Gue? Dsat? Tdi?

[ScubaGypsy]

I have heard of all different kinds of instructors - great to horrible - from the various tech agencies.

Except GUE. Never heard of a bad one yet.

That should tell you something.

GUE instructors are certainly skilled divers but this does not necessarily translate to being a good and effective instructor. Personally I have been very disappointed with the 3 different GUE instructors that I have met. I believe in the GUE training and skills philosophy but I still seek better instructors than those that I have met.

Regardless of agency, it is the instructors ability to translate the desired skills into practice that should be the goal of the student when seeking advanced instruction.

 

[Jasonmh]

GUE instructors are certainly skilled divers but this does not necessarily translate to being a good and effective instructor. Personally I have been very disappointed with the 3 different GUE instructors that I have met. I believe in the GUE training and skills philosophy but I still seek better instructors than those that I have met.

What was it about the 3 instructors that you did not like? Did you take instruction from them and did not feel they were effective teachers?

 

[ScubaGypsy]

What was it about the 3 instructors that you did not like? Did you take instruction from them and did not feel they were effective teachers?

I did take Fundies from one and though he is a VERY good diver, I felt that his ability to instruct was poor. I was one of three in the class and I also know that the other two felt the same. I must stress that the material is excellant but there are ways to teach these skills and there are manners that simply turn off a student. It was made clear to me that it wasn't enough that I had the correct equipment, in fact much of it was Halcyon, but because I had not purchased it at his store I was made to feel that this was an issue.

In reference to the other two GUE instructors, they are also both excellant divers. However in both cases it appears that these two instructors are more interested in being macho as opposed to teaching folks how to be one with the environment. I've participated in enough competitive athletic endeavors to know the difference and frankly, I don't wish for my diving to be a competitive event but rather a skilled practice where I learn to extend my skills in pursuit of new underwater environments. There is no reason to make any type of scuba instruction a competition as though it is a sport, I appreciate my time underwater as a time to become one with the environment.

 

[JeffG]

What was it about the 3 instructors that you did not like? Did you take instruction from them and did not feel they were effective teachers?

The personalities of both student and teacher need to mesh to be completely effective. So certain GUE instructors might not be a good match for a potential student.

I remember some people just hating AG (thinking that he was an arrogant SOB) and I got along fine with him.

 

[Steve R]

The personalities of both student and teacher need to mesh........

I remember some people just hating AG (thinking that he was an arrogant SOB) and I got along fine with him.

so what are you saying here Jeff? lol.

seriously though, I agree with you. being an exellent diver is kinda a given (I hope), but I've seen some pretty demeaning language used at times, that I don't care who you are is bull$hit, and is about as unprofessional as it gets when dealing with paying customers/students under instruction. It is not at all condusive to a proper learning environment, and that should also be a given.

 

[do it easy]

I remember some people just hating AG (thinking that he was an arrogant SOB) and I got along fine with him.

so what are you saying here Jeff? lol.

I think he's saying he has what it takes to be a world class diver

 

[GreenDiverDown]

The personalities of both student and teacher need to mesh to be completely effective. So certain GUE instructors might not be a good match for a potential student.

I remember some people just hating AG (thinking that he was an arrogant SOB) and I got along fine with him.

I think this is HUGE.

Instructors can be fantastic but if the student and instructor don't jive then the educational experience will be... uh... disappointing?

This seems to get overlooked quite often. It's not enough to pick your instructor based on his or her skill as a diver and a teacher or by their particular agency... you gotta do what you can to get a get a feel for if they are right for YOU. That's where getting recommendations from people you know and trust can be of great value. Even better yet... if possible, get to know them first.

Sometimes... the best instructor for someone won't be a GUE instructor.

 

[JeffG]

I think he's saying he has what it takes to be a world class diver

I will be trying a Meg Rebreather tonight.

 

[cmalinowski]

Sometimes... the best instructor for someone won't be a GUE instructor.

Blaspheming heretic!:mooner:

 

[Jasonmh]

I did take Fundies from one and though he is a VERY good diver, I felt that his ability to instruct was poor...

Thanks, that is what I was wondering.