Instructor evaluation.

[coach_izzy]

Let's get one thing clear;

We go to a diving instructor because we want to improve our diving skills, not because want to learn about fitness. There are many great resources focusing on fitness whether general or as it relates to the diver. Fitness to dive is a personal responsibility.

I have had the privilege of having Bob "NW Grateful Diver" as an instructor. Why did I choose Bob? It was not because I was concerned whether he looked like Sigmund Klein but because his reputation as a diving instructor crossed the continent. Believe it or not, the first time I heard about "Grateful Diver" was diving in NJ, where I used to live. The rugged NJ divers do pay attention and respect Bob. That says a lot!

I contacted Bob before moving to the PNW. Many former students of Bob spoke highly of him and I could not wait to learn. And he's been so far the best instructor I have ever had. Every time I came out of the water, I came out a better diver.

I have no problem with strength or endurance work (as when you grapple or long cycle kettlebell drills) but in the water Bob kicked my butt in the rapid swimming portion of gas management. If I respected the man before, my respect increased even more. Bob showed me how skill is a huge component of diving and that was a hurt-pride pill I have kept in mind since.

Is fitness important? Absolutely! There is no questioning the importance of fitness to increase our safety and enjoyment of the dive. Then again, we are all responsible for our own fitness and that is not why we seek the expertise of a diving instructor.

If you are concerned about an instructor being overweight, lead by example! A diver in good condition will stand out and could be the catalyst for an instructor and other divers to take their fitness more seriously. It is easy to criticize and point fingers but that does not solve the problem. Lend a friendly hand, give guidance, and lead others by example.

Like the great Mahatma Gandhi said "Be the Change You Want to See in the World" and be be willing to lend a friendly hand.

My 2 psi.

Happy Training and Safe Diving.

 

[Jax]

Smoking . . . wait, am I going to put my regulator in that mouth? Oh, HELL no!

 

[EVOIXMR]

I'm not really interested in what in instructor looks like or if the smoke or whatever. All I'm interested in is how good of a teacher they are. That's what I am paying them to do.

Ditto,I could care less what they do in their personal time. I'm not their mommy or daddy.
If they are a good teacher is all that matters.

 

[Kingpatzer]

I think it must be only in America where so many people are quick to dismiss being overweight as having a bearing on fitness. That said, I teach students that fitness is an important part of risk management, but that skill is often far, far more important than simply being fit.

 

[50Fathom]

Fitness is important to diving, (and all activities really), and I do consider it.

That said, it's not the final arbiter. I would say, (from discussions with respected tech divers and instructors), that fat content in the body does have an effect on deco and how "crappy" they feel afterwards. Something about subcutaneous fat being a nitrogen sponge compared to muscle.

For example, I recall Bob Sherwood (my fundies instructor) telling me during my fundies class (paraphrased) that he "would do 200-ish(ft) right now, at (his then-current) 220ish(lbs), but I really feel it. 240-280(ft) I like to be around 200(lbs) or so, and if I'm pushing 300(ft) or more, I like to be at 190(lbs) or so. I really can feel the difference in the same deco."

Now, someone like him, who is a diving machine, probably can feel the difference, just like how Phelps or Armstrong or other high-tuned athletes can feel the difference in performance from a single meal. Me? Not yet. "Yet" being operative word. I'm working on it. Someday.

That said, I feel I can learn from anyone. If you got a weight issue, but your information is good and your skills are there, I'll check you out. Hell, I'm not paragon of health myself, with a bit of "three-day desert fat" because I like my hot wings and beer. I say, "a Coors man is a sexy man." LOL. (5'11" and 170 for the record. Should be 155. Summer is coming, so I got the speedo-incentive...)

However, smoking is a HUGE no-no to me as a dive professional. I just can't take a dive pro seriously who smokes. My opinion.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

It's not about making some sort of judgement call on a person. Obesity can cause problems for a diver, a fact that any instructor should be very aware of. So if an instructor were aware of this, and was teaching others to dive shouldn't they present an image of fitness? Or at least general fitness?

