Should all instructors really have ALL their own equipment?

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While it's a poor workman that blames his tools, it is even an poorer workman that has no tools to begin with. Get some tools dude!
RichH

I keep hearing this analogy but it's flawed. A great many workers of all levels are not required to bring their own tools. They get that from the workplace. It's only when you go solo that you have to have all your own.

What rubs me is when dive shops see DM's et al as consumers not professionals.

Still, as an active diver, I want to own all my own gear. Going the PRO route would basically mean I become part of the machine and stop diving for the sake of diving.
 
I've been doing so for years, as has every other DM I know, and most instructors. No problem at all.

It's funny how so many dive pros bemoan the fact that training has been "dumbed down" but then turn around and treat students like they are idiots. How on Earth will wearing a BP/W "muddy the water" for new divers?

As an example: when we were doing the gear removal / replacement underwater - one of the steps in the demonstration quality drill was loosening all of the harness straps before opening the cummerbund and moving the BCD to a knee. If an instructor wants me to model this step in the skill - I need to have similar gear. My BPW has has no adjustments and no quick releases on the shoulder straps.

I CAN demonstrate the removal of a BPW (either by chicken-winging out of it or by pulling it over my head) - but that depends upon the instructor being agreeable to alternative demonstrations of a skill that involve techniques slightly different than will be used by the student in a jacket BCD. And as a DM, I'm not really driving that conversation - as much as facilitating the agenda set by the instructor / shop.

But I agree that alternative gear can be instructional as well - and if the instructor doesn't mind - I'll be happy to wear my BPW. :)
 
I've sometimes wondered how it would go over to DM a class with a BP/W when all of students and instructors are wearing jacket BCD's. My suspicion is that it might muddy the water more for new scuba divers than not.

I've been doing so for years, as has every other DM I know, and most instructors. No problem at all.

It's funny how so many dive pros bemoan the fact that training has been "dumbed down" but then turn around and treat students like they are idiots. How on Earth will wearing a BP/W "muddy the water" for new divers?

---------- Post added June 7th, 2013 at 07:53 PM ----------

Not silly at all actually. As I said before, it's in the S&P of more than a few organizations.

So, a student wraps up OW this weekend and enjoys it so much that they want to take a Nitrox class next weekend... and the shop says "Sounds good. That'll be $1,700." ??

Which organization says that student must own their own gear above OW?

NAUI for one. Fwiw, the nitrox analogy is flawed, since no dives are really necessary to obtain a nitrox cert. but yes, NAUI requires Divers to furnish their own gear at the AOW level, and that doesn't change as you progress.
A DM or instructor should have their own gear....period. The implications of them not owning their own gear has already been discussed.
 
A DM or instructor should have their own gear....period. The implications of them not owning their own gear has already been discussed.

That goes without saying, as far as I'm concerned.

However, I do wonder about the implications for that in the case of someone who is as dedicated, passionate, and skilled as anyone... and has no money. Perhaps wanting to work as a DM in some third-world location? I would say that, in such a case, an exception to the "I wouldn't trust a DM who didn't own their own gear" rule of thumb.

---------- Post added June 7th, 2013 at 08:56 PM ----------

NAUI for one.

Can't seem to find a source/reference for that. Can you provide a link to something stating that?

If it is true... I never want to hear some NAUI person complain that PADI stands for "Put Another Dollar In"
 
And they have such little money that they built the experience level to even remotely become a DM, by renting gear. It would cost less over time to buy.
Mind you that I believe 0 to hero programs are an abomination and that there is no way a guy with 50 lifetime dives will get me to call them a DM, nor instructor at 100. In my opinion it would be irresponsible to certify a DM that is basically still learning how to dive.

The gear requirement is in the S&P. the reason behind it is that when performing advanced dives, you should be thoroughly familiar with your gear. I've never heard anyone claim to even like rental gear, let alone be familiar of comfortable with it..
 
Different scenario again.
Most 'DiveMasters' will likely not be 'DiveMasters', but dive guides only.
Those who are training as DMs from and in poorer countries will usually dive in ex rental gear, and other gear such as computers will come out of any wages earned in installments.
But they're unlikely whinging about whether or not they should own their own gear. They would love to be able to own their own gear, and trying hard to acquire as much as possible because they intend for it to be their profession.

I left my regulator set behind for one of my colleagues during my DMC to assist him on the road to independence. Better that than making myself a small sum on ebay.

Nic
That goes without saying, as far as I'm concerned.

However, I do wonder about the implications for that in the case of someone who is as dedicated, passionate, and skilled as anyone... and has no money. Perhaps wanting to work as a DM in some third-world location? I would say that, in such a case, an exception to the "I wouldn't trust a DM who didn't own their own gear" rule of thumb.

 
---------- Post added June 7th, 2013 at 07:53 PM ----------

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So, a student wraps up OW this weekend and enjoys it so much that they want to take a Nitrox class next weekend... and the shop says "Sounds good. That'll be $1,700." ??


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My error. I should have said the shop requires students own all their gear with the exceptions of for OW course or any course that does not require dives. When I took Nitrox the dives were still required and I had to have my own stuff.
 
---------- Post added June 7th, 2013 at 07:53 PM ----------

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So, a student wraps up OW this weekend and enjoys it so much that they want to take a Nitrox class next weekend... and the shop says "Sounds good. That'll be $1,700." ??


*******************

My error. I should have said the shop requires students own all their gear with the exceptions of for OW course or any course that does not require dives. When I took Nitrox the dives were still required and I had to have my own stuff.

The dives are required, but they aren't skill intensive dives. It's literally analyze you gas, plan dive and dive with an instructor buddy. If you don't do the dives it's a recognition program vice a certification.

As far as when you need your own gear, it is clearly outlined in the S&P for each course. As a matter of fact there are many courses in NAUI that don't require your own gear( hookah, adaptive, experienced....etc), but to the point of the OPs rant, AI, DM, and instructor aren't one of them.:)
 
My error. I should have said the shop requires students own all their gear with the exceptions of for OW course or any course that does not require dives. When I took Nitrox the dives were still required and I had to have my own stuff.

Still silly, as far as I'm concerned. Is this a shop or NAUI policy. Can't seem to find any reference/source suggesting that NAUI requires that a dive owns their own gear before Instructor level.

---------- Post added June 7th, 2013 at 09:55 PM ----------

As far as when you need your own gear, it is clearly outlined in the S&P for each course.

NAUI website doesn't show this. Perhaps instructor manuals do? Website does list "own gear" requirement for ITC, but nothing else.
 
i agree with the rental for pool work.

the lds i got my ow from is a scubapro only dealer...

in all the pool and confined water dives the instructor used scubapro rental gear just like us...

but on our last openwater dive he donned his oms wing, and all his "cool" gadgetry..
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/peregrine/

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