Do you think your OW class should have covered some areas better?

[Z Gear]

First off I don't want to imply that the OW training from any of the schools are inadequate in the basic OW course. It just that there are a few things I have come to realize from being on this board, that I really should have learned during my OW class.

One thing that comes to mind is the procedure to handle an uncontrolled ascent (due to malfunctioning inflation bladder) not mentioned in OW manual and not practiced or talked about during class or pool training. You would think this would be something covered or at least mentioned during class or pool, but thankfully I learned this through Scuba Board

. My wife and I have practiced disconnecting the LP1 hose in the water in the event we have a stuck inflation valve, while simultaneously dumping air.
Thanks scuba board, and those who actually made everyone aware of this.

My opinion is that this is one example of something I regard important enough to be added to manual and training.
Do you think there is something else that should have been covered or perhaps done better in your OW training?

Frank G
Z GEAR - Build A Mount - Camera Pole Light Mounts, Hands Free Dive Camera Mounts & Dive Light Mounts - Build A Mount

 

[abscuba]

No open water class is perfect and there is no way to cover every senerio that could go wrong. A stuck inflator is a good one and it would be nice to add to the curriculum. There are many things that could make better divers and it would be nice to be able to have a much longer open water class to build better divers. The best thing a newer diver can do is find a mentor, an experienced diver that can help them grow and learn and become a safe diver. On top of that never stop learning and practicing. I have been diving for 16 years now and I am still learning and still improving my skills it should be a never ending process.

 

[Hawkwood]

....One thing that comes to mind is the procedure to handle an uncontrolled ascent (due to malfunctioning inflation bladder) not mentioned in OW manual and not practiced or talked about during class or pool training...

It is in the PADI world:

From both the Open Water Diver Manual and the iPad “Touch” version (and I assume the eLearning version as well):

“Disconnecting Your Low Pressure Inflator

An unlikely but possible malfunction is for your BCD (or dry suit) inflator to stick. Your response is to disconnect the hose supplying air to it and vent the excess air as necessary.

· To disconnect the low pressure hose with your regulator pressurized, push the hose toward the connection whole retracting the release.

· If you can’t disconnect quickly, get in a vertical position and hold open the exhaust valve while continuing to disconnect the inflator hose.

· For colder water diving, you can get low pressure hoses with oversized release fittings to make this easier while wearing gloves.

· Be sure to reconnect the hose after finishing the exercise.”​

It is also discussed and shown in the video (which is required viewing).

Exactly when it is done in the Confined Water is at the discretion of the Instructor, but it must be done.

Inflating your BCD orally underwater is also in the text, video, and is done in Confined Water.

 

[TheHuth]

I havent started my dive training yet. But because I am potentially considering doing dry suits, I found a copy of the PADI dry diver video. This scenario is definitely covered there.

 

[TMHeimer]

I had two (one in particular) excellent OW instructors. My only recollection was that there could've been more time spent on proper weighting and neutral buoyancy. Since DMing courses I have noticed an increase in the number of our instructors who have skills done neutrally, or at least not while kneeling. I know my course was 10 years ago and see that the move to this is a general trend in other places as well. Of course, there are certain skills that I feel can be done equally effectively neutrally or on the bottom. I suppose it is good to be able to remove and replace the unit neutrally (the skill I feel personally is the hardest), but I would think it somewhat rare that you wouldn't be on the bottom or surface doing this.

 

[Bob DBF]

The issue is how much time the instructor has with students, and how much time it takes to insure that the student learns everything that is taught. With online classes, pool sessions with one instructor, and OW dives with another, it is easy for me to see that a lot of material may not be retained, and not noticed as missing.


Bob

 

[tursiops]

OP, perhaps you should post your issue with the LPI disconnect in the SSI forum, since that was the class you say you took. It does not appear to be a missing element in other agencies' classes, as discussed in your previous thread on this subject.

 

[Hawkwood]

OP, perhaps you should post your issue with the LPI disconnect in the SSI forum, since that was the class you say you took. It does not appear to be a missing element in other agencies' classes, as discussed in your previous thread on this subject.

That is an excellent point. If someone is going to post that their instruction was lacking in something, maybe they could let us all know what agency it was through and when they took it. The agency and the time will make a difference, and let others make comments that are helpful.

 

[Bob DBF]

That is an excellent point. If someone is going to post that their instruction was lacking in something, maybe they could let us all know what agency it was through and when they took it. The agency and the time will make a difference, and let others make comments that are helpful.

On the other hand, may be the OP was commenting on what should be covered in the class rather than whether the instructor was training to standards. My OW class covered a lot of material that never made it to the book, never mind required by standards.


Bob

 

[Z Gear]

I think you both know I posted it there to begin with, since both have posted on that forum. I wanted tom put bring this to light as an example of what can be done better as far as OW training for others to chime in and give their thoughts and suggestions. I really believe that it is good that others who have gone through different training programs tell their side and if they feel they have something to add, they should do so. That is a topic worth mentioning and in my case this missing information in my training was an important one, and I hope others do receive. Keep it objective, let others have a say and don't tell me I must have gotten what they taught me "TURSIOPS" PLEASE !!!!.