Greetings from Capt. John
Scuba Dive Florida (FL)

Florida Scuba Diving News

Scuba Corporations Are Not People…..

We the people vs Corporations. It's time for a change. Corporations are not people.
http://www.facebook.com/RealTruthNow

….And most dive instructors are not voting members of the scuba corporations, at best they are franchisees.

Most scuba corporations are for profit corporations owned by their directors not the members. Having membership in a scuba corporation is like having membership privileges at American Express Cards … (little or none) 

Last month PADI was bought by Lincolnshire Management of New York so guess I am a member of Lincolnshire Management ? The real sad ugly truth is PADI is no longer owned by divers, and that has been true for some time...

To protect our customers and ourselves we have our customers sign the Student Exit Agreement, you may remember it.

Please read it again and contact us if you, our customers , are contacted by the corporation that issued your scuba identification card.  

STUDENT EXIT AGREEMENT

Student agrees that the entire academic, confined and open water
requirements for this diver course have been successfully fulfilled by the
student and that student fully understands the questions on quizzes and
exams missed.

As indicated by the signature below, the student is mentally and physically
prepared to engage in diving activities without the direct supervision of an
instructor, provided area and conditions approximate those in which the
diver was trained. In addition, the student recognizes the need for
additional training in order to dive under any other circumstances and after
periods of diving inactivity.

Student agrees that they are customers of Sunsation Divers and are not
customers or the property of the corporation that issued their scuba
identification card(s) and will inform Sunsation Divers if solicited by said
corporation for any reason.

_________________________________________________________________

Since I published this last month PADI has 'unfriended me' (after 23 years)... so I have published PADI Sucks How you like them apples PADI ?

http://www.change.org/petitions/padi-the-professional-association-of-diving-instructors-padi-needs-to-replace-cheryl-gilmore-or-have-her-examined

What's New 2

Pierre-Yves Cousteau and friends dove with Chris & Capt John 1. 21.12

Pierre was in town to meet with the St. Petersburg City Council about headquartering Cousteau Divers here in Florida. Pierre is the son of Jaques- Yves Cousteau co-inventor or the Aqua Lung.

We did a dive at the main spring and at Three Sisters. Pierre took some photos and sent this this note.

Dear John,
Thank you so much for an amazing day in the springs! ....Thank you! Hope to dive with you again soon.;)
Pierre-Yves Cousteau 01.22.12

SSI PLATINUM PRO5000 DIVER CARD

The SSI Platinum Pro5000 Diver card is the calling card of the world’s most elite water explorers. The list of cardholders is a “who’s who” of diving, containing the world’s most prominent dive leaders, scientists, photographers, manufacturers, retailers, and resort operators.

What makes the SSI Platinum Pro5000 Diver award so special is that it’s all about diving. The unsung dive master on any island and Jacques Cousteau earned their cards the same way—by diving 5,000 times.Let’s put 5,000 dives into perspective. It takes 500 dives a year for 10 years, or 100 dives a year for 50 years! That’s a lifetime of dedication and commitment to the sport. John Russell has 7610 logged dives!

This award documents the dedication and commitment of diving’s pioneers and industry-makers. Scuba Schools International is proud that the sport’s most elite people carry the SSI Platinum Pro5000 Diver card.Many Pros have confided that it’s the first diving credential they ever received…and their favorite!

About the Platinum Pro 5000 Diver Level
The Platinum Pro5000 Diver card cannot be purchased. Individuals must be awarded the award by being recommended in writing by two Platinum Pros.

The History of the Platinum Pro 5000 Diver Level

The roots of the Platinum Pro 5000 Diver level go back to 1992, with the introduction of the SSI Century Diver card, the first card in the industry earned for making 100 dives. It was such a hit that SSI announced it would create additional cards for 500 and 1000 dives. Bill Gleason from Skin Diver Magazine proposed that there should be a card recognizing the most experienced divers, those with 5000 dives. Bob Clark, founder of SSI, thought this was an outstanding idea.

SSI and Skin Diver Magazine decided to recognize these people at a grand and formal cocktail party at DEMA, the world’s largest diving show. Nikon cameras offered their award-winning team to put together a professional presentation of underwater images, and the first Platinum Pro5000 Diver party was held in 1993

Calendar

Capt. John's Get Rich Scheme Number Three

Cool Web

Arrrrr, Talk like a Pirate Website

Article by David Barry, Miami Herald about 'Talk like a Pirate'

Related stories:

My favorite 'New Diver Story' by David Barry, Miami Herald 1989 the The Blub Story.

See also 'Sea Hunt' at Florida Scuba Diving and Florida Dive Sites and September 2003 Newsletter ~ Why Capt. John wears underwear on his head...

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