I'm not sure if this is a serious question or not...
Should all instructors really have ALL their own equipment?
- Thread starter YoyoSponge
- Start date
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OP
It would seem I cracked pandora's box a little bit here.
Clearly not everybody agrees, especially LDC owners and their employees.
So, I'll go back to the original issue that brought up the topic, which is in the OP.
I feel a student and instructor should be wearing the same equipment for THE STUDENT'S sake (whether or not the instructor owns his own equipment). I could care less about what the LDC owner's profit margin is. That being said, I haven't seen a valid argument so far as to why and instructor should have his/her own equipment as a prerequisite to teach (besides an LDC not having enough equipment, but I wouldn't work for a company that didn't have enough equipment anyway).
Also, the stories so far about LDC's requiring particular equipment to work for them is EVEN LESS incentive for a young professional to start making purchases before landing a job they see themselves in long term. It feels a bit like the industry is detaching itself from its future instructors/leader.
Clearly not everybody agrees, especially LDC owners and their employees.
So, I'll go back to the original issue that brought up the topic, which is in the OP.
I feel a student and instructor should be wearing the same equipment for THE STUDENT'S sake (whether or not the instructor owns his own equipment). I could care less about what the LDC owner's profit margin is. That being said, I haven't seen a valid argument so far as to why and instructor should have his/her own equipment as a prerequisite to teach (besides an LDC not having enough equipment, but I wouldn't work for a company that didn't have enough equipment anyway).
Also, the stories so far about LDC's requiring particular equipment to work for them is EVEN LESS incentive for a young professional to start making purchases before landing a job they see themselves in long term. It feels a bit like the industry is detaching itself from its future instructors/leader.
Everyone has pretty well covered whether or not you should have your own gear.
In regards to the OP's concerns of safety by not having the same gear as the students; I personally believe you are giving the student an advantage by not using the same equipment as them. It reinforces the need for a buddy check so they can familiarize themselves with different gear configurations. Once they leave your care it will be very rare they find themselves diving along side someone with the exact same equipment set.
In regards to the OP's concerns of safety by not having the same gear as the students; I personally believe you are giving the student an advantage by not using the same equipment as them. It reinforces the need for a buddy check so they can familiarize themselves with different gear configurations. Once they leave your care it will be very rare they find themselves diving along side someone with the exact same equipment set.
As a dive shop owner I allow instructors to use shop bc and regs in the pool, chlorine is tough on gear. I will allow instructors to use a set of tanks and weights on open water dives but I expect to have everything else they need. And I do not care what gear you use even if I do not sell it. Diving requires that you be comfortable with your gear and so much more for someone in a leadership position.
OP
Ok, so this is actually an interesting argument.
Make sure I'm understanding you right: it aids the student's learning to be using different equipment from their instructor? By means of encouraging exploration and inquiry?
Now we're getting somewhere.
A valid arguement: As a professional, you technically do not "need" a LDS to teach. From DM and up there are courses you can teach on your own without a LDS.
Yes, there are MANY benefits when working for a LDS. But there are also RULES. If you don't like the rules, you can either a) get the rules changed or b) find another LDS.
Instruction is principals not PHD (push here dummy)? Why does everyone need to be in the same equipment? It isn't like that in the real world.... I think it was a blessing that my training had us in everything from horseshoes, one piece jackets, jackets with QR straps, etc... You learned how to identify and asscess.... again, dumbed down takes another step to the forefront.... this is why things get ugly - we have given a false sense of security, and folks cant think outside the box.
As to not owning your own equipment - sure, but I'll never trust a zero-to-hero..... if you aren't owning your own stuff, you likely aren't at the skill level you should be.....because somehow I doubt that you are diving enough to be an optimal instructor (or be seeking employment as one)...
As to not owning your own equipment - sure, but I'll never trust a zero-to-hero..... if you aren't owning your own stuff, you likely aren't at the skill level you should be.....because somehow I doubt that you are diving enough to be an optimal instructor (or be seeking employment as one)...
OP
Also:
With the issue of practicality for the shop owner: is it that not being able to afford a bc, reg, wetsuit and fins for you staff simply outweighs the issue of the student and instructor not wearing the same equipment? Or is it, as has been stated before, simply and instructor without equipment is automatically labelled not serious enough to be a quality teacher? That question also leads to: why do you think that someone owning equipment is automatically more employable than someone who doesn't? Do you know their teaching style or experience simply based on the materials they own?
With the issue of practicality for the shop owner: is it that not being able to afford a bc, reg, wetsuit and fins for you staff simply outweighs the issue of the student and instructor not wearing the same equipment? Or is it, as has been stated before, simply and instructor without equipment is automatically labelled not serious enough to be a quality teacher? That question also leads to: why do you think that someone owning equipment is automatically more employable than someone who doesn't? Do you know their teaching style or experience simply based on the materials they own?
deleted..
Not necessarily an argument, just my view of why it is beneficial to the student to experience different gear sets. It also encourages the awareness factor which can never be stressed enough in diving.
A quick example: I have an Aqualung BCD and they use a circular, push button release on the shoulder straps versus the more frequent 2 tabs on the side release, (think backpack buckle) that most other BCD's use. During my rescue course was the first time I encountered the Aqualung buckle as I was using a different brand then. It took me extra time to figure out how to open the stupid buckle, time the victim would not have had if I had been in a real rescue scenario.
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