Failed to get Scuba cert. ? ? ? ?

[Lil' Irish Temper]

I was talking to this girl the other day about scuba, and she said she failed the NAUI O/W cert. When I pressed her for more info she said that she had a hard time clearing her mask, and the instructor didn't let her get her O/W cert.

There probably more to the story but, I've never heard of anyone failing scuba classes before, I've heard about people taking longer then other people, or quiting, but failing?

Thoughts on this?

 

[ScubaFreak]

I've had students who were absolutley undeniably<sp?>, not meant for the water, and should simply take up golf.
I'm sure some folk here will say that I just needed to spend a bit more time with the student, but sorry, when I have a class of 5 or 6, with the clock against me as I'm in a rented pool, there's only so much time I can spend with a student in an alotted time.
But back to your question, I'm not familiar with NAUI curriculum, but I can't imagine her "failing" on a single skill. That kinda sucks. Did she give any other info? how many in her class, did the instructor take her to the side and go over the skill?

Would be interesting to hear more!

Scubafreak

 

[t0by]

Imagine having to dive with someone who couldn't clear their mask? Could be dangerous, no?

If they can't clear your mask, then they should stay practising in confined water until you can and probably find a different instructor.

Not because the instructor may be at fault, but because a different instructor might introduce a different technique more appropriate to the student.

 

[jonnythan]

It makes me happy to hear that this actually happens. Some people weren't meant to be divers... hopefully, the instructor offered to spend some more time with her in the pool or suggested that she just give it up instead of just throwing her out of the class, but failures shouldn't be THAT uncommon..

 

[CBulla]

Thats pretty good the instructor stood their ground that this person was an unsafe diver and did not pass out a card. That is exactly the sort of person who would freak at 60' when they can't clear a mask, think they're going to drown, and make for the surface with anyone in tow that was dumb enough to hang on.

 

[wolf eel]

I think its kinda funny how everybody calls the student the dumb *** and thank god for the fact that the instructor held his ground.

What kind of a person is this ? Are they fit to dive ? And are they the type of person who should be diving ? If yes is the answer to the last two the instructor may be at fault for not taking out enough pool time, half hour for a class may not have been enough time.

 

[del_mo]

Hmmmm....I have a different take on this issue. My wife failed her "clearing the mask" skill. She got cold before she figured it out. She got a second chance at learning to clear her mask with a DM, not an instuctor, until she figured it out. Took about 10 minutes more and she was comfortable with it.

If the person mentioned above was failed, and her money returned I would have no problem. Then she can (if the dive shop would allow) try again as my wife did.

 

[t0by]

Who said the student was a dumb-****????
Not being able to perform a scuba skill does not equate to being a dumb-****...

But it is very important that the instructor stood their ground and didn't sign a legally binding document saying "this student has proved that they can clear their mask". Instructors who do that are the dumb-****s.

I think its kinda funny how everybody calls the student the dumb *** and thank god for the fact that the instructor held his ground

 

[t0by]

Do you think an instructor should be penalised (i.e. not paid) if a student needs more tuition time?

I'd call it 'overtime'.

Hmmmm....I have a different take on this issue. My wife failed her "clearing the mask" skill. She got cold before she figured it out. She got a second chance at learning to clear her mask with a DM, not an instuctor, until she figured it out. Took about 10 minutes more and she was comfortable with it.

If the person mentioned above was failed, and her money returned I would have no problem. Then she can (if the dive shop would allow) try again as my wife did.

 

[Juls64]

If the person mentioned above was failed, and her money returned I would have no problem. (if .

Why should she get her money back?