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Do Your Open Water Materials Make a Difference?
A good diver is always learning...

I regularly see this phrase in the email signatures of instructors, and there's no doubt divers who pursue additional training tend to be more comfortable in the water and more invested in our sport. I've often  wondered: is there a relationship between what Open Water materials an instructor uses and continuing education certifications?

Tables versus Computers
I looked at PADI stores in Southern California who've switched to the dive computer option and compared their certs with SoCal stores who are still using tables.

As it turns out: there is a significant difference. Here are my findings:

Increase / Decrease in Con-Ed certs

Teaching the Dive Computer option
62% increase in con-ed certs from 2010 - 2011
37% increase in core certs (AOW and Rescue)
92% increase in specialty certs

Teaching Dive Tables
21% decrease in con-ed certs from 2010 - 2011
6.5% decrease in core con-ed certs (AOW and Rescue)
23% decrease in specialty certs

Ratio of OW to Con-Ed Certs

Teaching the Dive Computer option
For every 10 OW students, 5 con-ed classes were sold (AOW or Rescue).
For every 10 OW students, 5 specialty classes were sold.

Teaching Dive Tables
For every 10 OW students, 3 con-ed classes were sold (AOW or Rescue).
For every 10 OW students, 4 specialty classes were sold.

Of course there are a lot of factors that influence a student's decision to sign up for more training:
  • An instructor who makes learning fun
  • An overall desire for self-improvement, etc. 
  • A love of diving in general

That said, the data suggest when our introductory class is less-complicated, students are more inclined to stick with diving - investing additional time and money in our sport. The cost difference between the table crewpak and the computer package is only $2-$3. This small investment upfront can translate into big rewards for a dive business and its customers in the long term.

PADI Open Water crewpak
PADI Open Water crewpak - dive computer option
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Patagonia Pro Deal for PADI Instructors

PADI Instructor Discounts from Patagonia


Pro Deal from Patagonia for PADI Instructors
PADI Instructors (MSDT or higher) qualify for special pricing from Patagonia in 2012.

Orders must be placed via their website, and there's a short application process. Also, the discounts are gender-specific. So women, you can only order women's apparel at a discount, guys no discounts on bikinis, sorry.

Ready to get started? Here's a rundown of what you'll need to provide:
  • Completed on-line application (printed out or scanned)
  • Current PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, IDC Staff Instructors, Master Instructors or Course Director’s certification (a print out from Pro-Chek works well for this)
  • A current company brochure, catalog or personal advertisement listing your name as a scuba instructor.
  • Dive service business card
  • Letter of reference from the dive service for whom you work
  • Proof of personal liability insurance.
Click here to get started with the Patagonia Pro Deal application process.

Submit the documentation described above by FAX, mail or email. This yearly offer is for individual accounts and may not be available in certain regions.

Pasted below is a small sample of what's available. Email subscribers may need to click through to view images.

Patagonia Board Shorts / T-Shirts



Patagonia Travel Bags

Patagonia Women's Swimsuits

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2012 PADI Instructor Manual, PADI Application Fees, and More
Below are some helpful links for 2012. Please feel free to bookmark this page.

Where is the 2012 PADI Price List?
Our online shopping cart can provide you with prices one item at a time. For a complete price list, please contact your PADI Americas' sales rep and include your member number. Currently, the price list is not available for download.

When do I get my 2012 Instructor Manual?
Renewed PADI Pro's can download the 2012 Instructor Manual around the end of the day on 1 February 2012. If you don't see the download promptly on 1 February, please check back on the 2nd.

How to access it:
  1. Log in to the PADI Pro's Site.
  2. After logging in, click on "Training Essentials."
  3. Next choose "Digital Instructor Manual" from the drop down menu.
How much is the Divemaster application fee / Master Scuba Diver fee, etc?
This information available on this website: 2012 PADI Application Fees and it's on page seven of the 2012 price list.

When is PADI Member Forum?
The 2012 PADI Member Forum schedule is available online. We don't have all the locations dialed in, but the dates are set. Please register so we may notify you of a date or location change.

When will the new Care for Children / EFR IT materials be available?
March.

Here are some other useful links:

2012 PADI Instructor Examination (IE) Schedule

Are your PADI teaching slates current? Check our current revision dates.

Are your PADI exams current?Check current revision dates.

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Dive Industry Job: Marketing Consultant for PADI
PADI is currently hiring for a marketing consultant at our Orange County (PADI Americas) Office. Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@padi.com. Read the complete job description.


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Travelling with Dive Gear: Calculate Airline Baggage Fees

Scuba Gear Baggage Fee Calculator

I recently came across a great website: iflybags.com that allows you to quickly calculate the airline baggage fees for your dive gear.

dive gear airline baggage fee calculator


Here's how it works: 
Type in where you're going, what airline, and whether you're flying coach, first class, etc. Click check allowances.

iflybags.com displays the baggage allowances and costs for your flight. Below is an example using an American Airlines flight from LAX to Honolulu. Email subscribers may need to click through to view images.

scuba gear airline baggage fee calculator



You can also have the site calculate exactly what your baggage fees will be. After typing in your flight info, click calculate baggage fees. You'll then be prompted to enter in how many bags you have, and how much each one weighs (see example below).

click to see a larger version

Iflybags.com displays the total cost for your baggage. It even takes into account any elite frequent flyer status you may have.


In addition to being useful pre-flight, I think this could be a great tool when researching flights. An airline that offers a free checked bag might be a better value than a flight that costs $20 less.


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