there for all to see. What happened, failed a PADI course?

Instructors write distinctive specialities and submit them for approval. Must be a market there. Take the time to read all of the agencies specialties. They are offered not required. If you don't want it, don't take it.

Chief Wray, he's not attacking PADI or any other agency. There really is no need to defend an agency or to personally attack another forum member. I noted on another thread your defense of PADI, where no slight was made. We try to maintain an easy-going community here, and try to avoid the flamewars and personal invectives common to "that other board".

I'm not going to suggest that you "relax" or "chill"; that would be insulting. All I' am suggesting is that let stuff slide unless you are personally attacked. If that occurs, report it to Larry and the appropriate action will be taken. Larry wants a friendly board here as well.

[Don Wray]

Please point out any attack against anyone. If those who wish to attack an agency can't defend their position, why can I not address those. People who have not yet taken a scuba course read these forums and make decisions based upon internet divers. I will not stand by and watch attacks against my agency by those who won't even present their credentials. Trust me, I do not need to "relax" or "chill" The easy going community you speak of continually abases "my" community. If it gets to be more than I can stand, I promise I'll stop reading it. Until then, without attacks on the other agencies, I will defend mine. I'm a plain spoken person and sometimes can appear blunt. This is the second time you have decided it is your duty to correct me, and as we are close to the same age, let me assure you I don't need a proctor. If you don't like my responses, don't read them. P.S. Read his opening line.

[Vercingetorix]

What happened, failed a PADI course?

That appears to be an attack.

I would not be so presumptuous as to correct you. Indeed, it's not my duty. As you point out, you are old enough to know better.

I will continue to read and comment upon your responses, should I feel the desire. Should a poster anger you, you are free not to read it as well (as you suggested), or comment upon it.

I read his opening line. I did not stop reading there, and saw where he shared other valuable PADI specialties. He doesn't have blinders on.

[Don Wray]

What happened, failed a PADI course?

I see, so questioning a person's reasoning for admittingly attacking an agency is an attack? There must be a reason one person brazenly continues to debase an agency he or she may or may not have taken a course from....hard to determine since their profile is so devoid. A reasonable question I think.

where he shared other valuable PADI specialties.

not his intention, and you know it.

He doesn't have blinders on.

You are correct, he knows exactly what his intentions where.

I will continue to read and comment upon your responses, should I feel the desire.

Good, as will I.

[rumblefish]

Wow, well it seems like my post has rubbed someone the wrong way. Well, let me just say off the bat Don Wray, that if I insulted you, I apologize. It’s funny that you choose to confront me on my posts in the thread where I’m actually pointing out good, interesting PADI specialties. Now in my defense,

Might make some wonder why, hide behind a moniker,

Hmmm, I think that if you look around here, I’d say that 99% of the people have a moniker. You never know if some psycho PADI instructor will take offense to something you’ve said and begins cyber stalking you. (That’s a joke ok, so don’t get too worked up)

but constantly lambasting an agency.

I’m not sure where you get the idea that I’m constantly lambasting an agency. If you’ve ever read my posts, I have always said that it’s not the agency, it’s the instructor. I have never said that you should avoid a certain agency for training. If someone were unjustifiable bashing PADI, I would defend PADI myself.

Put your credentials out there for all to see. What happened, failed a PADI course?

Yes, I admit I have forgotten to fill out my profile. It’s something that never really occurred to me. Honestly, it’s not something I really care about as I’m not into collecting cards and feel no need to justify myself. Saying my name is so and so and I’m a so and does not do anything to make my posts more legit. If something I post is objectionable or wrong, I’m sure that people will call me out and tell me I’m wrong, no matter what my credentials are. I have met people with just an OW card from the 70’s who have been diving for years who have more knowledge then most OWSI that I’ve met. Does their lack of advanced cert cards or specialties make their knowledge any less valuable? I think ego is a big component in diving. There always seem to be people who want to prove to others just how good and qualified they are. I think ego is what gets most people in trouble.

not his intention, and you know it.

You are correct, he knows exactly what his intentions where.

Really? I’m glad you can read my mind. Please tell me what my intentions were? I’m praising the specialty classes in this thread. Please feel free to point out to me in any of my posts where I have unfairly attacked PADI or any other organization for that matter. I have a feeling you are a little more sensitive to attacks against PADI. You should be commended for defending PADI as sometimes it does get a little more flack then it deserves. But then again, that will happen when you’re the biggest fish in town. But you need to know when to unleash the fury. Time and place for everything comes to mind.

Instructors write distinctive specialties and submit them for approval. Must be a market there. Take the time to read all of the agencies specialties. They are offered not required. If you don't want it, don't take it.

Yes, of course there’s no need to take most specialty classes. I have taken time to read the different agency specialties. It just so happens that the more “distinct” specialties I found happened to be from PADI. I’m not saying that PADI is the only agency with “distinct” specialties. I’m sure if I looked hard enough, I’ll find some “distinct” classes from other agencies, but so far I haven’t found any. Just remember, as distinct as these specialty classes are, PADI is ultimately responsible for approval and placing their reputation and stamp upon them.

While I see your concern regarding people bashing PADI because they are pointing out classes that are suspect, I would be more concerned about the people putting these classes out. These are the people who are ultimately harming the reputation of PADI, not the people pointing them out. If such were the case, journalists and comedians would be the biggest criminals around.

BTW, Surely, you can see the comedy in being a Master Vegan golfball diver.

[rumblefish]

not his intention, and you know it.

You are correct, he knows exactly what his intentions where.

Waaait a minute. Something just occurred to me. Did you think that I was bashing the classes in this thread? Did you think I was making fun of these classes because you yourself thought they were suspect? Now that would be interesting. I actually pointed out these classes because they sound legitimately interesting with some real solid skills to be learned. I feel these classes do provide a good way to add new dimensions to your diving enjoyment.