RAID, always the innovator, has made sure that everyone, from non-divers to instructor trainers, can have complete access to every level of their extensive online academics and quizzes for FREE.
RAID recently announced that all RAID programmes will be available to everyone visiting and registering on www.diveraid.com. The new FREe-Learning landing page will be live as of Wednesday, April 1. RAID was the first fully online diver training agency. The time is right to launch RAID’s next-generation innovation – FREe-Learning.
Paul Toomer, president RAID International, said that opening up the company’s full curriculum for anyone to browse is part of what he referred to as “The RAID Way.”
Toomer explained, “We do not want to stand in the way of anyone staying engaged with the sport, especially now.”
Peter Nohren, RAID Product Manager, added that the initiative will allow visitors to the RAID website to login and have immediate access to dozens of RAID diver training programs. “That includes everything from Try Dive to Cave instructor. Even visitors who currently have not created a profile on the RAID site, will find becoming a member of the RAID tribe and setting up a personal profile is a very simple process.”
“Once that’s done,” Nohren said, “they can work their way through programs chapter by chapter, quiz by quiz, and learn something interesting. Perhaps something they want to pursue and earn certification for when that’s possible. We realise that right now, most of us are not able to get our usual underwater fix, but with RAID’s FREe-Learning, you can get ready for when we can.”
At that time, Toomer explained, “RAID members can pick a dive centre to finish their program, open up the final exam for the courses they’ve completed (as long as they meet the prerequisites) and GO DIVING, with their instructor of choice.
During these trying times, it is often easy to have a knee-jerk reaction and become reactive and not proactive. We are providing options to our dive centres and professionals that will actually make a difference. We are not keen on just making press releases that don’t actually say anything. We are also not wanting to use the pandemic as some sort of profit centre. And most importantly, we will not release initiatives that will only last while we are in times of suffering and are then taken away when the world returns to normality.”
On behalf of RAID HQ and all Regional Office staff, I’d like to share some information on the agency’s current position on the COVID-19 pandemic.
We all appreciate that everyone has to comply to directives from our respective governments and health department officials globally. Unfortunately, this means that training and travel as we know it has changed. Our aim over the coming weeks is to provide you with some business interruption assistance wherever we can. We are trying as best as possible to not just talk about assistance but to actually bring something that truly benefits you in these times.
Even at HQ, we have stopped travel, and many HQ staff, senior directors, and ITs who have travelled in the near past have placed themselves in self-isolation. Naturally, this affects our scheduled travel for business-related meetings and training commitments with our members and divers globally, but in the interest of abundant caution, we are certain this is the best action our company can take.
Our members have expressed serious concerns over common practices in agency-sanctioned scuba training. Two specific concerns are in regard to gas-/air-sharing drills and equipment disinfecting. We have brought these concerns to the attention of the appropriate authorities and will be discussing what action our members can take to keep divers in training as safe as possible. We will be releasing updates immediately after those meetings.
As you all know, RAID training courses are valid for 6 months. If you have purchased a RAID program and are unable to complete the course within the 6 months, we will extend your course so that you can complete the program once these trying times are over.
We are empathetic about the negative impact COVID-19 is having on businesses, our families, our dive centers, our professionals, and, of course, our divers. RAID is also working hard on alternative programs and standards changes designed to help support your business, your diving ambitions, and your continued diving and teaching safety. We will release regular news and updates.
If you are in doubt about anything regarding diver training and how COVID-19 impacts it, please do not hesitate to contact your local representative.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and please stay safe.
Sincerely,