"Obesity: Fat tissues have five times the affinity for nitrogen than other body tissues have. Thus these tissues on-gas much more nitrogen than corresponding (in terms of location, duration of exposure, and blood flow) tissues. For these reasons the risks of decompression sickness are increased in the diver who is obese."

"This is why obesity is a relative contraindication for diving."

"Tobacco/Nicotine: Increases in blood pressure and heart rate.
Coronary vasoconstriction.
Bronchoconstriction.
Decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
Interference with physical performance."

Diving Science, Essential physiology and medicine for divers
Strauss, MD and Aksenov, PhD

I realize there is a difference between obese and overweight. But considering the above, do instructors that smoke and/or are obese ignore these risks?

As I mentioned earlier, experience trumps all. An instructor is sharing what they have learned from their own training and experience.

But these are elements of diving and dive training, so fitness and smoking do play a part. I know the points made about a smoker that can outrun a non-smoker, I've heard smokers say things like that when trying to justify smoking or minimize the negative effects.

I don't necessarily want to go to a driving school where the instructors all have numerous DUI's or accidents.

-Mitch

 

[TSandM]

I think you are overcalling the issue. Yes, fat absorbs nitrogen, and yes, that probably has implications for decompression. That may well be pertinent for technical instructors, and as I already said, a technical instructor who is obese doesn't sit well with me.

But for recreational diving, there is generally so much conservativism built into the tables or algorithms that your overweight instructor is actually still quite unlikely to get bent. If someone is so heavy or so unfit that they can't help a student who is exhausted or who can't get out of the water, that's an issue. But if they can do those things, then I think what they know and how well they express it and model it, and guide students to emulate it, is far more important than how big they are.

 

[j yaeger]

i "quit" diving for almost 15 yrs
because it was tooo hard to keep them lit underwater
it's a addiction i had since i was 12 yrs old,and i really hate people frowning on smokers...
they aint walked that mile...
i havent burned one since 9/11/2001
smoked a lot of air though!!!!!
...oh and mike nelson always put his mask on his face!!!!
maybe thats why so many divers do it now??
have fun
yaeg

 

[Pullmyfinger]

I used to smoke when I was younger and in the Army. I used to do a lot of things back them that I don't do anymore.
As I got older and pulled my head out of my a$s, and I quit.
I never gave it a second thought, I just decided to quit smoking.
I don't know about the "walking that mile" thing. It's a decision that people make, it's not like it's something that "happens" to you.
Speaking for myself, when I was in my early 20's I had to ignore all of the obvious aspects of smoking if I was going to rationalize smoking, and I did.
I matured, decided to pay attention, and made a different choice.
As for the addiction thing, I don't buy it. From what I've read and experieenced, the addictive effects are gone after 3 days or so.
I've sucked up a lot worse for a lot longer than 3 days. I don't think quitting smoking was/is hard to do at all.
Deciding to stop smoking is the only hard part about it.
As for frowning on people that smoke. I don't mind if people smoke. If they enjoy it, do it.
I was only mentioning it in the context of fitness and what instructors teach, and what example they may set an example for. Considering the negative effects on divers.
As for smoking itself, what do I care if you smoke? But if I'm shopping for an instructor, I would rule out a smoker for reasons that I've already mentioned.

-Mitch

 

[PatW]

Well, I have seen a fair number of female instructors who are pretty plump. What is more important, is their knowledge, skill, experience. Being able to spot just how a new diver is messing up and having a good idea of how to help them learn to do it right is far more important than being svelte. Also, having a nice manner goes a long way too. Diving for new divers can be stressful without someone a grating demeanor. Giving instructions and demonstrating things without offending is kind of tricky.

Also being a bit plump can be deceiving. I am a very fit recreational cyclist. You can show up at a ride and see a plump lass or gent who does not look to be in good shape. But when the pace picks up and you are dropping the fashion plates off the back, the chunky types are often right out in front pulling. So don't always judge the book by its cover.