Instructing with a BP/W??

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

lundysd

Contributor
Scuba Instructor
Messages
363
Reaction score
3
# of dives
I'm a Fish!
I'm considering going to a BP/W from my Ranger, and I'm curious: how many people instruct basic OW using this setup? Do you find that it works well, or does it cause confusion?

Scott
 
I teach in a bp/wing setup and haven't experienced any "confusion" from any students. I personally feel it's good for the students to see the different types of gear available to them.

I also teach using a long hose, which I prefer for a few reasons. #1- it's easier for me to hold the reg in front of them while they perform skills that require the reg to be out of their mouth. #2- It shows them another option, and #3- they become familiar with another type of setup early in their diving, so if they were to ever dive with someone with that type of setup, they'd already have a basic understanding of how it works.

In my experience, if the equipment, along with why I use it and how it's used, is explained prior to the dive, or in the briefing, or buddy check, etc. there's never been an issue.
 
No confusion the scuba skills are still the same have at it
 
Some of the instructors in my OW used BP/W and a long hose. All the instructors in my AOW course used a BP/W and long hose.

I agree that having the long hose deployed for skills is of use to new OW students as it can be immediately available and visible to the student. The only thing made tougher would be removing and redonning the gear in the water or at the surface, but can lead to a healthy discussion around the different configurations that are available and some pros & cons of each :)

Hope you don't mind me providing the "student perspective" :)

Good luck

Bjorn
 
I teach in a bp/w in OW courses. This shows people that there are more options for equipment. It also generates more questions about why I use it. That's a good time to explain the equipment benefits for wreck diving and taking the wreck diving course. In the pool, I use the same equipment as the students. Mostly I do this because I have to give the skill demonstations (no DM's available).

DJ
 
With the increased popularity of BP/Ws, new students would probably it very interesting!
 
BP/W for all courses. I don't own a BC anymore. No confusion. You just need to take a few minutes to explain the differences to students. You might want to check with your LDS, though, if you're teaching for them. They might have a difference of opinion about the different gear.
 
I teach using a BP/W for the openwater portion of the course and a BCD for the confined water (pool) sessions, mainly because I don't want the chlorine in the pool deteriorating the BP/W setup before its time. The BCD is pool dedicated.
 
Has anybody tried teaching with a BP/W and letting open water students also wear a BP/W?
 
Axua:
Has anybody tried teaching with a BP/W and letting open water students also wear a BP/W?

my instructor used a jacket while i used a bp in all my recreational courses from ow to rescue. shouldnt be a problem unless your teaching from an lds that only approves the use of their own products. catch my drift bro?
 

Back
Top Bottom