OW Class in a BP/W.... PADI version

[TSandM]

There is no video of students on BCS's website. There are photographs from an OW class here.

I love that site, though, because it does have some of the most fun scuba videos of caves and wrecks!

 

[isurus]

Uhm ... I take it back a picture is merely a moment in time. I'd like to see a few videos with 1st and 2nd dive students. Every now and then there is a class with a natural, someone comfortable around the water all their life, they just get it nearly instantly. So of course I believe it's possible and retract my scepticism, I've seen it and taught it. But I'd sure love to see a continous video of first dive from this instruction group ... a full 20-30 min video uninterrupted, that would be a sweet model.

If we got you a continuous video of such an ideal looking o/w class do you promise to wander the blocks to padi hq mentioned in your profile and deliver it to them for their consideration when setting future standards -

 

[plankspanker]

And a student making a decent attempt at emulating him:

even though this is probably an adult in the picture I still have the urge to say "awwwwww how cute" like it is a picture of a 4 year old wearing his dads shoes or something....

Good job though, who cares if they crashed 2 seconds after the picture was taken at least they are on the right track. Not saying they did crash, just responding to the post about capturing a moment in time.

 

[DiverBuoy]

Lol .. you know that PADI will NEVER change. I learned that lesson years ago. The battle that can be won is to change ourselves and those we have influence over, for the better. I do my humble best to lead the way. Please post the link to the videos referenced herein.

Contact BCS (on this board). I'm sure he has video. There might even be some on his website but I don't remember the URL. You could always try it in your own classes. Give them a chance to get off their knees, they can do it.

LOL. We've been around about this so many times before. All I can say is you know nothing about the classes I've taught or assisted. What I'd like to see is how others have done it, a video should nicely reveal the full scope of logistics, signals, positioning, organization, etc ... there is always something to learn.

 

[MikeFerrara]

Please post the link to the videos referenced herein.

I don't have any links. You're the one who asked for video and I told you who might have some. Send him a PM or give him a call.

LOL. We've been around about this so many times before. All I can say is you know nothing about the classes I've taught or assisted.

And what's more, I don't care anything about the classes that you've taught. You said that you wanted video for proof or something. I just made some suggestions on how you can get some proof. Where you take it from there is up to you and doesn't matter one way or the other to me.

 

[DiverBuoy]

I don't have any links. You're the one who asked for video and I told you who might have some. Send him a PM or give him a call.

And what's more, I don't care anything about the classes that you've taught. You said that you wanted video for proof or something. I just made some suggestions on how you can get some proof. Where you take it from there is up to you and doesn't matter one way or the other to me.

Whatever. No one asked you to care. It's not personal, nor do I intend to make a private request. Unless the videographer has some reservations about public exposure perhaps someone can post links to actual video taken from these classes, if it is at all possible. I'm sincerely interested.

 

[ZenDiva]

I am doing my OW w/ a Golem SS BP/Wing set up.....my instructor told me it's a very unusual request...however....he has a DM h elping in the class who's wearing the same gear configuration as I am...and the instructor is using a regular Vest style BC set up as that's what the others in the class are training with............

I knew I wanted to go w/ a BP/W set up rather then a vest style BC....and preferred to train w/ what I want to use rather then learn w/ one thing and then have to refigure and reconfigure everything when switching over to the BP/W set up

*smile*

 

[ArcticDiver]

Was off getting thawed out when Snowbear posted this. So a bit late giving an input.

For you skeptics: This is the real deal. Scott is committed to a specific diving ideal. He lives it, breathes it and is willing to teach it to anyone who wants to learn. However, unlike some folks, he acknowledges that there is more than one "Right Way". His is just more fun and easier, once learned. His students' performance reflects his commitment.

But Scott isn't the only one like this here: We are fortunate to have two great LDS' with two fine instructors. Different philosophies. But, I've seen similiar results from students from both shops. If I could post pictures of students from the other shop you would see the same, except the gear wouldn't all be BP/W.

As for Snowbear, well that is a story unto itself. She is the one who showed me what it was like to Team Dive. I just wish I lived closer to the water so I could experience it more often.

.

 

[Tollie]

Following is an attached picture (I hope I have done this correctly) of a student that completed her PADI o/w course with me yesterday. This was taken on dive 4. Some of the gear she brought down with her from the north. I train my students within PADI standards using a bp/w and long hose configuration.

This is not rocket science. What it takes is to reduce ratios for safety and then work with students intensively on training skills while maintaining buoyancy and trim in mid water.

Was she perfect… no but she was a much more confident and comfortable diver than she would have been with an on your knees approach.

PADI does not need to change. The standards are sound its just how we approach them as instructors that need changing. The CESA is really the only skill that PADI specifies exactly how it’s accomplished. The rest needs be taught consistent with safety.

Oh… she was “equipped” with a snorkel folded in a small pouch on this dive.

 

[ArcticDiver]

My perspective on Dive Instruction in General is that it is pretty poor. A person can't teach what they don't know. Most instructors I've personally encountered don't know very much. Even worse they don't know they don't know. Plus, they have a commercial imperative to encourage dependence on their local dive operation. This combined with the remanants of the Diving Is A Macho Adventure mentality creates less than optimum long term results.

But, the example Snowbear posted added to by others proves that properly motivated and experienced instructors can produce competent, comfortable divers. I propose that these divers are in the long run more likely to spend money and to keep the industry financially healthy than what most instructors/shops turn out now.