PSA Professional Scuba Association

rogeringebo · 19th September 2005, 15:43

Anyone know anything about this organisation and have any comments on their courses?

/Rodge

dive2dive2000 · 19th September 2005, 16:09

Except for CCR all of my adv OC cources are PSA. Hal Watts is an Icon in the US. Before there were any agencies let alone safety guide lines Hal Watts was implementing and teaching safety procedures. They are far from a main stream agency, Thier instructors are held to a very high standered and there gas management protocall is INMHO one of the best and simpilist to learn. IN the US they have a sink hole that has a depth of 240' IT is dark, deep, and can be cold at depth, so makes for perfect training. You know you will never miss a dive do to weather or sea conditions. If you are coming to the US to do your training I recommend Dan Patterson. If I can be of any more help feel free to pm me.

Martin

CCR-Wrecker · 19th September 2005, 17:29

The people running PSA include: Hal Watts (Mr. Scuba), Joe Odom (formerly of TDI, wrote several of their training manuals), Dave Crockford (formerly of TDI, wrote the Inspiration training manual) and Dan Patterson (training director). Their reputations speak for themselves. I took : Deep air, advanced Nitrox,Techtrox,Basic-Advanced Trimix and Cave either trough PSA or with an instructor from Hals' Grotto. I highly recommend them!
My $.02
Andy

**rigdiver** · 19th September 2005, 18:02

Quote: (Originally Posted by rogeringebo)

Anyone know anything about this organisation and have any comments on their courses?

/Rodge

Rodge;
I've been around Hal and Joe. Only good things to say about both of them. Hal was tech before the word was thought of. Hal is a people person through and through. Nice guy with tons of experience and a great way of getting it across. Dittos for Joe. Joe got more than his share from the maker. He is a highly intelligent person. I was teaching a Deep Air/Advanced EANx class while Joe was teaching several Japanese M.D.'s/phD's a trimix class. Only one spoke English. He was understanding and took his time to be sure they understood. The group was too big for him to take all, so he was doing two dives to their one. I had the privelege of conversing with him about many topics over the week. Joe was TDI then, and not a condescending tone or word all week.
Hal did a 400' cave recovery with He base mix in the late 60's. That speaks volumes in and of itself.
Bill Childers NAUI 5709L C.D./IANTD 1982

Mdemon · 19th September 2005, 20:47

Rodge,

A lot of the good TDI Instructors in the UK have gone PSA (or PSAI as I think they're known here?). I met a fellow Scandinavian being taught by Andy Hayhurst (PSAI) of Dales Divers in Scapa - I think it was cheaper for him to get on the ferry and do the course over here. If that floats your boat, try Andy at www.dalesdivers.co.uk. He's also TDI, IANTD etc etc so you get the best of everything...

rogeringebo · 19th September 2005, 21:23

Cheers for all the info!
Here in Sweden GUE and the DIR ideas rule and there are little understanding for deep air diving....
I am not a typical swedish diver and have done some TDI training in Thailand,Adv nitrox and Deco procedures...I am thinking about going back to do some PSA rebreather courses,KISS normoxic trimix and the Pelagian DCCCR course...aiming to teach tech in the future and try to get an idea what organisation to go with.....PSA,seems to have a good reputation and I love to hear more views on the subject
/Rodge

Philippe GERIN · 19th September 2005, 21:45

Quote: (Originally Posted by rogeringebo)

I am thinking about going back to do some PSA rebreather courses,KISS normoxic trimix and the Pelagian DCCCR course...

Rodge, let us know your experience about the Pelagian CCR when you're back. I'm very curious about this little gizmo.
Best
Philippe

dantheman · 19th September 2005, 23:04

Quote: (Originally Posted by rogeringebo)

Cheers for all the info!
Here in Sweden GUE and the DIR ideas rule ....

What a shame!

