Inadequate Training

[nereas]

One thing I do feel is inadequate during training and in the diving community is under water communication. The hand signals needs expanding and standardizing across all agencies IMO.

OK?
not OK
Down
UP
Low on air
OOA
Back
SPG pressure?
Look over there
Turn around point

That's all you need, and its a very short list. I would not stress about it.

 

[rakkis]

PADI does air shut down as well. Confined water only.

 

[nereas]

I can see your point in wanting a realistic experience, but since you dropped your reg anyways (and are breathing off your buddy's), does it really matter? I think part of OW training is to get people comfortable diving - I was nervous enough doing it without knowing they were going to 100% cut off my air. We did the air depletion exercise too, but I felt that was fine.

I just finished OW in April, and my experience must be different from most people's since I feel like I had good training. We're doing AOW this week, and have been practicing our OW skills when we dive for fun. Just a couple weeks ago, I was trying to get my husband's attention underwater, and the reg popped out of my mouth. Instead of freaking out, I just remembered my training, exhaled constantly, did the sweep to get it back, and went on about my business.

Sounds like your training was pretty good. You must have had really good instructors. Or you were an extremely bright student. Or both.

 

[nereas]

If there was a problem you would be up sh!t creek without a working reg. If you're sharing air from your buddy's reg, there's no good reason to have your tank turned off at the time.

If something went south, and you had to go back to your own reg you'd be glad that your tank was on.

Your points are all well taken, RJP. That is precisely why the shut-off drill is controversial.

On the other hand, the benefit of the air-shut off drill is to teach the diver what it is like to sense their air running out, so that they then recognize this in the future, and remember the drill, being thus pre-programmed, and are not taken by surprise, nor panic.

It's a two edged argument. I know SSI likes the drill, and I know NAUI does not. I forgot where YMCA comes out on this.

I stand corrected with respect to PADI, thanks to the PADI OWSIs who have contributed.

 

[nereas]

PADI does air shut down as well. Confined water only.

Since when?

Is this a new thing?

Or is it simply that your instructor is an SSI cross-over?

 

[nereas]

...If you want a huge challenge and high failure rates there are plenty of tech courses out there later on...

how true !!!

 

[RiverRat]

Since when?

Is this a new thing?

Or is it simply that your instructor is an SSI cross-over?

I did it 4 years ago and if I recall was done in the pool class I helped with not too long ago. The instructor shuts down the valve, waits for OOA signal and kicks it back on.

 

[nereas]

I did it 4 years ago and if I recall was done in the pool class I helped with not too long ago. The instructor shuts down the valve, waits for OOA signal and kicks it back on.

I will be diving this coming weekend with a friend who is a current PADI instructor, and I will ask him about it.

 

[RiverRat]

Yeah I don't have the recent material as I'm just a barebones divemaster
I'll dig into my old books, curious now.

 

[letsgodiving]

OK?
not OK
Down
UP
Low on air
OOA
Back
SPG pressure?
Look over there
Turn around point

That's all you need, and its a very short list. I would not stress about it.

There are a lot more than that already but not everyone uses them and they aren't standardized.

How much air do you have.
Ascend to a particular depth.
Descend to a particular depth.
Stop, wait here.
Stay together.
Move apart a little.
You lead, I'll follow.
Stay at this depth.
Slow down.
I am cold.
I am out of breath.