Dive instructors

[SmithDiving]

Scubascooby, perhaps you've made your decision already, but if you're still looking for input...  We would of course love to have you consider crossing-over to NAUI as some of the previous posters have done.  I would suggest that no matter where you go please ask to talk or email the available Instructors.  We all have areas that we are really interested in and you should try to get your training from someone who fits your idea of someone who would be a good mentor for YOU.  Some of our female customers really want a female Instructor and some guys (and women) really want someone with a rigid (public safety style) background.  Keep in mind that you sometimes learn more by being exposed to different ways of doing things.  I try to tell all of my students that they can learn things by just watching other divers, this is after all the way diving got it's start.  I've learned a lot over the years by watching divers who are doing the "new" thing.  Sometimes those lessons are negative (I'm going to remember to never do that) or positive (I think I'll steal that configuration).  I sometimes wish I could do 150 dives a year with 150 different divers.  I'd probably learn 150 new things.  Congratulations on your commitment to diving and learning.