Failed my Day 1 PADI Pool Training

[divinh]

In a perfect world, you'd pay for a group lesson (cheaper than private lesson) and there'd be both an instructor and one or more divemasters. When a student in this setting struggles, the divemaster can focus on assisting them while the instructor works with other students. Done well, the struggling student will catch up to the rest of the class before they've gone too far.

From what you wrote, it sounds like there wasn't a divemaster present, just the one instructor?

Where is the line drawn between assisting and instructing? Once a skill has been demonstrated by the instructor, can the DM's then watch over and correct students?

Getting help from his wife already sounds verboten, but has been given as advice.

 

[tursiops]

Where is the line drawn between assisting and instructing? Once a skill has been demonstrated by the instructor, can the DM's then watch over and correct students?

The DM can help after the skill has been demonstrated, but cannot evaluate the performance of the skill....so once the DM thinks the skill is going well, the student is returned to the instructor for evaluation of "mastery."

 

[Seaweed Doc]

Where is the line drawn between assisting and instructing? Once a skill has been demonstrated by the instructor, can the DM's then watch over and correct students?

Getting help from his wife already sounds verboten, but has been given as advice.

As Tursiops points out, no. But the DM can get the student to the point they can quickly and efficiently do the skill. With no DM, the instructor has to tell you it ain't working for you, give up or else devote a lot of time just to you, potentially annoying the rest of the students. In a bigger class, this is a tough judgment call for the instructor.

 

[admikar]

In fact, when you get certified you are required to sign a statement that you will deny the use of your SCUBA equipment to those who are not certified. So you are definitely not supposed to breathe off a regulator as practice before class.

Never heard of that one.

On DM topic, as CMAS 3* I can do everything but evaluate the skill. Demonstrate, help out if needed and then let instructor do final evaluation.

 

[Searcaigh]

Not an instructor, but I recommend one in one instruction with no peer pressure, you'll do great.

You learned to fly with one instructor beside you (or behind you) and that worked out fine, just relax and you'll get there.

 

[wnissen]

Never heard of that one.

On DM topic, as CMAS 3* I can do everything but evaluate the skill. Demonstrate, help out if needed and then let instructor do final evaluation.

Well, yes, a 3* is basically a PADI DM. Understanding about the experience required to get 3*, I'd probably be more comfortable with them helping me than a PADI DM. Someone with PADI Rescue is not a DM, though, and shouldn't be giving people compressed gases. Just in case anyone is wondering, the statement is:

I, [Diver name] , understand that as a diver I should:
[...]
3. ... Deny use of my equipment to uncertified divers.

From the Safe Diving Practices Statement of Understanding.

 

[Gone for diving]

Get your wife to rent some gear so you have 2 sets and practice in a pool. Lay on the bottom of the pool on your stomach and get your self relaxed, not fin kicking etc,
You're fine as long a you don't panic and keep breathing....
Dry goggles spit in your mask and rub it in on the lenses, swish out with water, you will have no fogging issues,
(don't use gritty toothpaste whatever you do)

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Get your wife to rent some gear so you have 2 sets and practice in a pool. Lay on the bottom of the pool on your stomach and get your self relaxed, not fin kicking etc,
You're fine as long a you don't panic and keep breathing....
Dry goggles spit in your mask and rub it in on the lenses, swish out with water, you will have no fogging issues,
(don't use gritty toothpaste whatever you do)

Didn't you notice point 3 of the PADI standard safe diving practices statement of understanding?

"Deny use of my equipment to uncertified divers."

I think that statement of understanding is spot on.

 

[wedivebc]

FWIW I am an instructor trainer and I can say you didn't fail, your instructor did. Find a more patient instructor and maybe even pay a little extra for personal instruction. Maybe ask if your wife can join you for the initial class if that will help you with your anxiety. The only time I have ever failed a student it was due to careless or dangerous attitude and you don't seem to have any problem in that regard.

 

[lowwall]

Didn't you notice point 3 of the PADI standard safe diving practices statement of understanding?

"Deny use of my equipment to uncertified divers."

I think that statement of understanding is spot on.

This statement is not a condition of certification nor is your signature a promise to do those things. Your signature is simply acknowledgement that PADI has presented the information to you.