Instructors as role models

[kapula]

The example on this thread propably tells more about that person than instructors in general. I do pre-dive checks still after some 200 dives. It never hurts to be sure. When u/w I'm pretty aware that I'm on my own. Since I dive on holidays and dive masters are mostly young (well I ain't that old myself) dive bums. Some mite have experience and know what they're doing. Others are there just to get to dive for free and don't have any degree of knowledge on any level. Ya sure they're all at least certified dive masters but it's all about the dive operator how experienced divers they take for dm course - I'm pretty pessimistic when it comes to dive masters in general. As I dive with a camera I ain't that keen on reef rocketing anyway Oh well when diving in a group you just need to satisfye all the customers and for most divers that means covering alot of space.

I kinda drifted from the subject No I don't see instructors as role models. They can for example smoke if they want to. It ain't exactly what books teach you to do before or after dive. As long as they know their way u/w it's no problem. On the other hand if there's something funny going on while diving (harassing sea life exc.) I'm sure to discuss it with them. What I'd like dms and instructors to do more is to help their customers to dive better. I mean if no-one tells you for example that you ain't diving streamlined you propably won't notice it any time soon yourself. But then again as guide can't know their customers and some blokes don't like to be told how to do things this can be a little hard. Anyway getting critisism is the only way to get better. For example I'm always happy to hear how to make my photos better, approach some critters etc.

 

[shellbackdiver1]

No, instructors in general are not my role model. Example, instructor that I pick to teach me can be considered my role model. Instructors that I see teaching other students I pay no attention to. What others say and how they act is of no concern of mine. IMO divers should be more concerned about themselves then what others are doing.

 

[cerich]

Everybody is their own person... If those people who did the bounce did it under their own discretion... The instructor wasn't responsible for them... They can only look at themselves for their dumb decisions and be happy that someone who has some training to rescue them was along with them.

No instructor in the world with a alm 80 on his/her back is going to be able to pull off a rescue at 200 ft on air, no matter how in control he/she is. The work and having another distressed diver breathing on the alm 80 will leave both of them out of air while still deep.

What you said is exactly the problem, these folks felt having the instructor along added to safety, nothing could be further from the truth.

 

[Rick Murchison]

... His response was that, when he wasn't teaching, he was "just another diver" ...

Total BS and he knows it. If an instructor wants to be "just another diver" he/she needs to quit instructing and become one.
See Tom Smedley's post above.
--
We define ourselves to a large extent by what we do for a living, what we do for fun, what "ratings" and "ranks" and "titles" and "memberships" we have. Whether you think it's "right" or "fair" just isn't relevant - people do judge your "group" - be it lawyers, doctors, instructors, schoolteachers - by the actions of its individual members, and part of being a (take your pick) is a duty to its tenets and principles and standards.
You know... being an adult... at least a little bit
I do have to add that being a child in some ways is important and healthy. "Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional."
Rick

 

[Thalassamania]

Total BS and he knows it. If an instructor wants to be "just another diver" he/she needs to quit instructing and become one.
See Tom Smedley's post above.
--
We define ourselves to a large extent by what we do for a living, what we do for fun, what "ratings" and "ranks" and "titles" and "memberships" we have. Whether you think it's "right" or "fair" just isn't relevant - people do judge your "group" - be it lawyers, doctors, instructors, schoolteachers - by the actions of its individual members, and part of being a (take your pick) is a duty to its tenets and principles and standards.
You know... being an adult... at least a little bit
I do have to add that being a child in some ways is important and healthy. "Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional."
Rick

What he said!

 

[RJP]

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'd say the person in question is not just a bad role model, they are a bad diver in general. I wouldn't dive with them whether they were an instructor or not.

 

[Wilson]

Total BS and he knows it. If an instructor wants to be "just another diver" he/she needs to quit instructing and become one.

Exactly. Instructors & Divemasters carry insurance for a reason. That is the mantle he chose to carry and he can pretend all he wants, but if there had been an accident on that dive you know who the authorities & lawyers would be looking for. I know guys that only show their OW card when on a boat dive because of this (and they know that, in reality, they're just kidding themselves). It's not a switch you can turn on & off.

This guy who chastised you is probably a jerk in other areas of his life as well.

 

[Luc Dupas]

Nice discussion... but funny one too...
Don't forget an instructor is also a human being, (s)he not God... and actually his only task/role/responsibility is teaching people how to dive and how not to dive, being responsible for a group of less experienced divers, etc. etc. etc. ... and as long as this person is 'acting' as an instructor and taking up his responsibilities as an instructor obviously without any doubt he IS a role model !
On the other hand, in his own time, who cares... Look e.g. at MD's... how many still are smoking while professionally they're telling their patients that smoking is utterly bad for their health...

 

[dumpsterDiver]

In my experience, dive instructors are often some of the very worst divers. I have seen many many examples where they are put in situations that are different from their "normal" dive conditions and they become very nervous. If I asked my dive buddies about bringing a new person on the boat, I am quite sure that they would much rather hear that the guy is qualified rather than finding out that he is an instructor.

I don't generally look to instructors for guidance and have in fact used them (and their students) as negative examples to show my son what not to do.

I think that if an instructor is not in a teaching role, then he should NOT present any certifications that are above the minimum required for the dive. This simple strategy will solve some problems, however if everyone already knows that he is an instructor it will do no good. My experience has been that you should not expect too much from a recreational dive instructor, especially one who has only been doing it for a few years and especially one who will go out of his way to let you know that he is an instructor.

 

[GDI]

When I'm out diving for my enjoyment all to often I get that "extra diver who was looking for a buddy guy" Since this happens routinely I have the following attitude -

I do not believe that a instructor should ever let themselves not be a role model. Why would I change my diving and the presentation of it just because I am in the "Just another diver mode"

One from a business point of view it would be a poor way to gain new customers not to act responsibly. A dive instructor needs to be a professional all the way all the time.
Secondly an instructor really should not pass up the opportunity to demonstrate excellent diving practices and protocols. Instructors need to be mentors either directly when dealing with students or anytime within the public eye
Thirdly when it comes to the safety of diving an instructor should speak up and in a professional manner correct or attempt to correct the situation

NEVER PASS A FAULT