DM (PADI) Equipment swap with buddy breathing

[Thalassamania]

I do not think it is a violation at all.

In confined water, have divemaster candidates demonstrate the ability to solve unanticipated problems underwater,

This argument has been discussed a number of times.
Unanticipated Problems can mean lots of things. An instructor is encouraged through the whole of the dive master course to simulate real conditions. This is obviously simulating low or no visibility.

If the candidates have time to discuss and prepare, how then can the problems be considered unanticipated? Is the assumption that the candidates will not use that time to anticipate the problems? Seems rather strange to me.

 

[vjanelle]

Unforseen problems are stupid stuff like not having the same size fins, not timing the passing of your bcd+tank around in same direction, long hose entanglement if you're using one, jackass instructors not following standards, etc?

 

[olphart]

Nope. swimming to shallow water isn't an issue, you just take the extra bottle with you. You're talking about a 50 foot swim at most in a pool

 

[DBailey]

Nope. swimming to shallow water isn't an issue, you just take the extra bottle with you. You're talking about a 50 foot swim at most in a pool

To me, the added tank and regulator would only make the skill more difficult since it is one more item to manage. I would take this into consideration when grading the candidates that they were not as efficient as possible.

 

[scarefaceDM]

Having gone through this and assisting through this course as an active DM. This is what was instructed to us as we were doing the exercise. And as we were supervising.
Supervising DM'S are to observe and intervene if called upon by the distressed diver whom requires Air. The instructor was also in the water observing the students as well as the inwater DM.

Instructors instructions:
_ You are to share air as you do an equipment switch. You are to take as much time as you need to execute this scenario. Meaning try not to drown. (By counting how many breathes you need to make a switch of a piece of gear.)

_ You are not allowed to switch weight belts. Or use a redundant air source. Or switch any exposure protection.

_ You are allowed to discuss the steps to which you will switch gear. Meaning what you switch first and how many breathes to take before an air share.

When I did this we discussed the sequence of the equipment exchange. Since I had an integrated BC I went to a weight belt. So I was a match with my partner. So as not to cause or add to a task overload. Our problem solving went to how the gear fit or did not fit and how to deal with it as you go through the motions. The major problem to solve was the air share.

1- Mask went first.
2- BC came off next
3- then the fins. one at a time.

We did well after three attempts. Getting a 4. The reason we got a 4 was simple, we slowed down to work out the problem. Goes to the old saying...Stop, think and breathe.

 

[Kunundrum]

I started with Fins, BC and then Mask, since I have a prescription Mask I figured it would be best to see what I was doing during the exchange.

The best thing for the exchange was the ABS octo, it has a longer hose making it easier to share and it can be used in any position (since it's flat) unlike a conventional Octo that would need to be flipped to the proper position.

I ended up doing this twice once for my certification and once as the buddy to an other DMC, both times went smoothly and without incident.