Scare Tactics

[DarinMartell]

I am looking at doing my AOW and I don't have a LDS that I work with more than others so I e-mailed a bunch of them. I gave them my experience, my wish to stress deep dives, and told them that I was contacting a bunch of shops. I also told them while not the deciding factor, price is an issue. I got a few responses that where well thought out. I got a few that I can tell they didn't even read my e-mail, just sent back a stock answer. And I got one back that said before he could answer he needed to know what agency I have my OW through. I thought this was strange but I e-mailed him back and said I was trained through PADI but was open to other agencies. I recieved a reply back with 4 attachments totaling 32 pages of content including 12 pages trying to sell me on why he is more expensive but worth it. That didn't bother me, that is the same thing that I do in sales. What did bother me was in all of those 32 pages he did not break down the cost. And that he felt he had to put down PADI to build himself up.

I know there is a ongoing debate about the merits of PADI, but to shoot them down in your promotional material in my opinion is really tacky. It looks like scare tactics plain and simple. Below are some exerts:

For PADI certified divers I offer a workshop to bring people up to a NAUI OW diver and there is a smaller workshop for NAUI certified divers to become a CMAS 1 Star diver.

How many dives will you be doing under direct supervision of an instructor? How many hours is the course - look at what astronauts go through, what’s the difference between inner space and outer space. Both places require that you bring your air and special skills. No matter how fit you may be, do you what to learn this all in one weekend?

Will you be taught how to evaluate all the equipment both necessary and optional which can further inform you as a consumer on what is right for you and not what’s on sale so cheap that you will buy it. Later, only to find out you wasted your money. This should also include how to take care of it (PADI offers this as a specialty course - $75 -$100 extra). I have observed with other NAUI, YMCA, and SSI instructors, people who are basic, advanced and master certified who cannot assemble their SCUBA equipment in order to dive.

Based upon the information you gather ask yourself this question. Would my loved one and I feel confident in taking and completing this course? The ultimate question I as an instructor will ask of the student I am training is- “Would I allow this person to dive with my loved one”? There cannot be any doubt. NAUI’s Motto is “Safety Through Education”. We are one of the oldest and only democratic certifying agency in the World. Our focus is on Diving Education. I will admit that PADI certifies the most students (short courses). However, the question I raise is, “If they are so successful in training people, why are they also in the business of selling diver medical insurance?” I’m confused. What does that say about their training mission (focus)?

Attached is copy of the NAUI standards so that you can really go out and compare? As you shop around, ask the other dive shop / instructor for a copy of their standards (you may find that obtaining a copy will be difficult). Place them together and compare them yourself (do this alone or with your significant other without commercial input from anyone). I have shown other instructors these standards and the remark has often been “ We didn’t do any of this in our courses” (For their level of expertise, scary when you think about this. They’re going teach you how to dive?).

[setesh]

I don't like the tone of that at all. Maybe that works on some people, but it certainly doesn't make me want to train with them. The way I see it if you are really that good you should be able to rest on your own laurels / reputation. You shouldn't have to resort to mud slinging to get customers. IMO, if you are willing to compromise your integrity in one area (i.e. mudslinging) you'll likely do the same in other areas as well, and that's just bad news.

[JCAT]

I started out SDI/TDI as OW and then crossed over to PADI.

Allow me to say that it is not about any Agency, but rather WHO the instructor is.

A bad instructor is a bad instructor is a bad instructor. Does not matter if they dived with Jacques Cousteau himself.

Forget the Agency wars, find someone you can learn from.

cheers

[MSilvia]

In that comprehensive training is desirable, he makes good points. Unfortunately for him, he makes them badly. I find his tone off-putting.

[JahJahwarrior]

The whole "If PADI trains people, why do they also sell insurance?" bit is a logical fallacy, and I would not do business with a man who has to use such poor arguments to support his company.

Fact is, stuff happens, and every diver no matter who they are trained by, should carry dive insurance. You might ask him about his liability insurance. I'll bet he has some. If he runs a professional shop and trains to such high standards, why does he need liability insurance? That ought to shut him up.

[MxDiver]

Originally Posted by JCAT

I started out SDI/TDI as OW and then crossed over to PADI.
Allow me to say that it is not about any Agency, but rather WHO the instructor is.
A bad instructor is a bad instructor is a bad instructor. Does not matter if they dived with Jacques Cousteau himself.
Forget the Agency wars, find someone you can learn from.
cheers

+1, DarinMartell, if you look at the quote on your post you will see the guy is saying he has seen people unqualified from every agency, including NAUI

I have observed with other NAUI, YMCA, and SSI instructors, people who are basic, advanced and master certified who cannot assemble their SCUBA equipment in order to dive.

Get an istructor you trust and can learn from.

[in_cavediver]

I understand where he is coming from but I can tell you, the message is good, the tone and means of getting it across are bad.

The points he brings up are valid and should be considered, even if you think he is too much of a pompous you know what. He is trying to show you value on why his class, while costing more, is a better choice. In the end, I doubt that strategy will work out for him though.

[scubastud]

jahjahwarrior that got my attention too... what does selling dive insurance have to do with anything..

[chilly willy]

Originally Posted by JCAT

I started out SDI/TDI as OW and then crossed over to PADI.

Allow me to say that it is not about any Agency, but rather WHO the instructor is.

A bad instructor is a bad instructor is a bad instructor. Does not matter if they dived with Jacques Cousteau himself.

Forget the Agency wars, find someone you can learn from.

cheers

JCAT has this one absolutely right, find someone knowledgeable and someone you are comfortable with and the rest is easy.

[CPTOZZY]

Yeah the guy rambles (like I do), but I think his point about looking at the agency's training standards is valid. With any agency you may get a great instructor, or you may get a lousy instructor, and/or a good instructor whose style just doesn't quite "fit" with they way you learn. This good, Bad, or 'Okay' Instructor will (should) ensure that you meet that agency's standards. So all things being equel, if you feel the agency's standards for certification meet yours then it will be a good fit.
Once you have found an Agency that you want to be certified by you need to find the Instructor in that agency that you want to train you.