Couples being Dive Buddy's in OWC?

[npaden]

I think it can go both ways.

My wife is learning to dive for me. We are learning at the same time but I want to way more than she does. Hopefully she will get the bug at some point, but she hasn't ever gotten excited about my reef aquarium even when we were raising baby fish. (I thought it might bring out the motherly instincts! )

With that said I want to make sure she can handle the diving by herself. We have even studied independently (in separate rooms). I really thought I would have to help her with the dive tables as she doesn't like math that much but she did fine on her own. As far as gear goes she will have to do that on her own and our instructor will make her.

We are taking basically private lessons so there isn't anyone else to pair up with so either way we don't really have a choice, but I feel strongly that she needs to learn this on her own and be able to do everything on her own without me because I will probably be more likely to need help underwater than she will. I'm much larger than her so even things like the choice of BCD's becomes important so she can assist me if necessary.

The key is learning and keeping the focus on the fact that being underwater 60 feet down is not our natural environment and we always need to be aware of that.

Oh well, my newbie 2 cents.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[pt40fathoms]

Rick Murchison once bubbled...
I approach this question case-by-case. Most of the time couples (including parent/child) can be buddies during training, with a little prodding to keep the dominant one from taking over.
"I won't certify him if you don't let him do it himself."
Sometimes, though, I have to split 'em up, and sometimes, even split 'em to different training sessions.
"I want him to come Thursday without you - that is, without you in the building."
So far, this method has been successful, and I've always been able to get 'em back together for the two final "fun dives" at the end of the course.
Rick

Agreed!

The "mother hen" syndrome of parent and child, or the "overly helpful helper" syndrome of husband and wife (this has gone both ways, not always the husband being the dominant one). Is the main reason to keep them separate durring the pool sessions and for at least 2 of the 4 O.W. dives. By doing this, they are far more independant and comfortable divers.

 

[cha]

Even though my wife is my best dive buddy, we were not buddies during OW class. I must admit looking back on it (plus now instructing students myself), I think that not having spouses as dive buddies during class is for the best.
This is because spouses usually attack tasks from a team approach and some things may go unlearned. For example, the husband may take on the responsibility of gear set-up for both of them while the wife defogs both of their masks. I feel that this type of dependancy during the learning process can lead to overlooking critical steps later on.

 

[Rick Inman]

The worst was diving with my mother (many years ago, and she soon gave up diving). She really didn't enjoy it and only learned for my dad. She was always having hyperventalation issues and I would spend the entire dive nerviously looking after her (and I was only 15!). Her favorite part of the dive was when it was over (cocktail time). She really depended on me, a teenager with a whopping 20 dives. Not good.
OH! THAT REMINDS ME! IT'S MOTHER'S DAY!! Gotta' go call her...

 

[scubaJC]

I like the idea of diving with my spouse. My wife has had her OW since she was in High School and I just recently completed my OW. I took the class at a local college that I teach at. It was a little awkward being buddied with a college student that was going to go out and get drunk before the OW test. I would have much rather dived with my wife who I know would be responsible. I also would not have any problems helping her with her gear becouse I feel that it would give me an over view of how her stuff was riged so that I could respond accordingly if need be, like wise I am positive she would help me as well to assure that she could do the same.

 

[aquagirl]

Interesting. I never really thought about any possible cons in taking lessons and getting OW cert with my husband. I guess it all depends on the individuals. I never noticed either of us doing anything more for the other. We learned together. We tackled our own problems together (through support). If either one of us had any trouble we looked for guidance from our instructor. I think the instructor would need to observe if any one is becoming dependant or anyone is becoming domineering. Although we learned together we had to do everything on our own. When it came time to our OW cert I would never of wanted any other buddy because I trust him to watch over me, because I know he knows my weakness and will watch for it and because its all about having fun and accomplishing something together. Like I said, it all depends on the individuals. But I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.