#$%#$%@# Dive Training!

[Genesis]

you know, pay bills? Yeah, that.

Anyway...

My point is, (and you are certainly not the only board member guilty of this), you bi**h about everything. I don't recall ever seeing a post from you about the great dive you had that day. Granted, I could point this out about several posters, due to shear volume of posts, you're the one that gets noticed. When was the last time you enjoyed everything about a dive, without thinking about the LDS' prices or how bad this divers buoyancy was?

You obviously haven't been to the photog forum lately. There you will find that indeed I do enjoy my dives.....

I dive a lot - not a little. That you see a rant about one dive or two shouldn't be taken to mean that those are the only one or two I've done in the last couple of weeks.

That would be FAR from the truth, and most of the time, I very much enjoy myself. In fact, I enjoyed my dive with my g/f as well - I wasn't annoyed with her, as I've pointed out, in the least.

 

[mcse_jacksonvil]

With all due respect, that seems a little contridictory.

How can you say you were not annoyed with her when it was her inability to meet your standard for bouyancy control that prompted you to start this thread?

Granted, I think you have a valid arguement if she was'nt familiar with the meaning, but I doubt anyone walks out of a dive class without some knowledge of bouyancy control and it's importance. It's covered in the books (which she should have read on her own) even if it is not touched on by the instructor. Last I knew, it was a students responsibility to learn.

Regardless, if I were your girlfriend I think I would have major issue with you openly criticizing my inabilities (which are due without a doubt to lack of experience) in a public forum. This thread has gone on quite a while and it seems there is nothing but name calling and accusations flying. Even I am guilty of this. personally. I think that though your underlying meaning has some merit (regarding instructors not teaching buoyancy control), you were in bad taste to point fingers and begin ranting.
1. it's disrespectful to your girlfriend and could potentially damage her love of the sport at this entry level stage.
2. it's simply bad manners to point fingers in public

-James

 

[Genesis]

2. it's simply bad manners to point fingers in public

point fingers at the "lack of standards" and poor training conditions that cause this?

Why not? Is that not how things get fixed - they have to be noticed first!

 

[mcse_jacksonvil]

A fair statement, but somewhat misplaced.

I think you omitted reading the part I wrote about skills being taught in the class, not perfected. Anyone who's standard involves a newly certified diver coming out of an OW class with all of their skills perfectly honed is unrealistic. I am not so ignorant that I do not realize this, which is exactly why I made sure to put in 6 spring dives, After my OW courses and checkout dives, to refine my skills to levels acceptable to me BEFORE jumping into open ocean. Anyone who comprehends the fact that they rarely get two chances when xx number of feet beneath the waves, would do the same.

Not that I think you are wrong for having standards because you are probably a safer/better diver for doing so, I simply believe you are a little unrealistic in your judgement. I also think that your tact could use some work. Did it occur to you that if you and your GF ever attend a scubaboard get together that now everyone will be watching her bouyancy and passing judgement. That's a great confidence builder for a new diver, way to go. An experienced diver, and a good instructor would know that the less pressure you put on a newbie, the more open to learning they are. I am sorry, but to see the way you came off, you seem like a dominating prick. You have a good point in your posts, but unfortunately it is your poor delivery that has thrown everyone's attention away from your actual point and put you in this defensive position. Might want to work on that in the future.
Just my .02, do with it what you will.

 

[Genesis]

Not at all.

Second, what is my other option in such a case? Remain silent? Not raise the issue at all? Have no discussion?

As for people looking at folks oddly, including me, let 'em. I've never cared and I doubt I'll start now or at any time in the near future

 

[jbd]

Just a quick question about your GF's class. How many sessions and how long were they? Wouldn't mind knowing how many were in the class also.

 

[Genesis]

It was the typical "one week" class (2 days pool/class, 2 days OW diving), but she took a break between the pool and OW 'cause she wasn't comfortable with the mask skills, and I fully supported her doing that and working in my pool until comfortable.

On the final two OW cert dives there were four divers, if I remember correctly. There was one other on the first OW day who bailed due to an ear infection on the final day.

 

[Robert Phillips]

I disagree with the GUE/Halcyon/DIR prescription for a fix (and in fact argue that most manufactuers, Halcyon included, are part of the cause), but no longer do I disagree with the diagnosis of the disease

I was reading this post just waiting for something like this to come along. I knew you couldnt have a rant like this without adding a DIR jab.

 

[learn-scuba]

Genesis once bubbled...
It was the typical "one week" class (2 days pool/class, 2 days OW diving),<snip>

Out of curiousity... is this "a typical one week class" for any of the other instructors out there? Sounds like a weekend class to me. One weekend in the pool then off to open water the next weekend. Can't say I'm too surprised at the outcome if this is the case.

At least in my world, a one week class is five days of pool and academics followed by two days of ow... a one "week" class.

Genesis -- did you offer her any advice what-so-ever on training before she took her class? I should think you would have been wise enough to know that a weekend class was going to have poor results. Why the hurry? I'm surpised you didn't talk her into taking her time with a long format class where she could get good training and pool time. Or is this one of those things where she wasn't listening to advice?

 

[mcse_jacksonvil]

As usual, you contradict yourself.

Yes, you are defensive, because instead of starting a discussion, you put yourself in a position to be criticized by criticizing other first.

Your other option would be to take a little bit of time to put some thought into your post so as to keep the topic neutral without placing blame at any specific party. But obviously this option has escaped you thus far.