Demonstrations - information and tips

[scubagirltoo]

Hi,

I work in a scuba shop and we have been recently contacted about doing a demonstration for a class in an elementary school.

I need specific information about accidents in diving. Dates, places, reasons for dying, even the depths they were at would be useful, ect.

I also need information on people getting the bends.

Any diving accidents where people didn't die....that sort of thing. These are kids, so the information can't be to graphic....; )

Also, any tips on presentation if you have ever done this kind of thing would be apprecitated.

Thanks!

 

[Wijbrandus]

Give DAN a call. That's where I'd start looking.

 

[large_diver]

One suggestion might be to avoid "death" altogether as one of the topics you are discussing, especially with elementary school kids. One of your "jobs" in presenting to kids is to get them excited about diving, not scare them away from it....;-)

I've done this twice for my kids' elementary school classes -- some suggestoins:

- Enter the classroom in full gear, if possible. Huge "WOW" factor
- Leave lots of time for questions - -each time I've done this, there have been so many questions that we've run out of time
- Be ready to discuss sharks -- every dive conversation I've ever had with kids (and adults) eventually turns to sharks. The question that wouldn't go away that last time I did this was, "What happens when a shark bites your tank in half..."
- Show kids how things work -- e.g., if you wear a drysuit, do the "Michelin Man"
- The focus of my presentation was on how each piece of scuba gear allows us to adapt to be able to live underwater for short periods of time...and then discussed how each piece of gear allows that adaptation (fins for swimming, suit for cold, etc., etc.)

 

[leo311]

There's a book out on tape called "The Last Dive". pretty harrowing tale. I found it at a Cracker Barrel; just an idea. Leo.

 

[gfisher4792]

Um, quick question: are you doing a "Scuba" presentation or a "Death by Scuba" presentation? Just wondering, as the kids (and parents) might further perpetuate the myth that scuba is a death sport.

BTW, a recent Dive Training issue (I'll see if I can find it) has a very good article on giving presentation on scuba, specifically for elementary aged kids. large_diver's tips are spot on.

 

[leo311]

said she wanted stories...

 

[Bob3]

Not to hijack the thread, but someone please tell Large_Diver to clean out his inbox, it's full & I can't PM him.

 

[Stirling]

I think I agree with those who suggest lightening up on the "death by SCUBA" angle; if there are kids in the class whose parents are divers, you don't want to make them worry that their parents are suicidal idiots.

You probably don't need to plan for a whole lot, because the time will fly by. Leave plenty of time for questions, and show and tell with a few pieces of equipment is probably best of all. Beyond that, as time allows:

A few pictures of wrecks and reefs and underwater shots of very different types of diving (Atlantic wreck dives, Cozumel reef, caves, and wrecks) and of the cute little fishies and maybe a shark or two. Be sure to mention the commercial side, as well as the recreational and technical sectors.

Explain the training and certification process, dive tables/computers, and the buddy system and air sharing and some of the other stuff that is meant to enhance the safety of diving.

For the bends, the two bottles of Coke demonstration will make the point and explain why sometimes you have to take extra time coming up.

I'd stay away from that whole BP/W v. jacket BCD thing, because some kid in the class is sure to go home and complain to the parents that you took the wrong side on that issue.

 

[Henryville]

A couple of months ago, Dive Training magazine did an article on this, with suggestions on how to connect with school kids. I set it aside since my 5th grade daughter's teacher wanted me to come in and talk about diving when they were studying the Titanic. "Yes, kids, it was a long deco hang and I only needed to to sink an LPG tanker to have the gas I needed for the dive, but it was worth it for the china."

Seriously, if you can get hold of that magazine you will find some helpful suggestions. I also endorse keeping away from the death/injury theme. You could start by rule 6ing all of the kids not dressed in black, then continue with anyone left in the class...

If you insist on scaring them away from diving for good, I did hear about a IE candidate who for his teaching module got lung expansion injuries and for a visual aid got a balloon, put a bunch of catsup inside, inflated it and then to illustrate what happens with a breath hold ascent... You get the picture. The boys will love it.

<Edit> I checked, the issue is October 2004.