Taking Rescue Course and I don't think the conditions are good to dive in.

[boulderjohn]

Whether I am an instructor dealing with a student or a diver planning a dive with a buddy, if the student or buddy is uncomfortable with a dive plan, we either change the plan or cancel the dive. I will not exert pressure on a diver to do a dive they don't want to do, and I make that policy clear. I consider the threat of a rescheduling fee to be putting pressure on divers to do a dive they do not want to do.

 

[TMHeimer]

Whether I am an instructor dealing with a student or a diver planning a dive with a buddy, if the student or buddy is uncomfortable with a dive plan, we either change the plan or cancel the dive. I will not exert pressure on a diver to do a dive they don't want to do, and I make that policy clear. I consider the threat of a rescheduling fee to be putting pressure on divers to do a dive they do not want to do.

That's it. Either a money thing or instructor ego thing.

 

[Resqdivemedic]

In public safety diving we give the diver the option to back out of a dive at any point no questions asked. I carry that over to my students for open water training. You can always dive another day.

 

[Seville]

I just got back from the rescue class. I knew the conditions were not going to be very good when I could hear the waves 2 blocks away and it started to sprinkle. We started out with the carrying the diver out 3 different ways. It was pretty bad, whenever a wave hit us my buddy would go flying over my head and we would both tumble under water.

The current was very strong with a rip. Before we could even get to the float the majority of the class was about 100 yards off course. So much that the dive master had to assist in towing two students to the float before the class started. The class went though the same skills we went though in the pool. It was a constant struggle to stay in the area of the float because of the current. I ended up finishing up the class but it felt like I was in a rescue panicked situation the entire time.

During the entire class I was thinking about how much I could get for my dive gear and selling it all. Based on what happened today, I don't think I am going to dive anymore. I used to not be afraid of the ocean and enjoyed it, but having a constant struggle and using all of my energy to just stay near the float then practicing the skills was not fun. Even during the CPR part when getting my head dunked with waves was horrible. It was such a good feeling once my feet touched the sand and I was out of the ocean. I was relieved and grateful to get out of the ocean!

I have a deep diver class scheduled for next week and I am going to cancel it. I have no desire to go in the water anymore. Even swimming with my head above water I don't want to do.

 

[boulderjohn]

Imagine this scenario, then discuss what happens next.

Scenario

1. Student and instructor arrive at dive site.
2. Student says it looks like the conditions are too dangerous for the planned dives.
3. Instructor agrees the conditions are not ideal but believes they are doable.
4. Student repeats that they should not do the dive.
5. Instructor tells student that he will be charged a rescheduling fee if he doesn't dive that day.
6. Student agrees to do the dive to save that fee.
7. Student struggles in the condition and dies.

Discussion: What do you think will be the plaintiff's focus in the lawsuit?

 

[Wookie]

Imagine this scenario, then discuss what happens next.

Scenario

1. Student and instructor arrive at dive site.
2. Student says it looks like the conditions are too dangerous for the planned dives.
3. Instructor agrees the conditions are not ideal but believes they are doable.
4. Student repeats that they should not do the dive.
5. Instructor tells student that he will be charged a rescheduling fee if he doesn't dive that day.
6. Student agrees to do the dive to save that fee.
7. Student struggles in the condition and dies.

Discussion: What do you think will be the plaintiff's focus in the lawsuit?

And then (and I’m not meaning to bash anyone or anything) the plaintiffs attorney will blame the training agency (regardless of the alphabet soup) for not having clear and unambiguous instructions for “conditions too dangerous to dive under instruction.”

 

[lexvil]

You had plenty of “don’t” advice here, the problem isn’t the ocean it’s poor choices.

 

[boulderjohn]

I just got back from the rescue class. I knew the conditions were not going to be very good when I could hear the waves 2 blocks away and it started to sprinkle. We started out with the carrying the diver out 3 different ways. It was pretty bad, whenever a wave hit us my buddy would go flying over my head and we would both tumble under water.

The current was very strong with a rip. Before we could even get to the float the majority of the class was about 100 yards off course. So much that the dive master had to assist in towing two students to the float before the class started. The class went though the same skills we went though in the pool. It was a constant struggle to stay in the area of the float because of the current. I ended up finishing up the class but it felt like I was in a rescue panicked situation the entire time.

During the entire class I was thinking about how much I could get for my dive gear and selling it all. Based on what happened today, I don't think I am going to dive anymore. I used to not be afraid of the ocean and enjoyed it, but having a constant struggle and using all of my energy to just stay near the float then practicing the skills was not fun. Even during the CPR part when getting my head dunked with waves was horrible. It was such a good feeling once my feet touched the sand and I was out of the ocean. I was relieved and grateful to get out of the ocean!

I have a deep diver class scheduled for next week and I am going to cancel it. I have no desire to go in the water anymore. Even swimming with my head above water I don't want to do.

I am very sorry to read this.

Give yourself some time and think about it again. You don't have to dive in those conditions if you don't want to. I know I don't want to. There are plenty of dive sites around the world where calm conditions are the norm. On those dives, you will slip easily into placid waters and drop down into a wonderland. The only time you will be fighting surface conditions such as you describe is in Rescue Class, and you are done with that.

 

[boulderjohn]

And then (and I’m not meaning to bash anyone or anything) the plaintiffs attorney will blame the training agency (regardless of the alphabet soup) for not having clear and unambiguous instructions for “conditions too dangerous to dive”.

Here is my next challenge for anyone:

Create your own version of clear and unambiguous instructions for conditions too dangerous to dive.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Rescue Course should not be another card to collect. It was the most difficult course I have taken. If diving in unsafe conditions makes you want to sell your gear, you should not be taking this course. Twenty dives are not even close to enough experience to be training to rescue another diver. I would continue diving, learning to enjoy diving, and being comfortable in varying conditions. It may take a few dozen more dives. It may take a few hundred more dives.

The best lesson not taught in Open Water courses is when not to dive. I would not dive in six foot surf in San Diego, but there may be times when the surf comes up during a dive. That is the time when being more experienced comes into play. You may not have to rescue anyone but yourself, but having the confidence to exit the water in those conditions can save your life.

Sign up for a different rescue class when you feel you can safely manage another diver in bad conditions.