Thanks for sharing that video, Bryan. Just one follow up question for you.
I'm not clear how you briefed this before the demo. It's quite clear to me what you're doing but what did you tell the students they were supposed to learn from this? Was it about the effect of trim and buoyancy or was it about the effect of breathing and finning? ... or maybe all of that in one?
You're pulling a lot of different elements into one fairly technical demo, particularly if we're talking about novice divers. What is clear is that you were demonstrating that you can control your position in the water column to a pretty wide degree without using the BCD. I think that's a very valuable lesson and something that, in particular, novice divers need to become aware of.
However, you did it using a stabilizing kick that is normally used for station holding and as a starting point for teaching reverse frog kicking. I have to admit that I've had few OW students over the years who could have reproduced that kick with enough control to do what you were doing. Was it your expectation that the students were to reproduce the result or were you just trying to get the point across about how important breathing is to your buoyancy control?
I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. I like to see stuff like this because there's always something I can "borrow" to improve my own methods (if you don't mind).
R..
You're very welcome, and feel free to use this anytime you see fit. Introducing skills like this to new students, as great as they are, at least in concept, can be difficult if an instructor puts the expectations on the student to match his abilities (in the Open Water Course). At least from the stand point of a shop instructor who is on a time crunch to get them certified. Yet taking just a few extra minutes to demonstrate what can be achieved by a diver who is properly weighted and properly trimmed, can be beneficial to both the student and the instructor. The student can use this learning experience to set goals for himself or herself to reach, and the instructor can use it as a selling point to sell and teach a Buoyancy class. Either way it is a win win for both the student and instructor. The simplest way to introduce it to a student, is to make it part of the teaching routine, by having students perform it during the proper ascent and descent skill sets. In PADI terms, the 5 point ascent and 5 point descent. In regards to the finning technique, I use it during every Buoyancy class I teach. Though I still teach the Frog Kick in Open Water, along with the Flutter, and Dolphin Kick, I can really have students focus and master the frog kick, and its variants during this skill, during the Buoyancy course (PADI's Peak Performance Buoyancy and SSI's Perfect Buoyancy). Another purpose I put into this skill, is to show the student that the equipment they choose doesn't really matter, if they are properly weighted and trimmed, they can still perform the skill. Doubles, Sidemount, BPW, Jacket, Back Inflate, or any and all combinations this skill can be perfected by anyone. Lastly, I believe it helps show the students that proper breathing does work hand in hand with being properly weighted and trimmed, and even the slightest change in breathing can change the diver's buoyancy. I rarely ever have a student that can match this during the Open Water Course, and I would never fail a student for not being able to repeat this skill, but I believe there is great value at the same time, by sharing it with the students. Hopefully this answers your question.