Got My DM - But I Don't Want to Dive "This Way"...

[Peter Guy]

Dennis, As I wrote, I (and all the other teaching staff) use their own gear for the pool work. Just about everyone has "pool gear" and "OW gear" -- and my "pool gear" is the BCD I bought during my OW class (SeaQuest Balance with AirSource inflator) along with a very simple reg (Scubapro Mk2 & Dive Rite 2nd stage).

The idea is that yes, the pool's chlorine WILL "modify" the pool gear and the "good gear" is kept for real work.

 

[Peter Guy]

Mike (you posted as I was writing) -- Thanks for your response.

BTW, Lynne and I will be in LA the end of June (arriving on the 23rd) for several days of diving with some great SoCal divers. I don't know what has been planned, but perhaps you can join us for something?

(You'll be able to find me because I'll be the one in the BP/W with a Cobra attached to my left waist D-ring and Vytec with wireless transmitter.)

 

[scubagoldmc]

Peter,

PM me and let me know where and when you will be diving. We'll see what we can do. We are planning the Catalina dive park on either the 23rd or the 27th with at friend.

Mike

 

[Bob Vincent]

It gets in the way and it's pointless underwater.

Talking about a snorkel.

One more time I'll say it louder this time WINGS ARE FINE I NEVER SAID THEY SHOULDN'T BE WORN AROUND ANYONE.

Now when you become an Instructor with a few students under your belt we can sit and have a chat. After you know the right way to run a class we can talk. Until then a little more education is needed.

One of the fundamentals of PADI DM is that you are a role model. And that extends to the type of equipment. In order to teach a pool class, you should be using exactly the same type of BC, Reg, Mask and Snorkel that your students (those who rent) are using. To use something different runs the risk of confusing them.

After all the skills have been completed... perhaps in dives 4 and 5.... while guiding, then it's ok to use markedly different gear.

Remember, it's about being a role model and keeping it simple and fun.

Right on dschonbrun! They have a different concept of bringing divers into the sport than we do everyone has an opinion. But I'll listen to another that has the experience, than someone who thinks they do.

 

[seaducer]

Objecting to a BP/W setup is like saying that since the students are in jacket BCs, the DMs can't use back inflate. The only objection I could see to a BP/W is that it is very slightly more difficult to get a disabled diver out of a harness than out of a BC with releases. And if you're planning on your DM getting disabled during class, you've got more problems than what kind of gear he's using

Wrong. There are some great harnesses out there for BP/W setups that are adjustable in the shoulder straps, and even have quick releases. I know, I have one with my BP/W.

I prefer it because I could be in 14mm of neoprene one dive and just a rach guard for the next, and a hog setup didn't seem as easy to adjust.

 

[seaducer]

RE the idea that BP/W is confusing, well I am sorry but that is just plain silly.

I have a Seaquest Spectrum 4.
I have a Dive Rite BP/W that has largely replaced the above.
I use an weight integrated jacket for volunteer work.

By far the easiest of the three to setup and use is the BP/W. It is not Hog BTW.

By far the most complicated is the WI model.

The most clips are on the Seaquest.

ALL 3 USE THE SAME CONTROLS AND THE SAME LP ATTACHMENT. And you know what else? The assembly looks the same too. The button on the end vents air, the one on the side adds air. By feel you would not be able to tell the difference unless you know all three intimately as individual units. I do only because they are mine (well one isn't but...) and I dive them allot.

So I don't know what people are thinking when they say a BP/W would be confusing to students.

It is easier to setup than the weight integrated BCD because there are less things to consider.
It is easier to properly put on than the Seaquest as there are a few straps and clips on the Seaquest that aren't on the BP/W.

Once setup and in the water they ALL work exactly the same way. So if you look at my gear underwater the only relevant part is the same as yours.

What is to confuse?

 

[Tigerman]

Grats wiht the DM cert.

Personally I think that for the basic certifications (such as PADI Open Water Diver) all the instructors and DMs should dive the same or similar gear as the students does and donate the same air sources the students does and so on. Its easier for new divers to relate to one gear setup on their class dives than it would with several different ones.
However, anything other than basic certs (for PADI that would be AOW and beyond) the gear the instructors dive shouldnt matter as the divers should be ready for "new stuff" or else they shouldnt be there in the first place. Not that they shouldnt be ready for new stuff in OW of course, but there EVERYTHING is new to begin with... (for most)

 

[dsstandiford]

Not to derail the thread but it seems this is a "Tech Vs. Rec" diver discussion. If your training Rec divers... then use the staple Rec gear (vest) that you rent. Diving is not something you can learn in one series of classes. Students will have PLENTY of years to learn about the wing.

 

[bfw]

Getting out of a BP/W with substantial weight, in rough seas IS very difficult, I find, FWIW.

I've heard the same thing about driving a stick shift. I just don't see it, either way.

 

[amascuba]

Talking about a snorkel.

One more time I'll say it louder this time WINGS ARE FINE I NEVER SAID THEY SHOULDN'T BE WORN AROUND ANYONE.

Now when you become an Instructor with a few students under your belt we can sit and have a chat. After you know the right way to run a class we can talk. Until then a little more education is needed.

I suppose that since I'm only a lowly DM that I don't understand how a class should be run the "right way"?

Save the BS. I've worked with around 150 students start to finish in a variety of classes with 8 different instructors. Some of the instructors have 30+ years of teaching experience and others have less than 5 years. I've learned a lot of different teaching methodologies from the instructors and seen what the students are capable of. I've also learned to spot the BS when I see it.