How did they pass?

[Walter]

Unfortunately, the situation you describe is common. A student is ultimately responsible for his own education in any field, but an instructor has an obligation to present a quality course. All too often a dive student is not aware of the difference between a quality course and a poor one as they have no frame of reference.

Many people want to dive. Others want to learn and diving is one of the things they want to learn. Those who just want to dive will take the quickest, cheapest class available. Those who want to learn will study, those who are really interested in learning will interview instructors prior to deciding which class to take. Some are unaware there's a difference between classes.

We live in an instant gratification society, they want it now. If you can deliver it faster and easier than the next guy you'll be able to sell more classes.

"This really has me concerned about the quality of divers that are out there."

This has concerned me for many, many years. Keep diving, you'll see much worse as time goes on.

DSSW,

WWW™

 

[solodiver]

well at least the 2 to 3 dives a year persons are easy to spot.. they for get how to set up their gear. and of course it always rental gear. when talking to a perspective dive buddy Q like how long you been diving and how many dive you got and when was the last time you were diving well give you a good indication of their Experienced. and worst thing that well happen is I well play mother hen to another so called Experienced diver..

Dive safe.. but Dive often..
Barry

 

[chiara]

Just one more thing: people do get bumped out of OW courses!

Some people are just never meant to dive and a good instructor should be able to spot them, if not immediately, then at least after a few pool sessions.

How do I know?

Well it happened just a couple of weeks ago at my club, the student never managed to read the book (in four months), never did the knowledge reviews, never showed up for the videos, and was a total disaster in the pool.

She only paid half the fees, the instructor is not asking for the rest, but he won't give anything back, he paid for equipment rental, he spent a lot of time for nothing.

 

[scubabunny]

One question. Was your test the final test and are you certified? If not, then there are more tests to come. The module tests are given so the instructors know what to focus on with each student.

Taking off you mask..I have yet to take of my mask since I've been certified. This is not something that is done on normal dive..unless absolutely necessary. My first certified dive felt so weird...didn't have to do ANYTHING but look at the fish. I kept expecting to have to kneel and take my mask off...but it never happened. But, I knew I could do it if I had too. I did get my reg kicked out of my mouth...once. I just followed what I learned automatically even though I hated the skill in open water.

As for your instructor...is he an employee of the shop (works in retail too) or is he contracted? Most instructors that are contracted really don't know much about gear (my personal experience) ...except their own. I work in a dive shop, and we constantly have new things coming in. It is hard for the staff to keep up with everything. I agree that instructors should know more about gear, but that is a training issue. That doesn't mean that he doesn't know what he is doing when instructing is involved.

The air thing does kind of scare me. I think he DEFINITELY needs more training in this aspect!

I'm not arguing with you. If you are not comfortable, find another instructor or another agency. This is just another opinion.

 

[scubabunny]

Big James, here is a tip. I don't know if Blue Grotto is a boat dive or beach dive...but I'm guessing a boat dive.

Best thing to do one you get in the water is either surface and swim away from the entry point if you have to wait for your buddy; or if your buddy entered with you..just desend. It sounds to me that you were hanging out right under the entry points at shallow depths. That is not a good thing, especially when you are dealing with new/vacation divers that do not know to look for bubbles. Even experienced divers have a hard time seeing the bubbles in rough seas.

If you want to stay underwater instead of surfacing waiting for your buddy, best bet is to hover under the boat or away from the enterence point.

Hope this helps. And congrats on getting certified!!

 

[MikeFerrara]

Blue Grotto is a grotto. No boats. If I remember, I haven't been there for a while, there is a platform almost directly under the dock where people enter. When I was there I saw divers do some unbelievable things. We had neatly stacked some extra lead on one of the platforms. We had some new equipment and we were playing with trim. Some other divers who were way under weighted pulled themselves down the line and took my weights. Not only were they poor divers but they had no manners. Where I come from thats theft.

 

[earlj]

As was once said to me, "They give certificates out in medical school for marks between 51% and 100%. Where does your doctor stand?" That's probably not true, but I take it to mean that everybody has to be judged on their individual performance and what they bring to the table.

I guess if we all try to be the best we can be, it will cut down on the incident rate.

Keep learning, keep practising. Expect perfection and settle for excellenc.

 

[earlj]

As was once said to me, "They give certificates out in medical school for marks between 51% and 100%. Where does your doctor stand?" That's probably not true, but I take it to mean that everybody has to be judged on their individual performance and what they bring to the table.

I guess if we all try to be the best we can be, it will cut down on the incident rate.

Keep learning, keep practising. Expect perfection and settle for excellence.

 

[Walter]

Scubabunny,

You should practice your skills from time to time. It is not unusual to see me swimming around the reef without my mask, or with one fin, or...........the point is practice.

DSSW,

WWW™

 

[chiara]

I was thinking about something else.

My club instructor will never accept to do the four or five pool sessions one behind the other in one week-end: it is either once or twice a week, and this certainly gives more time for people to think about things and to ask questions at the next opportunity.

I realize you don't have much of a choice when training on some paradise resort, but if you decide to get certified at home, you shouldn't hurry all that much.