Just getting started

[doghouse]

OK, I am just getting started. I have my first class this weekend.

In preparation for it, I have read the first 2 chapters and reviewed the questions.

The questions seem to be worded to see if you looked at each page and not based on the concepts covered in the book or video.

Are the final exam questions based off these questions or are they more interpretive of the concepts that are being taught?

 

[Dave Zimmerly]

Welcome to the Board doghouse. You didn't tell us what agency your being certified by, hence, hard to answer.

Regards,
Dave (aka "Squirt")

 

[doghouse]

Sorry, I am NOT certified yet, just taking the SSI course.

 

[joewr]

Hi, doghouse,

And welcome to the Board! My, you live in a famous place...for us Civil War--War Between the State--War of Northern Aggression--you pick--buffs!

At any rate, usually the tests follow the book/sample questions darn closely. Oh, there will be a trick question every once and a while so your humility can be tested, but basically they are vanilla.

Remember, what they want is to get you out diving, not to drive you out of the sport. That said, the info is important and can be life saving. Learn it well and practice what you learn.

joewr...stepping down from the pulpit for a time....

 

[LynnhavenDiver]

Welcome to diving. I noticed your from Hampton Roads, Virginia are you takings your classes through Lynnhaven Dive Center. I took my classes there and they were by far the most friendliest people I have ever done business with.

 

[doghouse]

Sorry, It is so easy to misunderstand wordsmithing. I was expecting the questions to be more technical. The funny part is that every technical question I knew down pat. When it came to the "Pick the words of the page" questions I had to go back and look.

I am an engineer so I tend to overthink stuff and over analize things.

In reading the book they say to sniff a burst of air from the tank before putting your regulator on the tank to look for "mist" and smell for rust and oil. Yet in the video they never show anyone doing that step.

Omission? Time to talk to the instructor...

As far as Lynnhaven is concerned, no I am not going to their classes. I am on the other side of the water, and I try to avoid the HRBT like the plague! I have a LDS closer and came highly recomended.

 

[MSilvia]

In reading the book they say to sniff a burst of air from the tank before putting your regulator on the tank to look for "mist" and smell for rust and oil. Yet in the video they never show anyone doing that step.

I don't know the SSI course material, but you can file that one under "a very good idea that's very rarely done in practice". I't a good habit to cultivate, but don't be shocked if you don't see many other divers doing it.

 

[Davetul]

It's been a while, but I think the tests for SSI are a little more than 'what's the 3rd word on page 6 paragraph 2, but not as in depth as I believe you're wondering about. Study the material to learn it, not for the test. You'll have a better diving experience knowing as much as you can learn than just knowing the right answers to the test.

Seems an odd time to be getting certified here...I froze my butt off this morning.

 

[Ice9]

OK, I am just getting started. I have my first class this weekend.

In preparation for it, I have read the first 2 chapters and reviewed the questions.

The questions seem to be worded to see if you looked at each page and not based on the concepts covered in the book or video.

Are the final exam questions based off these questions or are they more interpretive of the concepts that are being taught?

Yow! Where will you be taking the open water portion of the class? Seems a might chilly out there right now, eh?

 

[doghouse]

The OW test will not be for some months yet. I don't know what you guys are complaining about. I grew up in New England where summers were going to Old Orchard Beach, ME! There the average water temp is 63 degrees. Went swimming there all summer and some of the spring and fall. Here with the water in the "deep" south the water is plenty balmy! At 58.3 degrees this morning.

Just joking, don't everyone jump on me about exposure suits <)

I have been reading this board for a little while now and was starting to get very worried as to how little information was in the book vs what was being listed here. As I said I am prob. over thinking this stuff. I will wait and see what the class is like. This has been a dream of mine since high school. Finally getting to the point where I have the time and money to get into the sport. Also enough age to be cautious about what I am doing, the indestructibility of youth has long worn off...