Bob DBF
Contributor
8. Tell the certified diver that he is not qualified to dive on his own with another newly certified diver. Perhaps have the instructor brush up on http://wrstc.com/downloads/03 - Open Water Diver.pdf and the purpose for OW certification. It is one thing to discuss good judgement when diving, some dives require more experience than others, but that is different than saying that a diver needs be under supervision until AOW and Rescue trained.
7 & 6. Good luck. Until the agencies start revising their standards and revoking professional certifications for this behavior, it will continue.
5. Every ascent at a proper ascent rate with a safety stop is a good thing, except in an emergency. Having one procedure regardless of circumstances is asking for trouble. Yes it will shorten the class because you don't have discuss the reasons for violating procedure, but this may keep the diver underwater long enough for an emergency to turn into a disaster.
4. When I was trained, it was not a 1/4 turn. As it was explained to me, most valves are not meant to be back-seated (opened hard as if against a seat as it is when closed). So the valve is fully opened then closed slightly. I don't know where the 1/4 turn came from, but it can be a problem as some valves can be opened in a couple of turns and a 1/4 turn open can give the same indication as fully opened when checked.
3. The last training I was in there were two divers using weight belts, I was one, this included two other specialty classes and an OW class. May be it's a local problem in his area as out here in the sticks it is not evident.
Other than the limitations of some shops rental inventory, the choice of weight systems is up to the diver, as it should be. I personally perfer a weightbelt, but had no issues the few times I have used an integrated BC. Live and let dive.
2. Ridiculing a peice of equipment is a poor way to argue a point. I personally have use for a snorkel, others don't. There a lot of good arguments pro and con for the use of the snorkel, and it should be up to the diver to decide whether it fits their dive plan. There can be no choice if the diver is never trained on its use.
1. I'm in agreement it should change, and it is, slowly. Don't blame it on the last century, but on lazy instructors. I was trained in the last century and skills had to be shown while diving neutral in order to certify. Not that they were not also done on the bottom in the pool initially.
Bob
7 & 6. Good luck. Until the agencies start revising their standards and revoking professional certifications for this behavior, it will continue.
5. Every ascent at a proper ascent rate with a safety stop is a good thing, except in an emergency. Having one procedure regardless of circumstances is asking for trouble. Yes it will shorten the class because you don't have discuss the reasons for violating procedure, but this may keep the diver underwater long enough for an emergency to turn into a disaster.
4. When I was trained, it was not a 1/4 turn. As it was explained to me, most valves are not meant to be back-seated (opened hard as if against a seat as it is when closed). So the valve is fully opened then closed slightly. I don't know where the 1/4 turn came from, but it can be a problem as some valves can be opened in a couple of turns and a 1/4 turn open can give the same indication as fully opened when checked.
3. The last training I was in there were two divers using weight belts, I was one, this included two other specialty classes and an OW class. May be it's a local problem in his area as out here in the sticks it is not evident.
Other than the limitations of some shops rental inventory, the choice of weight systems is up to the diver, as it should be. I personally perfer a weightbelt, but had no issues the few times I have used an integrated BC. Live and let dive.
2. Ridiculing a peice of equipment is a poor way to argue a point. I personally have use for a snorkel, others don't. There a lot of good arguments pro and con for the use of the snorkel, and it should be up to the diver to decide whether it fits their dive plan. There can be no choice if the diver is never trained on its use.
1. I'm in agreement it should change, and it is, slowly. Don't blame it on the last century, but on lazy instructors. I was trained in the last century and skills had to be shown while diving neutral in order to certify. Not that they were not also done on the bottom in the pool initially.
Bob
