Eagles Nest to Repeat?

[Sludge]

I will not take students less than 12 for a multitude of reasons,foremost the lack of understanding of the reality of death or serious injury that may result from not following the rules(this is not a video game where you hit reset).

My shop owner, who has been teaching for over forty years, agrees with you 10,000 percent.

[plapin]

gsxr1997,

"As far as my comment - I do not have to accept any student I feel is not capable of diving safely. NAUI may have set minimum standards 10 but ,unlike other agencies,I make the final determination"

........


as far as the standards I 100% agree with you, its up to the instructor to further evaluate all students regardless if they meet all the criteria. to include metal state. but I think that this is pre judging like saying I wont teach somebody because of there race. why not have an open mind and meet with the parents of an 10-11 year old child?
the way I see it you mite better educate the parents so they can make a more informed decision rather than run down the road to another shop, if that child is truly not ready.
as an instructor your job is to educate new divers. so by showing your knowledge you mite have a chance to win the business of the parents and maybe the kid at a later date. there for creating a win win situation.

[T. Bix]

C'mon Russell..... you know it's killing you!!!

[SLIM]

Umm I was 8 when I got my first cert and 12 when I got my ADV, but back then it was differant. My OW would be considereed todays ADV class. Each person is a case bye case basis.

SLIM

[snakedoc]

C'mon Russell..... you know it's killing you!!!

I know it's killing me! However, my metal state is becoming increasingly rusty.

[gsxr1997]

gsxr1997,

"As far as my comment - I do not have to accept any student I feel is not capable of diving safely. NAUI may have set minimum standards 10 but ,unlike other agencies,I make the final determination"

........


as far as the standards I 100% agree with you, its up to the instructor to further evaluate all students regardless if they meet all the criteria. to include metal state. but I think that this is pre judging like saying I wont teach somebody because of there race. why not have an open mind and meet with the parents of an 10-11 year old child?
the way I see it you mite better educate the parents so they can make a more informed decision rather than run down the road to another shop, if that child is truly not ready.
as an instructor your job is to educate new divers. so by showing your knowledge you mite have a chance to win the business of the parents and maybe the kid at a later date. there for creating a win win situation.

plapin - I see now how this conversation has been redirected at me and my teaching ethics- thats ok, I have broad shoulders
I will expand on what I have previously stated. I DO counsel the parents. citing bone development, lung development, and overall fitness to dive both physical and psychological. I also impress upon the parents that there may be a junior open water certification card,but the requirements to earn that card are no different than that of a standard open water certification. academic and water skills are not reduced.
If they still persist in obtaining instruction, I refer them to other NAUI instructors who will accept 10-11 year olds.
as I said in my initial post "I personallywill not not train any student less than 12 years of age"
As a free American,within the guidelines of my certifying agency and the law,I will exercise my right to make the choices as to who, what ,when ,and where I train students and will not apologize to anyone for my decision.

anything else you would like to know?

[mdax]

10 year olds make great cavern divers, dad will do great things with the doppler system and everyone should chastise themselves for questioning his judgement. Clearly he has everything under control and folks online are just mean bullies.

I was personally won over by the deep insights, calm demeanor and rigid logic in his response.

I apologize to everyone; especially skip, for being a man, apparently white and having testosterone. I forgot about the guilt I should feel for things I have no control over.

[gsxr1997]

And of course I understand the need to derail this thread given the personal connection you have with the subject in question...
PLAPIN....
http://uscavedivingteam.com/?page_id=82

[jj1987]

From what I've been told, the subjects in question have decided the thread should be removed, and are seeking out an attorney. I guess see something say something can land you in court :-o

[Tegg]

It would be interesting to get this event to be documented in a legal deposition from Marty and Spring, wouldn't it?

Not to sure that is a good idea if they want a positive outcome... Thoughts?