Followup to: Need Advice/Intervention

[g1138]

Follow up Thread to: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/342739-need-advice-intervention.html

So my dad came back home today telling me he bought himself a BC through his LDS. It'll be coming in the mail in a few weeks. He also said that since he can't make his OW checkout dives, his instructor suggested he borrow the shop's gear to practice in our backyard pool.

After listening to the replys in the linked thread I'm warming up a bit more to the idea of diving with my dad in an 8ft pool.
Here's the gist:
My dad's had 3 total pool dives out of 5. The instructor told him he fine and just needs to practice. However I'm not too sure of the instructor, he uses an old book that's that's neither NAUI or PADI. It was published in 1972.
The instructor is a knowledgeable instructor from what I've heard. He doesn't have a set schedule and will work with his students until he feels and they feel like they've got it. His one-man shop however looks someone's garage though.
Bottom line I'm confident he's experienced and knowledgeable, but I'm not sure if his methods are outdated.

So what I'm asking is is this a real bad idea to loan gear to an uncertified student.
If not is there anything I should do before getting in the water with my dad, and is there anything I should do when I'm IN the water with my dad.
Remember just an 8ft pool.

I'm already planning on reviewing everything with him and going through the motions to make sure we're on the same page.

Thanks in advance.

PS if it helps I'm only certified up to Teaching Assistant and Rescue Diver.

 

[g1138]

PPS the book is Discover the Underwater World
By Ralph D. Erickson

I think the books a little dated. What about you guys?
Also I already gave my dad my Basic NAUI book before his class started and he's been reviewing that for his test.

 

[TSandM]

I don't think this is good judgment on the part of the instructor at all. The reason agencies say the instructor has to be in control of the student is because students can make mistakes and do unpredictable things. Now, I would assume that your dad showed this instructor enough comfort and competence that the instructor doesn't think unpredictable behavior is likely -- but either way, he won't be there.

From your standpoint, are you prepared to cope with anything that can happen? Bad things may be unlikely, but if they occur, you're who is there to salvage the situation. And it's your father for whom you are taking (relatively unqualified) responsibility.

It comes down to risk assessment and risk aversion. Would I do this? Quite possibly. Is it a good idea? I certainly wouldn't go that far.

 

[gfyrasng]

Sounds like you either need to talk to the instructor, or find a new dive shop.

 

[sabbath999]

Sounds like you either need to talk to the instructor, or find a new dive shop.

+1

No training agency on the planet would approve of this guy's method.

 

[ScubaSteve]

.....It'll be coming in the mail in a few weeks. He also said that since he can't make his OW checkout dives.....

I might have missed something, but why can he not do his Open Water dives? Because his BC will not be there? Why can he not use the rental gear?

 

[dburg30]

I still feel way too much is being made out of this. We can all agree that he's not certified, we can also agree that since he has a son that seems to be at least 18-20 that this guy is at least 40 or so. Maybe it was listed, I dont know. Anywho. He has had 3 pool dives. He obviously has a grasp on the situation. He could get gear / tank fills if he wanted them from somewhere. Let's admit, this wont be the first person to 'discover scuba' in a pool away from an instructor. The person is old enough to make his own decisions. I feel they have a much better chance of getting in an auto accident today, then having a scuba accident in the pool. The guy isnt breaking any laws, you could say the instructor isnt really helping matters any, but I would hope at least the gear he has is in decent shape, and not something dear ole dad picked up at a garage sale and jumped in the pool with.

With all of that said, I think they should just get in the pool together and work on skills. If they are hoping to be dive buddies, might as well start working on that now. My nephew and I did that at the beach last year. I put his stuff on, and I started in the shallow end just popping my head below water and breathing. Then I kneeled and was breathing, then we went to the 'deep' end of the pool about 6' and we were both in the pool, weighted me on the primary, and him on the octo. He showed me some of the skills and we worked on those. There were times I was in the pool alone, and I survived. Heck I probably would've had a better chance of having an issue just playing in the pool then scuba diving in the pool...

 

[RJP]

He also said that since he can't make his OW checkout dives, his instructor suggested he borrow the shop's gear to practice in our backyard pool.

Need to find a new shop/instructor - with better judgment.

Will there be a problem in an 8ft pool? Probably not.

But what other bad ideas does this instructor have?

 

[knotical]

The certification agency for which I teach, and probably every other certification agency, would probably blanch at the suggestion.

BUT, many of us learned to scuba dive by reading a bit, putting on the gear, and getting wet.

Were I you, my bottom line would be whether I felt comfortable with the situation.

Possible litigation issues aside, I'd be quite comfortable with a sensible, partly trained diver practicing in a pool with a sensible, certified rescue diver / teaching assistant.

Everything has some risk.

 

[ScubaSteve]

This all started with the father just wanting to crawl on the bottom to clean the pool. That is very different from running skills IMO.