Instructors as role models

[TSandM]

This came up on another thread and tied in with a discussion we had this fall with a local instructor.

We had made a trip with him, and were unhappy with some of his behavior on the trip. His reponse was that, when he wasn't teaching, he was "just another diver", and he felt no responsibility to be a role model or to adhere to any code of behavior other than what would be expected from any other diver.

So I wondered if that attitude was common. Do those of you who instruct feel that, even when you are not actually engaged in formal teaching, you have a responsibility to set an example? For those of you who have done purely fun diving in the company of people who are known to be instructors, have you been surprised if they have not behaved professionally?

 

[riguerin]

Can you be more specific about the tpye of behaviors in question ?

 

[Vayu]

I have some good instructor rolemodels. Others have been not so good. If you find that their behavior is not on the level you must dive with different people. I see my instructors as buddies and guides. I see many of my routine dive buddies in the same light. Everyone should be on their best behavior around the water regardless of certification. How is what you would expect from an instructor different than what you would expect from "just a normal diver"? I say the instructor is another diver and should act accordingly. This means planning the dive, buddy checking, staying sober, getting rest, being mentally and physically ready to dive, openly communicating, and having the ability to call the dive if needed.

-V

 

[TSandM]

Well, the thread came up as a result of the instructor who accompanied a group of divers without any advanced training on a bounce dive to 200 feet.

The instructor we were unhappy with had mocked us for doing a pre-dive equipment check, and had boasted of falsifying information on a dive log required by the ship.

All of these are behaviors I think are unprofessional. I'm sure people can come up with more. But I guess I'm getting at instructors who demonstrate behaviors when not teaching that they would find unacceptable if shown by their students.

 

[jagfish]

Can you be more specific about the tpye of behaviors in question ?

Yeah, are we talking above or below water...

 

[Tom Smedley]

Being an "Assimilated Medical Mod" is - in my mind - more omninous than being a simple instructor ....

In answer to your question - I always feel "in charge" and even when I am not instructing I must "represent" when I am diving in a crowd. I am also reminded of the Malibu Rum commercials. "What if the we Caribbeans took life as seriously as the rest of the world?"

If one is an instructor and a representative of the industry one should abide by the rules and present a professional image.

Whether or not you realize it - if you are the instructor or the staff member - folks are looking at you and your behavior and your diving technique set an example for those less experienced to follow.

The specific "unprofessional" behavior that you cite must be defined in order to say whether I would do it or not.

I enjoy your posts.

 

[Vayu]

Yeah, are we talking above or below water...

They should act responsible above and below water. I would not dive with such a person as an instructor OR as a buddy. All instructors should recognize the core values of their agency and of the role of the mentor.

Seriously... some of those instructors are a liability to themselves and everybody around them.

-V

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

The only time I've ever chastised anyone while on a dive trip was for diving outside of their experience and training levels.

I wouldn't consider myself a role model but I know some would look to me for that, to a certain degree. So on trips if I were to break a "rule" I certainly wouldn't do it where someone might notice or even become aware of.

I do partake of a beer every so often but so far never on a dive trip.

Yeah while we might not want to we do have a responsibility to set a good exampe.

If we don't practice what we preach, then what we preach is garbage.

 

[sciguyman]

The instructor we were unhappy with had mocked us for doing a pre-dive equipment check, and had boasted of falsifying information on a dive log required by the ship.

.

I find that quite scary that an instructor, of all people, would mock someone for doing a pre-dive equipment check. I'm a relativly new diver ( 8 dives, so I guess that would be a really new diver) and already I've caught things on a predive check. For example, before dive number 7, my buddies air wasn't turned on, and her drysuit neck seal wasn't sealing correctly. Obviously both were found in the check, and rectified before entering the water. The air not being turned on I could see not happening as one gained experience, but it always pays to check.
As many others have probably said, or at least thought, it can only take one momentary lapse of thinking for the worst to happen.

 

[neil]

So I wondered if that attitude was common.

Not with me. I try to be an exemplar in all things diving and non-diving. With moderate success. I might cuss a bit more with friends. This guy sounds like he might be a bit of a weener with students, too. You just don't see him teaching all the time.