Getting the most out of OW class

[Bibendum]

Ok, so I've seen lots of posts throughout the boards about OW cert. classes only teaching the minimum of what you need to know, classes being rushed and students not being prepared or taking it seriously and therefore bringing down the "level" of the class.

As a new student, starting my classes next week (after wanting to do this my whole life), what can I do (other than the obvious of do your homework, pay attention and contribute to class discussions) to get the most out of my training, to not get the minimum out of my class, but the maximum?

I want to be ale to leave my class feeling confident that I have learned what I need to know to be a safe and confident diver (as confident as one can be after getting certified anyway) and to move on toward continuing education.

Any thoughts? Are my sights to high?

Thanks!

 

[jonnythan]

You're totally on the right track if you ask me. Keep an open mind, have focus underwater, read through the ScubaBoard forums, and you'll do great.

 

[Walter]

There are a number of things you can do. Probably the most important is to make sure you have an instructor who plans lots of pool time to work on lots of skills. I have a list of questions you should ask. If you haven't found them and would like to see them, I'll be happy to give them to you.

Next, read additional materials. SCUBA Diving by Dennis Graver is probably the best place to start.

Practice your skills. If you aren't comfortable with a skill, continue to work on that skill until it's second nature.

Once you're certified, continue to practice your skills and dive as often as possible with a mentor (or three) if you can find one (or more).

 

[Bibendum]

I would love to see the list of questions. Could you post them or email them to me? Thanks!

 

[doole]

Good attitiude. Keep asking questions, and find an instructor you can relate to.

I heartily recommend any of John Lippmann's books, too.

Good luck, dive safely and have fun!

 

[spectrum]

Any thoughts? Are my sights to high?
Thanks!

Devour Scubaboard and every issue of Dive Training Magazine you can lay your hands on, great long format features on practical skills. Often a free giveaway at dive shops or available free to students for 6 months.

Make the most of every minute of confined water time. Do detailed virtual dives in your daydreams.

2 weeks and counting till my first checkout dives so I'm just ahead of you.

There seems to be a big difference between courses. As a minimum you should be equipped to learn the art of scuba diving safely. A really good course will get you further down the road from the get go.

Heavy reading in the gear forums may be the best traning to being an informed gear buyer.

There's ton's of expertise around here, thanks again everyone.

Pete

 

[MoonWrasse]

Purchase the OW videos and watch them over and over before taking the class.

 

[CUunderH2O]

Read your training manuals, do your assignments, and don't be afraid to ask any question, no matter how silly you think it is. The more you ask, the more you'll learn. Good instructors like to see enthusiastic students and will help them any way they can. Practice your skills until you're comfortable. As someone already mentioned, Dive Training is a good additional resource.

 

[triton94949]

Ok, so I've seen lots of posts throughout the boards about OW cert. classes only teaching the minimum of what you need to know, classes being rushed and students not being prepared or taking it seriously and therefore bringing down the "level" of the class.

As a new student, starting my classes next week (after wanting to do this my whole life), what can I do (other than the obvious of do your homework, pay attention and contribute to class discussions) to get the most out of my training, to not get the minimum out of my class, but the maximum?

I want to be ale to leave my class feeling confident that I have learned what I need to know to be a safe and confident diver (as confident as one can be after getting certified anyway) and to move on toward continuing education.

Any thoughts? Are my sights to high?

Thanks!

Check around town at the various dive stores and compare how many ocean dives they will take you on. If only 4, that is truly bad. If 7 or more, that is excellent.

NAUI, YMCA, and SSI stores will sometimes schedule 2 weekends of ocean work. That is as good as it gets.

Don't misunderstand though -- it depends on the store not on the agency as far as number of dives go.

 

[Bibendum]

Check around town at the various dive stores and compare how many ocean dives they will take you on. If only 4, that is truly bad. If 7 or more, that is excellent.

NAUI, YMCA, and SSI stores will sometimes schedule 2 weekends of ocean work. That is as good as it gets.

Don't misunderstand though -- it depends on the store not on the agency as far as number of dives go.

I have already settled on a LDS to certify through and we will be doing 4 dives. I checked many stores throughout my area and all did 4 dives (no matter what agency they certified in). There was one store that did 7 or 8 dives, but I had never heard of the agency whose materials they taught, although I did know who they certifed through. I asked some other friends who are certified and they didn't recognize the training materials either. So although they did many dives, the training materials seemed to be a red flag so we picked another option.

As a student I want to be as proactive as possible in order to learn as much as possible. So, now that I am signed up for the classes, I figured this board would be a good place to get suggestions on how to achieve that. Thanks.