Any BSAC & PADI Instructors out there?

Can anybody remember seeing a paragraph in one of the PADI
updates or quarterly reviews about the acceptance of BSAC
grades by PADI.

I can remember reading it, but I cant find it anywhere.

Its not that detailed, just lists a number of "approved"
agencies and BSAC is amongst them.

Any ideas?

TerryH

He also said that even if you are a BSAC adv instructor (I am not) where you are entitled to enter the PADI sytem slighty higher up, you are very unlikely to pass the PADI instructor exam (which costs ?300 a shot) without starting from the beginning.

That's the advice that I have been given (as that's what I'm planning to do) from 2 independant sources.

T

I raised this point with one of the instrcutor trainers at Capernwray, he basically said that PADI do not accept other agencies qualifications "period". He also said that even if you are a BSAC adv instructor (I am not) where you are entitled to enter the PADI sytem slighty higher up, you are very unlikely to pass the PADI instructor exam (which costs ?300 a shot) without starting from the beginning.

HTH

Paul

:=Can anybody remember seeing a paragraph in one of the PADI
:=updates or quarterly reviews about the acceptance of BSAC
:=grades by PADI.
:=
:=I can remember reading it, but I cant find it anywhere.
:=
:=Its not that detailed, just lists a number of "approved"
:=agencies and BSAC is amongst them.
:=
:=Any ideas?
:=
:=TerryH
:=
:=
:=
:=

Hi TerryH

Why would a BSAC instructor want to become a PADI Instructor?

:=I raised this point with one of the instrcutor trainers at Capernwray, he basically said that PADI do not accept other agencies qualifications "period". He also said that even if you are a BSAC adv instructor (I am not) where you are entitled to enter the PADI sytem slighty higher up, you are very unlikely to pass the PADI instructor exam (which costs ?300 a shot) without starting from the beginning.
:=
:=HTH
:=
:=Paul
:=
:=:=Can anybody remember seeing a paragraph in one of the PADI
:=:=updates or quarterly reviews about the acceptance of BSAC
:=:=grades by PADI.
:=:=
:=:=I can remember reading it, but I cant find it anywhere.
:=:=
:=:=Its not that detailed, just lists a number of "approved"
:=:=agencies and BSAC is amongst them.
:=:=
:=:=Any ideas?
:=:=
:=:=TerryH
:=:=
:=:=
:=:=
:=:=


Hi TerryH

Why would a BSAC instructor want to become a PADI Instructor?

I've reread Terry's post a few times now and can not for the life of me see were he states he's talking about instructor qualifications.

He also mentioned recently about diving qualification equivalencies and that he is already a PADI instructor so my guess is he's talking about diving rather than instructing grades

Pete

Gordon,

You asked -

Why would a BSAC instructor want to become a PADI Instructor?

It was put to me very eloquently, if in somewhat basic Anglo Saxon, that it is much easier to tolerate the behaviours and ingratitude of trainees after one has relieved them of a considerable sum of money. This from one of the most laid-back, friendly, helpful and generally supportive BSAC members I have ever met.

Hope this helps (HTH),

Mike

Why would a BSAC instructor want to become a PADI Instructor?

If said BSAC instructor wanted to teach in some tropical paradise, where the majority of the centres will be PADI

For example
John

I raised this point with one of the instrcutor trainers at Capernwray, he basically said that PADI do not accept other agencies qualifications "period". He also said that even if you are a BSAC adv instructor (I am not) where you are entitled to enter the PADI sytem slighty higher up, you are very unlikely to pass the PADI instructor exam (which costs ?300 a shot) without starting from the beginning.

I entered the PADI scheme as BSAC Dive Leader and was a candidate for 'Rescue Diver' (May 91). I went on to become a Dive Master (Aug 92) while working to get BSAC Advanced Diver (Sept 93). I then became a BSAC Club Instructor in Oct 95 and a PADI OWSI in Nov 95. The PADI course was bloody hard work, as was the exam. MUCH tougher than the BSAC Club Instructor exam.

Along the way I gained an understanding of both training schemes. I learned that a diver is a diver. (obvious init!)

I have little or no tolerance for the snobbery and antipathy towards commercially based training that I occasionally come across. I encountered a little recently during a visit to another BSAC club. I challenged the offender and asked him if he knew anything about the PADI training programme at all. It appears he did not. He was also somewhat limited in his actual diving experience.

I have come to understand that it is possible for the training from both schemes to be limited, depending on the individual diver and the quality of the training delivered, which is by no means consistent throughout BSAC.

These days I am more active in BSAC than PADI. I happen to like the club system.

BSAC is keen for us to encourage divers trained by other organisations to join us. Having a full understanding of the training they will have gone through, must help.

regards

Tony

I raised this point with one of the instrcutor trainers at Capernwray, he basically said that PADI do not accept other agencies qualifications "period". He also said that even if you are a BSAC adv instructor (I am not) where you are entitled to enter the PADI sytem slighty higher up, you are very unlikely to pass the PADI instructor exam (which costs ?300 a shot) without starting from the beginning.

I ask a question, go away for a few days and look what happens!

Firstly Paul, your Instructor friend is talking out of his
proverbial butt! A diver ticket from almost any agency
(including BSAC) will (via a crossover table) allow you to take
the next higher PADI course.

As one of slickest marketing outfits in diving , do you really
think PADI would turn them away?

As for your second point a little history ....

A few years ago PADI had a problem with too many Divemasters
with few dives and even less hands on training experience. They
would turn up at IDC's (Instructor Development Course) thinking
that it would be the same as the Rescue and DM courses and
failing the IE (that ?300 exam your talking about). It was
plainly obvious that these DM's were NOT up to the grade.

So never being slow to push a marketing opportunity, PADI comes
up with the Assistant Instructor Course. The idea being that
it cuts the gap between DM & OWSI and maybe gives them a bit
more experience. Those doing internships were always better
than badge collectors, simply because they had more actual
contact with clients and therefore more in water training.

So ask yourself this question. Who actually gets to teach more
students then most PADI Divemasters? Trick question really,
because DM's arent allowed to teach, but guess what?

BSAC Assistant Instructors can. BSAC Club Instructors can.
BSAC Open Water Instructors can. BSAC Advanced Instructors can.
In fact by the time a BSAC diver gets to Advanced Instuctor he
would in a relitivly busy club have trained a shedload of
students in everything from lectures, pool and open water and
even SDC's. Such as Boat Handling, Nitrox, O2 etc.

Yet apparently your DM with NO actual teaching experience is
better prepared for the exam than a BSAC Adv.Inst!!!!!!

The one single thing that a BSAC AI needs to do is learn the
PADI standards, but hey Paul its an open book exam (you can
look at the textbook), so its no worse then cramming for any
other exam.

Bottom line (and weaknesses).
BSAC guys need to learn PADI standards.
PADI guys need to practice more with students.

Who do you think makes the best Instructors?

TerryH
Both BSAC & PADI