Herding cats, or tips on managing chaos

[TSandM]

Today, I did my second day of diving as a DMC with a regular OW class. (I've previously dived with Peter on a couple of private classes, with one or two students; they went well.)

The first time I did this, I was asked to lead the tour in Dive 1 as the buddy of one of the more tentative divers in the class. My "buddy" went into passive panic after descent, and I had a horrible time figuring out what to do with her while still leading the dive and keeping track of the people behind me. In the end, I didn't do a good job of any of it, although I managed the diver fairly well.

Today, I was once again given a tentative diver and asked to lead. This diver didn't go totally catatonic on me, but she was struggling VERY hard and clearly very uncomfortable and stressed. Once again, I had a very hard time paying her the amount of attention I felt she needed, and still keeping track of the divers behind me so that I didn't either outswim them, or go too slowly (which, as it turned out, we did).

Does anyone have any tips for leading a dive AND simultaneously keeping an eagle eye on a struggling diver?

As I told one of the DMs after this dive, I feel as though all the skills I've spent so much time learning and honing just don't help me much in this setting. The challenges of DMing are just so different!

 

[wedivebc]

Ahhh, welcome to the real world
Not that I think you don't have a vast amount of experience but training newbie divers is a whole other kettle of fish. I hear all the time "you couldn't pay me enough to do that" and sometimes I feel that way but also after reading your post about diving with a newbie I see that you are expanding your horizons in a whole new direction. This is a good thing. Like every other challenge you encounter you will get better at it. You will eventually grow eyes in the back of your head and you will gain a whole new understanding of the phrase situational awareness. You have previously dived with experienced and competent divers for the most part. Diving with guppies will be very good for you.

Have fun with DMing. Good DMs are a rare breed and I know you will do it well.

Today, I did my second day of diving as a DMC with a regular OW class. (I've previously dived with Peter on a couple of private classes, with one or two students; they went well.)

The first time I did this, I was asked to lead the tour in Dive 1 as the buddy of one of the more tentative divers in the class. My "buddy" went into passive panic after descent, and I had a horrible time figuring out what to do with her while still leading the dive and keeping track of the people behind me. In the end, I didn't do a good job of any of it, although I managed the diver fairly well.

Today, I was once again given a tentative diver and asked to lead. This diver didn't go totally catatonic on me, but she was struggling VERY hard and clearly very uncomfortable and stressed. Once again, I had a very hard time paying her the amount of attention I felt she needed, and still keeping track of the divers behind me so that I didn't either outswim them, or go too slowly (which, as it turned out, we did).

Does anyone have any tips for leading a dive AND simultaneously keeping an eagle eye on a struggling diver?

As I told one of the DMs after this dive, I feel as though all the skills I've spent so much time learning and honing just don't help me much in this setting. The challenges of DMing are just so different!

 

[TMHeimer]

We did our one OW course & checkouts last Nov. just before (not really) it gets too cold here. None of our big group of 11 had major problems, so I look forward to the seasoned pros for some insight on your question. After all your great insight into diving and way more experience than me, can't believe we're both just DMCs now. Kudos for making the jump, as I'm sure your do great. Can't wait 'til I'm done (maybe April when the water warms up to high 30s and the 2 charters we need will go out-so we get some really cool wetsuit diving). You'll probably finish before me and be on to the IDC with me in the dust.

 

[TSandM]

Well, I told one of the DMs there today that I may have a lot of training in other areas, but in this one, I'm a rank beginner!

I have SO much more respect for the DMs that worked with my classes -- this is really hard, and at one point today (after my husband took my problem diver to the surface and told me to join the rest of the group) I thought, "This really isn't very much fun, and I'm not at all sure I want to do it." But I recognize that I am, in fact, really spoiled by diving with the people I usually dive with, and this is a direction to grow as a diver. But like everything else I've done, it's not coming easily!

So, again, for you guys who are doing this regularly, HOW do you keep track of the rest of the group, if you're leading AND buddied up with a diver who isn't doing particularly well?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

It depends on the rest of the group. If a diver is struggling that much the best thing is to end the dive for that diver, take the entire group to the surface. Escort the struggling diver to the shore or boat or have another DM or the instructor do so if they are available. then descend and finish the dive with the rest of the group. Someone in that much distress is not ready to be doing OW checkouts and should go back into the pool with the instructor to address the issues that are causing the problems.

If you as a DM are paired with a diver that is this much of an issue you should be using your judgment and turning the lead or the diver over to the instructor or other DM. This is one of the key points in my failure of the buddy system presentation. The false belief that a DM can lead a group and be a proper buddy to any one diver. You are either leading the group or a buddy to the struggling diver. You cannot be both and frankly the instructor should not have allowed you to be in that position. That was irresponsible and had something happened you both would have been accountable. But the instructor would have born more of the responsibility. Especially as a DM candidate. You have your hands full with either. I would not have permitted you to take on both roles on only your second time out as DMC in open water.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Another thought that just occurred to me is that with properly trained divers fresh out of OW classes they should not be like herding cats. They all should be in proper buddy position and within sight of you at all times. If you are leading the dive remember that you DO NOT set the pace of the dive. The slowest diver or buddy team does. Unless that pace puts the rest of the group at risk. Otherwise it is not a race.

 

[herman]

Welcome to the wonderful world of DMing. It can be challenging keeping up with them. Learning to swim on your back while staying on course and not running into things is a skill well worth knowing but not taught in any tech class. Trim and proper swimming technique at times need to be compromised for a better vantage point.

I just wish it would warm back up, I miss the students. Seeing the smiles and getting excited emails from the students makes all the work worth it.

 

[Web Monkey]

The first time I did this, I was asked to lead the tour in Dive 1 as the buddy of one of the more tentative divers in the class. My "buddy" went into passive panic after descent, and I had a horrible time figuring out what to do with her while still leading the dive and keeping track of the people behind me. In the end, I didn't do a good job of any of it, although I managed the diver fairly well.

That's not surprising, since it's impossible to do a good job leading a dive while handling a situation that requires your attention.

Does anyone have any tips for leading a dive AND simultaneously keeping an eagle eye on a struggling diver?

As I told one of the DMs after this dive, I feel as though all the skills I've spent so much time learning and honing just don't help me much in this setting. The challenges of DMing are just so different!

Yes. Bring more help. Chances are excellent that someone will have a problem with something, so before anybody ever gets wet, you need to plan how you're going to handle it with minimal risk and stress.

AFAIK, this is actually impossible to do properly with one person, since the diver with a problem could easily be OOA, panicked, or otherwise require 100% of your attention.

As long as you can hand off the person with the problem, or the rest of the group to your backup, everything is just fine. As soon as you have to leave a bunch of random divers wandering around alone, it's just a setup for trouble.

Terry

 

[Doc]

Eyes in the back of your head?

For the cost of an automotive "baby mirror" and a velcro watch band.

 

[Indian Valley Scuba]

Seems like there needed to be some choices made here. Are you a buddy to a tentative diver, or are you the leader of the tour?

If the first, then that is your only responsibilty. Not to be callous, but the heck with the rest of the group, be a responsible buddy and make the dive a great one for the one diver you are responsible for.

If the second, who on earth burdened you with a not-ready-for-prime-time diver, and at the same time, told you to lead the group? The instructor running the show? What were they thinking?