A bit off-topic: what ever happened to the BSTD folks?
Their website hasn't worked in a while...

dive2dive2000 · 19th September 2005, 23:28

The basis of a PSA deep air course is NOT TO GO DEEP AIR DIVING, it is to teach you deep water technical skills and the dangerous and deadly efects of narcosis, but because of ignorance and competition people will

when they really have no clue on what they are taking about. Do not let the name of the class miss inform you, it has been some of the best training that I have taken. I follow a lot of Naui and GUE protocall for deco profiles, and what gas what depth ect. When it comes to skills, post & pre dive protocall, and gas management PSA

I dive with He any time deeper than 110' I very really cave dive, once or twice a yr( and could live with out it if had too). Yet I have taken all 6 levels of Deep air and I am Cave certified. I always recomend Cave courses no matter what kind of diver you are and I always recommend PSA Deep diver courses. Please do not take my word or anyone else give Hal Watts a call, I promise you even if you do not sign up it will be the most interesting phone call

Quote: (Originally Posted by rogeringebo)

Cheers for all the info!
Here in Sweden GUE and the DIR ideas rule and there are little understanding for deep air diving....
I am not a typical swedish diver and have done some TDI training in Thailand,Adv nitrox and Deco procedures...I am thinking about going back to do some PSA rebreather courses,KISS normoxic trimix and the Pelagian DCCCR course...aiming to teach tech in the future and try to get an idea what organisation to go with.....PSA,seems to have a good reputation and I love to hear more views on the subject
/Rodge

shell-back · 20th September 2005, 01:18

I recall Joe O making a comment to the wit of DIL opposed DIR at the TEC conference in 2003 which would clearly state what you get from a PSA course.

If you are wondering "DONE IT LONGER"

The staff at PSA is loaded with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

SEE YA AT DEMA

19th September 2005, 15:43	#1 (permalink)
rogeringebo Life starts at 100 Current Rebreather/s: Pelagian Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Pelagian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockholm Sweden Posts: 739	PSA Professional Scuba Association Anyone know anything about this organisation and have any comments on their courses? /Rodge
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19th September 2005, 16:09	#2 (permalink)
dive2dive2000 PRISM DIVER & LUVIN IT! Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 796	Except for CCR all of my adv OC cources are PSA. Hal Watts is an Icon in the US. Before there were any agencies let alone safety guide lines Hal Watts was implementing and teaching safety procedures. They are far from a main stream agency, Thier instructors are held to a very high standered and there gas management protocall is INMHO one of the best and simpilist to learn. IN the US they have a sink hole that has a depth of 240' IT is dark, deep, and can be cold at depth, so makes for perfect training. You know you will never miss a dive do to weather or sea conditions. If you are coming to the US to do your training I recommend Dan Patterson. If I can be of any more help feel free to pm me. Martin __________________ Safe Diving, Martin
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19th September 2005, 17:29	#3 (permalink)
CCR-Wrecker aka NY-Andy Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New York Posts: 228	The people running PSA include: Hal Watts (Mr. Scuba), Joe Odom (formerly of TDI, wrote several of their training manuals), Dave Crockford (formerly of TDI, wrote the Inspiration training manual) and Dan Patterson (training director). Their reputations speak for themselves. I took : Deep air, advanced Nitrox,Techtrox,Basic-Advanced Trimix and Cave either trough PSA or with an instructor from Hals' Grotto. I highly recommend them! My $.02 Andy
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19th September 2005, 18:02	#4 (permalink)
rigdiver LEARNING CONTINUALLY Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TEXAS Posts: 427	Quote: (Originally Posted by rogeringebo) Anyone know anything about this organisation and have any comments on their courses? /Rodge Rodge; I've been around Hal and Joe. Only good things to say about both of them. Hal was tech before the word was thought of. Hal is a people person through and through. Nice guy with tons of experience and a great way of getting it across. Dittos for Joe. Joe got more than his share from the maker. He is a highly intelligent person. I was teaching a Deep Air/Advanced EANx class while Joe was teaching several Japanese M.D.'s/phD's a trimix class. Only one spoke English. He was understanding and took his time to be sure they understood. The group was too big for him to take all, so he was doing two dives to their one. I had the privelege of conversing with him about many topics over the week. Joe was TDI then, and not a condescending tone or word all week. Hal did a 400' cave recovery with He base mix in the late 60's. That speaks volumes in and of itself. Bill Childers NAUI 5709L C.D./IANTD 1982
(Offline)

