Before you take your open water course

[Slonda828]

There are a lot of us out there who think that sometimes people get passed through the open water diver course when they shouldn't. I know that the shop I work for doesn't pass people just because they paid. There are also a lot of us out there who know that people sometimes come into the open water course without the right mind set or preparation (like being afraid of water). When I was in grad school I had to do an online adult education project, so I chose a pre-scuba course. I thought I would post this as a free way to prepare yourself for the open water diver course if you are thinking about it, or if you are a new diver. I addressed what I felt were common areas of concern based upon what I have seen at the shop. I welcome feedback on this, but it needs to be constructive and not limited to the usual scubaboard jibberish of nonsensical garbage. It is also full of documented references.

Here is the link:

Pre-SCUBA Diving Course |

This online, self-paced course is designed to get you in stellar shape for any agency's open water diver course. It had a 100% success rate at my college for anyone who tried it. It is not easy, but if you can do it, you will smoke ANY open water course.

New divers, I hope this helps you. If you need any help PM me.

 

[Phil_218]

I like the site, it explains a lot of things that will help someone prepare for the OW class. A prospective diver could review the material at his/her own pace in preparing themselves for OW class. Your site, if followed, would definately provide more confidence to the prospective OW diver.

Thanks for sharing your work.

 

[Slonda828]

Good, maybe if enough people find it useful, the powers that be will make it a sticky.

 

[boulderjohn]

I am sorry to throw out some disagreement, but I am concerned that although following what you describe will result in well-prepared divers, it has a number of problems and in some cases may do more harm than good.

This class has your opinions on what someone needs to do to be ready for a scuba class. Not everyone will agree with all those opinions. I for one, don't agree with more than a few. For example, I have many students complete courses with ease without having snorkeled or skin dived nearly as as much as you advocate. Some have never snorkeled before at all. Your swimming portion is more rigorous than is generally required. Many agencies have no requirement for a 25 meter underwater swim.

In your opinion, perhaps that is the way it should be, but that is your opinon and not the general opinion of the dive community.

You also have the student trying to learn certain skills without the benefit of an instructor. They may struggle to learn these skills on their own when a skilled instructor could solve problems easily. For example, you say students should learn whether or not they can clear their ears or if they have fears before they waste their money on a class. Lots of students come to classes with ear clearing problems or with fears. A skilled instructor can handle both problems, often with ease. If potential students were to follow your advice, they might never meet that instructor.

You say that a class consists of two days of classroom instruction only. That is only true if the student has perviously completed a self study of all the instructional materials You left that fact out.

In my experience, preparation for a scuba class is far less daunting than you suggest, and I fear that your prescuba class could have the effect of stopping many people who would otherwise do just fine.

 

[boat sju]

Interesting. Didn't know I was supposed to be good at the breastsroke though ?

 

[oreocookie]

I'll say that like anything, there are good and bad points to your course. You mention the two day course, but if students aren't comfortable with a 2 day class, there are other options, which from what i've looked at, isn't mentioned. Also, I would think that many shops would have available extra practice time if you need it before going to open water; mine did. Our instructor told us up front that if we wanted extra practice with any of the skills we could come join the next class for those pool sessions, and one student joined our class to do just that.

I appreciate your section about selecting snorkelling gear. You peaked my curiosity about the difference between dive snorkels and snorkelling snorkels. I didn't realise there was one and think that you should add how they differ so that people don't get the wrong type if they buy somewhere other than a dedicated dive shop. I also think that you should avoid making statements like the one you make about the Atomic fins, especially since you don't qualify what makes them good fins. Since for everything else, you point out "this is what it is, some people prefer this alternative because..." (for the clear skirt mask you point out about black skirts), I would keep it simply as something like "these are open heel fins and require boots. these fins are split (vs paddle like the full foot fins) and have a spring loaded strap"

I would try to keep your opinion out of it as much as possible, though stating your opinion at times can be ok, as what works for you may not work for somebody else.

 

[PScUba]

Overall I thought it was pretty good. One thing I might like to see is other options for getting into better shape other than water activities. Simple jogging or biking would do many hopeful-divers well...

Though I do think if someone could perform the physical tasks you outline they would be more than prepared for an open water course.

 

[tstormdiver]

I have to agree with Boulderjohn on his thoughts about the physical preparations being a bit much. This is recreational scuba, not the military, commercial or technical diving, where expending large amounts of energy could be a "must". If a new diver can do these exercises, that's great, but a bit of overkill for the casual recreational diver who just wants to dive to see the pretty fish. The 25 m swim under water is very tough, I've had to do it in full technical gear & it took everything I had to do it. Even though there are some that will get rather worked up about this, recreational scuba is more geared for the average, healthy person who is reasonably comfortable in the water. Yes, if you can do better that what most training agencies require, that's all for the better, but IMHO still some overkill.
I also agree with his thoughts that an instructor present will help many people learn necessary skills more efficiently & also prevent the formation of bad &/or dangerous habits which can be twice as hard to overcome, once set. Some people get frustrated just trying to learn skills WITH an instructor, let alone trying to learn the skill without any real guidance.

 

[oly5050user]

I really take offense on a statement made about training organizations. Very unprofessional on your part and can be considered libel.
You made negative statements about PADI and marketing.The same thing can be said for ANY other agency,which you did not attempt to show.
So what if they market themselves,so does any successful business.I can show you where SSI,NAUI,ANDI etc all market themslves to get a niche in their markets.
What about an agency that does not allow independent instr's...The belief there is that it can eliminate competition in a local area if the area has only 1 dive shop.Former instructors for that store would have no where else to go,no competitive pay.. Its "work for me and my store or stay at home".Works great for the store,lousy deal for the instructors.
What about an agency that you pay a CD or IT whatever they call themselves an amount of money and "poof "you are now an instructor for them(I have personal knowledge of this happening for a local instr here in NY-he did it on an island in the Carib).
NO person or agency is perfect but to point fingers at one without listing faults in others is wrong.

 

[Slonda828]

Remember a few things here. I didn't say anywhere on that page that you HAD to do any of this. Since it is MY page, it has MY opinions on it (I know that's crazy, stay with me though). It says right on the page that this is harder than a regular SCUBA class. You can disagree all you want, but I'm not forcing anyone to look at it, follow it, or adhere to it. I'm simply passing on my observations from my experience diving, my experience working with new students, and my experience in the military. I didn't say anyone had to use it, did I?

No offense, but if you can't swim 25 meters underwater easily, in my opinion you shouldn't be an instructor. Come to think of it, all the recreational agencies agree with me on that. Maybe being physically fit does do something for your diving, I followed this program when I created it in grad school and I can swim 50 meters underwater on a single breath. Don't believe me? The YMCA pool is two blocks away, meet me there when I'm not in class and I'll show you how to do it.

I know we all have our different opinions, and these are mine. If you are in physically poor condition, re-evaluate yourself, but don't tell me that my program is flawed, it's hard on purpose. It is not meant for the moderately overweight vacation diver, it is meant for someone who wants to do this seriously, and as a form of physical fitness. Remember there ARE people out there who want to take a course that is harder than the one the 275 pound 45 year old man with the beer gut took to get his card.