I failed the pool test!

[PePaw]

Help me understand something...

You want to learn to SCUBA dive. Your boss hooks you up with a class and instructor. The instructor tries to kill you in the pool. You are using gear that doesn't fit properly and some of your bosses gear. BUT...you got the class for cheap and that's OK...you are going to put up with crappy instruction until you get certified, then a friend, who is an instructor is going to help you after you get certified. WHY? To save a few $$$??? Your boss knows what is going on and he/she is OK with it? If you were to get hurt, does he/she know he could also be liable??? I don't mean to be rude, but please, think about what you are doing.

Learning to dive is not something you should take lightly, especially in waters like off the coast of California. If you are serious and want to be a diver, go into a dive store, get fitted with a good mask, snorkel and fins, and buy them. Then, sign up for an open water course with an instructor that follows the rules outlined by his/her agency. Use equipment that is provided by a dive center that is tested and is safe to use. Like everything in life, quality costs some money, but sometimes, you can get away with being cheap. Being cheap in SCUBA can cost you your life. Get some quality instruction.

Twisted...if you want to be a diver, and a safe one, I recommend starting your instruction with an instructor that also cares about your safety. Yeah, it might cost you extra, but isn't your life and safety worth it?

Love this response !
Bottom line is, if it's something you want to do badly. Follow this advice and go for your dreams.
Good-Luck

 

[Kingpatzer]

I'm happy for him that his job has helped him get started. Scuba diving is infectious and not a cheap hobby to get into.

True. But it is still less expensive than a funeral.
Tolerating an instructor who is putting his student's lives at unnecessary risk is foolish.

 

[ClayJar]

I was working on my homework last night, when I came across the following passage (which had a workbook question, too):

Cold, uncomfortable students do not learn easily, but one of the things they do learn is that diving is cold and uncomfortable.

(It seemed particularly relevant to this thread. :biggrin

 

[HRDKOR1]

I'm a new diver myself and your experience sounds totally absurd.

I just dove in 53 degree water over the past weekend and had a full 7mm wetsuit. I was warm but that water is nothing to joke about. Unless you're properly geared for your environment you're not going to have a good experience.

And, as a number of other members have posted already, your instructor should be ultimately concerned with your well being and ensuring that you have a positive experience. If they're forcing you into frigid water when you're just a beginner I think that you're in the wrong place.

Diving is no joke and as a beginner I know this. If you're constantly worried about the water temp, gear, etc., it plays havoc on your mind, which detracts from your safety and overal experinece. I would always make sure that you're comfortable in your environment and if it not comfortable to you never get in the water. There is never anything to prove to anyone other than yourself. Not worth endangering yourself.

And...keep with it. It is an amazing, addictive sport that I'm now enthralled in. Can't wait to dive again.

 

[TwistedGray]

All the gear we had/have fits properly. We used what we had here in the office that did fit and the rest we rented at the LDS.

My boss did NOT know about the pool. After we told him about it, he agreed that we should not have wasted anymore of our time even trying.

I have been working with the other person that needs to re-do his skills tests and we're looking at alternatives. First, we have to get the boss to get his money back. If it were my own money; I would have already got it back. However, because someone else paid for it and will pay for whatever other instructor we have we need to get the money first. I don't have a spare $2-300 lying around nor does the other guy.

Like I said before, my girlfriend's brother is an instructor. Most likely that is who we will go through; however, there are things I have to clear up first (such as the money). Also, have to figure out what to do with the written tests we already completed; do we have to purchase another set of books and re-do it all...? Or can we get our folder back that has all the completed tests? Or will the instructor even give them back...let alone a full refund?

 

[augk]

Well IMHO you might want to talk with with someone from the certifying agency they should be able to transfer your information to another agent of their organization, once you speak to them and discuss your issues. From all that you stated on your original post and the comments from the majority of the replies that you received hear on sb the instructor was in the wrong. As far as a refund goes the least this instructor could do is refund the cost of the course and you should be able to use the same texts within the same certifying agency with another instructor.

 

[Ann Marie]

Like I said before, my girlfriend's brother is an instructor. Most likely that is who we will go through; however, there are things I have to clear up first (such as the money). Also, have to figure out what to do with the written tests we already completed; do we have to purchase another set of books and re-do it all...? Or can we get our folder back that has all the completed tests? Or will the instructor even give them back...let alone a full refund?

Hi Twisted Gray,

You won't have to get a new set of books and re-do it all. You can tell the instructor that you are referring out. That means that you are going to finish your instruction with someone else. He should make copies of everything including the folder for you to take to a new instructor. You will have to complete a new folder for your new instructor, resign all the liability releases and medical questionnaire.

As far as a refund, you'd have to check into the policies of the shop/instructor.

I've read all of the posts and there are some that have a accusatory tone. "You should have known..." type of tone, ya know? Don't worry about those posts; how could you have known something that most students wouldn't know??? You put your trust in someone that IS supposed to know better and THEY failed you! It doesn't matter if you paid $10 or $1,000; you paid a fee to get a service and you are receiving it.

Most people that have posted are concerned about YOU! Diving in that water temperature is unsafe without the proper exposure suit. I'm sorry that this happened to you. I'm sure that it will make you a better dive consumer in the future.

I'm also glad that you have found this board; you should learn a lot.

Welcome!

 

[Jim Lapenta]

This "instructor" is what we in this part of the world call a real "jagoff!"
What's his name?

 

[Shasta_man]

I'll just add my "53 degrees is the temperature of the ocean here. The instructor should have been failed, because there is no way you should be doing this in a swimsuit. My 7MM suit is just enough for that."

 

[CA cowgirl]

True. But it is still less expensive than a funeral.
Tolerating an instructor who is putting his student's lives at unnecessary risk is foolish.

I agree. The hidden message was its an expensive hobby no matter how you do it. Do it wrong, the expense can be your life. Do it well and the expense is a hole in your pocketbook. I sent Tommy a PM to let him know how strongly I feel about his situation. And seeing his post (#85) helps me feel a bit better.