I am putting this in the Advanced Forum so that everyone can access it and see the discussion. I don't want this moved to the instructor forum. The goal is to see how important it is to new and newer divers, as well as not so new ones, for their instructors to keep up their own education.
It has always been my personal philosophy and practice to take some kind of training every year for myself. If I am going to set an example for my own students how can I not do that? If I am going to tell you that you, the average diver, should take some form of training beyond Open Water (once you are ready for it of course) should I not be doing the same?
For those of you considering some form of advanced training, be it AOW, Rescue, a specialty, etc., how important is it that the instructor you choose set an example by adding to their own knowledge and skills? Be it a tech course, specialty in an area they are interested in, it might not even be directly related to diving. For example I am waiting for the next workshop at my local hospital on diabetes and exercise to take place. I once assisted with a student who was diabetic and obtained clearance to dive even though he wore an insulin pump. It may never happen again. But then again it might so I want to be prepared.
Three years ago I took the SDI Solo course, the year after that Doppler's Disaster Scenario Workshop, then did the SDI/TDI crossover which included several SDI and TDI on line courses as prep for that plus the crossover course itself. Last year SDI OW Sidemount, and this year I just sent in a deposit for my TDI Advanced Wreck Instructor class with Steve at the end of May.
Yes some of this is in order to increase my course offerings and as such my instructor income. But what also happens is that all of this knowledge gets distributed in every course I teach from my YMCA snorkeling and skin diver programs, through the similar program I offer for the Girl Scouts, on through OW to the other tech and pro classes I can teach.
I have seen other instructors who become OWSI and don't take a class after that. I get some of their students to train and the lack of additional educational training is sometimes apparent. I've always felt that my students are a direct reflection on my skills, knowledge, and abilities. So I had better work to continually update those.
I know it's important for me to do this. How important is it for you that I, or any other instructor, take the time to invest in our education to serve you?
It has always been my personal philosophy and practice to take some kind of training every year for myself. If I am going to set an example for my own students how can I not do that? If I am going to tell you that you, the average diver, should take some form of training beyond Open Water (once you are ready for it of course) should I not be doing the same?
For those of you considering some form of advanced training, be it AOW, Rescue, a specialty, etc., how important is it that the instructor you choose set an example by adding to their own knowledge and skills? Be it a tech course, specialty in an area they are interested in, it might not even be directly related to diving. For example I am waiting for the next workshop at my local hospital on diabetes and exercise to take place. I once assisted with a student who was diabetic and obtained clearance to dive even though he wore an insulin pump. It may never happen again. But then again it might so I want to be prepared.
Three years ago I took the SDI Solo course, the year after that Doppler's Disaster Scenario Workshop, then did the SDI/TDI crossover which included several SDI and TDI on line courses as prep for that plus the crossover course itself. Last year SDI OW Sidemount, and this year I just sent in a deposit for my TDI Advanced Wreck Instructor class with Steve at the end of May.
Yes some of this is in order to increase my course offerings and as such my instructor income. But what also happens is that all of this knowledge gets distributed in every course I teach from my YMCA snorkeling and skin diver programs, through the similar program I offer for the Girl Scouts, on through OW to the other tech and pro classes I can teach.
I have seen other instructors who become OWSI and don't take a class after that. I get some of their students to train and the lack of additional educational training is sometimes apparent. I've always felt that my students are a direct reflection on my skills, knowledge, and abilities. So I had better work to continually update those.
I know it's important for me to do this. How important is it for you that I, or any other instructor, take the time to invest in our education to serve you?