mempilot

I agree with the points made.

Might I make this comment:

Are the training agencies tough enough? Are they desperate enough to be lax on standards? With the growth of the Rebreather market there is obviously a race to outfit instructors. Seems a newly vinted Rebreather diver can go to newly vinted Rebreather instructor quite quickly. Does this lack of experience do the trainee a disservice?

I selected my instructor not based on money. She ain't cheap.

I selected my instructor not on location. I had to travel to her.

I selected my instructor not on the unit certified on. She is cert'd on most.

I selected my instructor not on agency. She is qualified to teach them all.

I selected my instructor on her experience and reputation. She has ass loads of both.

I got what I paid for: Someone with loads to pass on and someone that would take the check and then say no if I didn't cut the grade.

The problem. Not everyone is willing to travel to the most expensive instructor who might say no, so they cut corners on this very important part of owning a Rebreather.

Are the agencies part of the problem. I believe so. They want to make it easier to get more and more trainees certified. The number of Rebreather instructors available seems to multiply by the day, and many of them haven't got more than little experience on their unit, let alone RB's in general.

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Eric Stadtmueller, otherwise known as, MEM "Da Pilot"