Help with Low Impact Diving Study Needed!

[SoggyBottoms]

bounced me straight out - doesn't accept multiple agency certification

but I guess this is the bsac forum

Correction : did let me in after a brief interlude.

I'm guessing that English is not a first language here; but don't know if that excuses the lack of impartiality

[FreeRoamingGypsy]

Thank you for your interest in my study.

English is my first language, and I am Canadian. There is a section in the diving history portion which allows divers to input mutiple certification agencies. The first question asked who you received your initial (entry-level) certification from.

I hope that addresses your concerns.

Originally Posted by SoggyBottoms

bounced me straight out - doesn't accept multiple agency certification

but I guess this is the bsac forum

Correction : did let me in after a brief interlude.

I'm guessing that English is not a first language here; but don't know if that excuses the lack of impartiality

[Tony Dwyer]

Oh dear. There was an obvious agenda to hand. The survey seemed to be seeking a predetermined conclusion.

Not good. I shan't play.

[MattS]

Reads like the background work for a CDNN article

Did not get off to a good start. The first question was a double negative then further down the page...

"Your agency does not supports marine conservation or the protection of our underwater heritage."
I wonder how many people answered true when they meant false?

Still on the first page...
"Many dive sites throughout the world are considered marine parks..."
I answered false as I could not find the option for 'Not enough'

It also looks like Advanced Diver is a lower qualification than Dive Leader!

But of course what really irritated me was...
"Average Annual Household Income (in USD)"
Doesn't xe.com work in Canada?

These surveys don't get any better do they.

[bythesea]

Originally Posted by FreeRoamingGypsy

I hope that addresses your concerns.

I think, maybe, not. Did you read peoples perceptions?

[ChristianG]

Originally Posted by FreeRoamingGypsy

I hope that addresses your concerns.

Yes - and no.

Like others I consider what I saw of your as survey significantly biased. Has it occurred to you that there may still be divers out there who were "qualified" at a time, and/or in a place, where no formal qualifications existed?

I am (today) "qualified" by the Federation of Australian Underwater Instructors (roughly the BSAC equivalent in Oz) which hasn't existed for at least a decade and the Australian Cave Divers Association, which still exists. I was first "qualified", that was a bit of a giggle really, by Mick Simmons Sports Store (doesn't exist today) in 1970 but I have been a diver since approximately '58. That means that for some 12 years I dived "unqualified".

So us poor old "unqualified" divers don't exist in your world?

[Nigel Hewitt]

I have a suspision the test is 'do we remember any of that stuff' rather than do we do it.

ie is it important to have it in the courses or is it a waste of time.

[northern_diver]

Originally Posted by ChristianG

Yes - and no.

Like others I consider what I saw of your as survey significantly biased. Has it occurred to you that there may still be divers out there who were "qualified" at a time, and/or in a place, where no formal qualifications existed?

I am (today) "qualified" by the Federation of Australian Underwater Instructors (roughly the BSAC equivalent in Oz) which hasn't existed for at least a decade and the Australian Cave Divers Association, which still exists. I was first "qualified", that was a bit of a giggle really, by Mick Simmons Sports Store (doesn't exist today) in 1970 but I have been a diver since approximately '58. That means that for some 12 years I dived "unqualified".

So us poor old "unqualified" divers don't exist in your world?

Thats all well and good, some people dont get qualified to dive at all and some only later in the diving career. However these people are i hope a increasing small number.

The study, flawed and naff as it is, is about the Curricula of a course, no agency, no course, no curricula...simple.

So, no, for the purpose of the study, i suppose they dont want to know. You could just fall back on the 1st course you did and comments inrelation to that agency...the might want a proof reader too?

I would be interested to know about the numbers and incident rate of the uncertified divers...mainly in the early days as assumingly if they are alive, they most be fairly ok.

John

[FreeRoamingGypsy]

Thank you for all of your comments.

The survey underwent an extensive pilot (test run) before it was launched. A main objective is to determine the effectiveness of the ways environmental messages are communicated to divers. As such the phrasing of these questions are taken out of the certification manuals of the three certifying bodies being studied.

Only three agencies (BSAC, PADI and SSI) were selected in order to make the study fisable under the time contraints of my Masters degree.

There is a question addressing addition certifications beyond entry-level novice certification, where you are able to list additional certifications achieved. However, if your initial, first, entry-level certification not through either BSAC, PADI or SSI, you do not meet the survey criteria.

This survey was created with input from all certifying bodies as well as with the advise and support of my thesis advisor committee.

A singular currency was selected in order to ensure that figures report were assigned a currency value. This is an optional question, and respondents are able to leave the question blank if they choose.

Thank you again for your questions and support.

Best regards,

Kelsey