A list of instuction going over and above the minimum training standards...

[haumana ronin]

So after a week and a half, the list consists of:

• 1 instructor who took it slowly to make sure the lesson sunk in
• The possible start of an advanced clinic from Doppler
• Jim Lapenta's and NWGrateful divers indepth version of classes
• One guy out in San Diego who will ramp it up if the students catch on quick
• Fundies wherever, which usually ramps up if everyone catches on quickly

Thats it? In the whole country? In the whole world?:depressed: Surely there are other better than average classes out there. I was half expecting boulderjohn to post his class sequence up, but maybe it isnt fully defined yet. I like the clinic type approach too, especially if it is tacked on to the end of a "normal" class, something like the advanced bouyancy clinic from years ago tacked onto a ppb class, as long as its in the water.

So if anyone knows of better-than-minimum classes/distinctive specialties/whatever, post them.

:zen:

 

[TSandM]

My husband teaches a "techreational" workshop. It's modeled after Fundies, but without the commitment to a standardized equipment setup. It includes work on buoyancy, trim, non-silting propulsion and bag shooting. Academics include gas management and some further exploration of decompression ideas than what's taught in the usual recreational curriculum. Our friend Scott Christopher (Sound Aquatics) has taught a similar class; I'm not sure if he still offers it, as I think he is mostly teaching technical classes now.

 

[mathauck0814]

Thats it? In the whole country? In the whole world?:depressed: Surely there are other better than average classes out there.

You're making the mistake of assuming that the whole country/world pays any attention to this board at all. Most of the best instructors out there are too busy diving to worry about what gets discussed here.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

You're making the mistake of assuming that the whole country/world pays any attention to this board at all. Most of the best instructors out there are too busy diving to worry about what gets discussed here.

Got that right. I can think of several instructors just in my area who teach well above minimum standards. Of them, only myself and Peter Guy participate here.

This board is a big place ... but it only represents a tiny fraction of the divers and dive instructors out there.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[BluewaterSail]

So after a week and a half, the list consists of:

• 1 instructor who took it slowly to make sure the lesson sunk in
• The possible start of an advanced clinic from Doppler
• Jim Lapenta's and NWGrateful divers indepth version of classes
• One guy out in San Diego who will ramp it up if the students catch on quick
• Fundies wherever, which usually ramps up if everyone catches on quickly

Thats it? In the whole country? In the whole world?:depressed: Surely there are other better than average classes out there. I was half expecting boulderjohn to post his class sequence up, but maybe it isnt fully defined yet. I like the clinic type approach too, especially if it is tacked on to the end of a "normal" class, something like the advanced bouyancy clinic from years ago tacked onto a ppb class, as long as its in the water.

So if anyone knows of better-than-minimum classes/distinctive specialties/whatever, post them.

:zen:

What you have recieved are general answers. If you are interested in finding a great instructor in a particular geographic area, why don't you specify that area? Possibly someone might be able to recommend one to you. I don't think that anyone on the board is going to compile an international list of the best instructors on earth. And as has been stated, it is the unusual instructor who takes the time to participate on SC and share their knowledge with us for free, and generally without even a "thank you". We are very grateful to those that do!

 

[supergaijin]

IMO there isn't a need to go that far beyond the normal course requirements on an OW course. There is a real need to make sure that the requirements (like mastery of skills) are being met, and not just paid lip-service.

The AOW course is one where the instructor can get a lot more creative- the problem lies in that if certain agency's (PADI etc.) minimum requirements are met (which frankly isn't that hard), then the instructor may not withhold certification- even if the added skills have not been met. I would like to see an AOW course with a pass/fail PPB replacing Deep, and Deep being a separate pass/fail Specialty dive.

edit. for clarity

 

[Griffo]

well, without posting all of the course documentation, and based on my limited understanding since I haven't taken the class yet, I will add that in GUE classes, part of the grade is on attitude.

So, it is my understanding that if you meet the minimum requirements, and the instructor wants you to go a step further but you refuse without a good reason, you could fail based on attitude. However, if you try going that step further, and can't quite do it, this likely won't result in a fail.

It's also about creating thinking divers. There were times when I messed things up during fundies, but my instructor was happy that I realized it, worked out a solution, and calmly rectified it. I think that's more important than getting every drill up to demonstration level.

Someone also said that you should learn to hover well before the course. I couldn't before the course (in retrospect) but could by the end of the course - mind you, I was only shooting for a rec pass.


Back to the main topic, i was extremely impressed with my rescue course completed by Mark at Master Divers in Koh Tao. Outside of fundies, it was by far the highest level of task loading in any of the courses I've done. Mark started by asking me abut my gear setup, my process for donating etc, then basically devised ways of screwing with my system to see how I could I handle it. If I had not just done my fundies, and had rocked up in the same kit, I reckon I would have struggled. As it was it was fun, but he raised the bar throughout to push me. I like that a lot.




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[MXGratefulDiver]

the problem lies in that once the agency's minimum requirements are met (which frankly isn't that hard), then the instructor may not withhold certification- even if the added skills have not been met.

This statement only applies to PADI. There are other agencies out there, and it would be nice if those of you who make such statements would acknowledge that it applies to your agency, and not the worldwide choices available.

With my agency, when I require a student to do something beyond the minimum standards, I can ... and will ... withold certification if they fail to do it. And my agency (NAUI) will back that decision. The biggest difference between PADI and NAUI is that NAUI acknowledges that there are regional considerations to diving that will affect diver safety and competence ... and trust their instructors to teach with those regional differences in mind.

Dive instruction is not a one-size-fits-all situation. And PADI's way is by far the most popular ... but it's not "how the world learns to dive" ... there's way more world out there than just one agency.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[boulderjohn]

My husband teaches a "techreational" workshop. It's modeled after Fundies, but without the commitment to a standardized equipment setup. It includes work on buoyancy, trim, non-silting propulsion and bag shooting. Academics include gas management and some further exploration of decompression ideas than what's taught in the usual recreational curriculum. Our friend Scott Christopher (Sound Aquatics) has taught a similar class; I'm not sure if he still offers it, as I think he is mostly teaching technical classes now.

I would be teaching a very similar course right now if I were not recovering from injuries. In fact, her husband and I shared our thoughts as we created our classes. I hope to start teaching it in August, assuming a reasonable recovery.

 

[Selchie in LB]

NWGratefulDiver Now that's an advanced open water course!

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