19th September 2005, 20:47	#5 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,946	Rodge, A lot of the good TDI Instructors in the UK have gone PSA (or PSAI as I think they're known here?). I met a fellow Scandinavian being taught by Andy Hayhurst (PSAI) of Dales Divers in Scapa - I think it was cheaper for him to get on the ferry and do the course over here. If that floats your boat, try Andy at www.dalesdivers.co.uk. He's also TDI, IANTD etc etc so you get the best of everything... __________________ www.southwestmafia.com "small minds talk about people, Average Minds Talk About Events, GREAT MINDS TALK ABOUT IDEAS!" The WRONG Attitude will get you killed. "Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"
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19th September 2005, 21:23	#6 (permalink)
rogeringebo Life starts at 100 Current Rebreather/s: Pelagian Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Pelagian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockholm Sweden Posts: 739	Cheers for all the info! Here in Sweden GUE and the DIR ideas rule and there are little understanding for deep air diving.... I am not a typical swedish diver and have done some TDI training in Thailand,Adv nitrox and Deco procedures...I am thinking about going back to do some PSA rebreather courses,KISS normoxic trimix and the Pelagian DCCCR course...aiming to teach tech in the future and try to get an idea what organisation to go with.....PSA,seems to have a good reputation and I love to hear more views on the subject /Rodge
(Offline)

19th September 2005, 21:45	#7 (permalink)
Philippe GERIN ccr apprentice Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Strasbourg, France Posts: 647	Quote: (Originally Posted by rogeringebo) I am thinking about going back to do some PSA rebreather courses,KISS normoxic trimix and the Pelagian DCCCR course... Rodge, let us know your experience about the Pelagian CCR when you're back. I'm very curious about this little gizmo. Best Philippe
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19th September 2005, 23:04	#8 (permalink)
dantheman Emoticonoclast Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss rEvo Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Join Date: May 2005 Location: NorthEast USA Posts: 397	Quote: (Originally Posted by rogeringebo) Cheers for all the info! Here in Sweden GUE and the DIR ideas rule .... What a shame! A bit off-topic: what ever happened to the BSTD folks? Their website hasn't worked in a while...
(Offline)

19th September 2005, 23:28	#9 (permalink)
dive2dive2000 PRISM DIVER & LUVIN IT! Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 796	The basis of a PSA deep air course is NOT TO GO DEEP AIR DIVING, it is to teach you deep water technical skills and the dangerous and deadly efects of narcosis, but because of ignorance and competition people will when they really have no clue on what they are taking about. Do not let the name of the class miss inform you, it has been some of the best training that I have taken. I follow a lot of Naui and GUE protocall for deco profiles, and what gas what depth ect. When it comes to skills, post & pre dive protocall, and gas management PSAI dive with He any time deeper than 110' I very really cave dive, once or twice a yr( and could live with out it if had too). Yet I have taken all 6 levels of Deep air and I am Cave certified. I always recomend Cave courses no matter what kind of diver you are and I always recommend PSA Deep diver courses. Please do not take my word or anyone else give Hal Watts a call, I promise you even if you do not sign up it will be the most interesting phone call Quote: (Originally Posted by rogeringebo) Cheers for all the info! Here in Sweden GUE and the DIR ideas rule and there are little understanding for deep air diving.... I am not a typical swedish diver and have done some TDI training in Thailand,Adv nitrox and Deco procedures...I am thinking about going back to do some PSA rebreather courses,KISS normoxic trimix and the Pelagian DCCCR course...aiming to teach tech in the future and try to get an idea what organisation to go with.....PSA,seems to have a good reputation and I love to hear more views on the subject /Rodge __________________ Safe Diving, Martin
(Offline)

20th September 2005, 01:18	#10 (permalink)
shell-back I do all my own stunts Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Ray Azimuth Other SCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Ray Azimuth Other SCR Home Build Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: middle of US Posts: 475	I recall Joe O making a comment to the wit of DIL opposed DIR at the TEC conference in 2003 which would clearly state what you get from a PSA course. If you are wondering "DONE IT LONGER" The staff at PSA is loaded with a wealth of knowledge and experience. SEE YA AT DEMA
(Offline)

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