Beginning to think I may be a bit "Off" as I enjoy mentoring...

[Superlyte27]

Not sure it makes the students any more or less safe. Just makes class not as easy or fun for the instructor. What it definitely does though it protect against liability.

I'm not a fan, but I'll abide by the rules.

 

[TSandM]

So, you sign up your "assistant" as a student and have them fill out the forms. You don't have to charge them. Seems like an easy solution to me.

 

[Keith.M]

How does this apply to DMCs that are assisting with classes?

 

[Superlyte27]

So, you sign up your "assistant" as a student and have them fill out the forms. You don't have to charge them. Seems like an easy solution to me.

Last I checked, there's no assistant cave diving instructor or assistant trimix instructor.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

Just invite another active insured DM or instructor.

 

[ucfdiver]

Last I checked, there's no assistant cave diving instructor or assistant trimix instructor.

NAUI Technical Courses

Cave Guide (Technical Support Leader)

The NAUI Cave Guide course provides you with the skills and knowledge needed to plan and execute guided tours in caverns and caves. As a Cave Guide, your responsibilities might include escorting stressed diver(s) out of a cave system, repairing broken guide lines, as well as assuring that all guided divers are out of the cave after completion of a dive.

Your NAUI Cave Guide course includes a minimum of three dives, one cavern guided dive and two cave guided dives. Become proficient in analyzing your own breathing gas mixture, the use of general navigational markings, zero visibility/touch contact communications while following a line, as well as many other skills that are necessary to be a competent NAUI Cave Guide.

You must be at least 18 years of age to enroll in the NAUI Cave Guide course. You must also be a certified NAUI Divemaster and NAUI Cave Diver Level II (or their equivalents), and have a minimum of 100 logged cave dives after certification as a NAUI Cave Diver Level II with at least 50 hours of bottom time.

 

[Superlyte27]

I'm not sure that will matter much to the insurance company as it doesn't say Assistant or Divemaster. It says "guide".

Ultimately, I think you need to look at the insurance company's perspective. They are trying to protect themselves from liability from a bystander or tag-a-long during a dive.

By saying, "you can't go", they eliminate that person from suing the instructor and them (the insurance company) from having to pay. I don't think they are going to be okay with a divemaster, guide or assistant instructor tagging along, as there is no Cave Dive Master or Cave Diving Assistant Instructor. But I will ask my insurance company on Monday for an official answer.

 

[tstormdiver]

I'm not a Cave Instructor, but I adhere to this rule in teaching all of my classes. Unless my assistant is a minimum of "Teaching Assistant" certified and carrying their own insurance I don't allow them to participate in my pool or open water sessions in any way. If they're training to advance to DM or Instructor
I limit their participation so that whatever they're doing is under my direct supervision, meaning I am actively observing them and not just in the pool or the dive area.

Please note that this has nothing to do with the ability of the individual in question. It's purely a matter of legal liability should something go wrong. I've had very good divers who would make great instructors ask if they can help me and I regretfully have to say no.

-Adrian

I am an AOW instructor for this cave instructor. I carry my professional insurance through the shop's umbrella policy. It only lists us as scuba instructors. Not OW instructors vs Technical instructors. This year I will be breaking into the technical diving instruction side of things by learning to teach Adv. Nitrox/ Deco Procedures & possibly cavern, as my instructor is an IT in technical levels.

 

[Superlyte27]

My insurance company has rankings for DM, Assistant, Recreational, & Technical. It does in fact distinguish between OW and Technical through my provider. I'm not sure how Vincencia and Buckley does it.

 

[Drin]

My insurance company has rankings for DM, Assistant, Recreational, & Technical. It does in fact distinguish between OW and Technical through my provider. I'm not sure how Vincencia and Buckley does it.

As does mine.

-Adrian