Should Dive Certifications be a "license"

[Papa Bear]

You know, I DO love this stuff...
Maybe I'll look back into teaching again, part time...
I'd probably have to mellow out a bit, first...

Be careful that's how it starts! Pretty soon you will be spending all your lunch money on Dive crap and those ****ty trips!

[Papa Bear]

Now that's funny! crappy okay ****ty not? LOL LMAO!!!

[phrenicnerve]

First I was Invited here! I am not NEW at anything, but if people can't take the truth and feel set upon then they will get defensive because they have a weak position! A lot of Handicapped divers will be said to hear they can't dive anymore! My god I have seen dogs dive! I don't ever remember saying anything about taking people on MY boat or Democrats and Republicans? But is you want to bring in politics fine! The mind set is the same! "We only want to help you!" Not sure where the **** comes from? You need to make the distinction between a personal attack and attack on your ideas! I never said anything about you except that you were "Sounding Elitist" and you do sound that way to me! I am now not entitled to my opinion?

AS far as holding back never have never will! I am what I am take it or leave it! As far as knowing anything about anyone, I can only judge your ideas that you express here. As far as the Activity and the Industry I am the strongest supporter. I support anything that gets MORE people underwater! SCUBA or Sub people need to go and understand, that is our future of understanding, we don't need only special forces going into the "Mysterious Deep"!

One last thing you "can" strap a tank on "anybody" who is willing to learn and go! wow it is that simple! I don't recall describing you in anyway.

One last thing: You seem to think you know me with the political reference and I am dam prod of it! God Bless the USA! BTW it just got un-boring! LOL

that's exactly the point papa bear - the question presented demands an OPINION as an answer. So I presented an opinion. The irony here is that I am about as far away from supporting anything government as one could get, but I can't say I trust many people more than I do a politician. I have been receiving your bulletins about "dumbocrats" on myspace for how long now? Almost daily your political position is spat out in a bulletin. This is why I already know your position on this subject and the personal insults are rediculous. I was a big fan of your site, but these insults lead me to realize you are someone other than what I thought.

What I took from the opinions that were stated here on this subject is that physical fitness seems to be a problem. As well as a reliable skill set. The other side of the issue is should these divers be set free to possibly kill themselves? I say no, but if you want to take them out, enjoy. I would trust you'd know what to do with them to keep things safe and hopefully fun.

When you bring up hadicap people and such wanting to go diving, I have no problems with this, and didn't know that this is possible. In fact I think that is beautiful. I survived cancer last year, and I did my AOW certification one month after radiation. My class was required to complete 5 laps in the pool. I was still drained from radiation but I worked hard and managed. If the 5 laps are not required for a PADI certification, I guess my mentors are pushing a higher standard because we had to do it.

If saying to me that I suck isn't a personal attack I don't know what else is! You didn't care to say the idea sucks, you directed it to me personally and I guess I need to split this forum because I don't want any of this.

[Tigerbeach]

If you accept split-fins you should accept anything!

Hmmm. Split fins or Papa Bear; split fins or Papa Bear.....???


I'll take a lively debate any day over fins-lite!

[Papa Bear]

I suck air every dive? Oh well don't let the split fin hit you were your momma split you! ???? BTW I am a two time cancer survivor!! Not sure what that has to do with the activity except proving that any one can do it! Even me! You don't have to open the bulletins, did you know that? So the only one entitled to opinions is you? Okay and I am sure that it is a fine one in your mind, the problem is when you sake it out in the real world it doesn't fly! Believe it or not there are people in this country that are driving cars without a license and the same goes for SCUBA. That how the system we have came to be, you control the air you control the diver to a point, but if someone to bad enough they will. I have a family friend that dived for years without a cert, but to go with me he was forced to go get legal! Your statement that Diving is a privilege scars the crap out of me! That is exactly what the Dumocrats want is more people who think as you do. Know your friends, but know your enemies better! In this country the constitution is a limiting document for the government not us! We are the people! So if must go, go and we shall never speak your name again;(

[Papa Bear]

TB, what are you still doing here? I figured you already have a class of Polliwogs making them into real divers

[Tigerbeach]

TB, what are you still doing here? I figured you already have a class of Polliwogs making them into real divers

Shhhh! I'm giving them a swim test.

They'll tread water next...

[phrenicnerve]

You know what, it has become clear that you are not paying any attention to what I am saying, so this hardly is a two way debate. Your not commanding any respect from me because you are not willing to give it. Your not sure what anything I have said means because you don't care to see past your own arrogance papa. your calling me an elitist? I said privilege because diving is dangerous. So is driving. It is not swimming, surfing, or body boarding where some people who are comfortable there, are not so comfortable underwater diving. For those who want to do whatever they want without a license I believe I said already that this will always exist.

One of the big complaints here was vacation divers that are out of shape, forgotten how to prepare their gear, and end up drowning because things didn't go as easy as they had hoped. This leaves the DM or resort or dive shop open to a question of responsibility as to "did they put the divers safety first" or were they quick to take the money and leave it at that. If you want to endorse this practice, go ahead. It's none of my business and I don't want it to be. Have at it!

Otherwise I believe that people have the right to enjoy the water however they wish. And hopefully they do it often and gain a respect for the water. Hopefully they are not trashing the fragile environment at the same time while wrecklessly going about their business.

[Papa Bear]

You have kinda changed your "tune" sense the first chord! I said you were being Elitist! And I stand behind what I said. SCUBA is very safe once you understand the process. Most people aren't afraid of breathing underwater, their afraid of sharks! 70% of first timers don't continue to dive! More training isn't why, if they like it and want more they seek more training! The idea is to allow as many as want to, to have the experience. The Idea that you keep floating that "This is a Dangerous Sport" is just hogwash! It can be, but anyone can do it!

Why do you keep making this about me? Do you feel that insecure that you have to attack a 56 year old diver? Who in over 4000 dives has had a "few" close calls, mostly when I was young and bold, but still loves the Ocean and feels as safe in it as most people home mowing their lawn! Oh ya there is risk in that as well!

You are right about one thing I don't get YOU!

[acelockco]

[QUOTE=Papa Bear;6465] Most people aren't afraid of breathing underwater, their afraid of sharks! 70% of first timers don't continue to dive!

Why do you keep making this about me? Do you feel that insecure that you have to attack a 56 year old diver? Who in over 4000 dives ....QUOTE]


Where did you come up with this? You are WRONG! Most people ARE afraid to breathe underwater. It is against instinct and can be a problem for many people just starting out. Most people are afraid of sharks, but not as afraid as they are of not breathing!!!! Think about it.

Now aboutyour 4000+ dives and such, it maybe true, or it may be something you made up as no one has anyway to prove or disprove that. If it is true however, I think we found the problem. In your 56 years, I bet you learned a lot, but I think you have forgot a lot as well! You seem to think and you definately act like you are better than others here.

It must be that you are getting so old, because you are acting like the mean old man yelling at all of the kids in the neighborhood. All the while the kids are getting a kick out of taunting the old man.

You would think as a newbie (maybe you have a billion dives and 1000+ C-cards in every subject including jacking off) but you are a newbie HERE, you should have a little respect for the other users. All you are doing is showing how much of an A55hole you really are.

You said take it or leave it in another post, really I would perfer to leave it. Considering I have been here a lot longer than you, please don't let the door hit you in the A55 on your way out.