ND, I am an IDC Staff Instructor and my husband is a Course Director. So I hope I'm speaking from experience when I say that I find the attitude expressed by some of your Instructors to be a little disconcerting.
"I had that same experience with my Rescue Diver AND Dive Master classes. They just didn't like my OMS IQ. Some divers complained that there was just too much to undo to get me out of the pool or lake. I pointed out that not ALL divers used a vest type BC and to just "get over it". This was about learning to overcome adversity out in the open sea. In the end, the instructor used it's complexity to really challenge the whole class with. I am not sure I was well liked after that ... "
Different strokes for different folks. I *like* the way this Instructor used your setup to the ADVANTAGE of ALL the people participating in your course.
"For the u/w equipment exchange (Divemaster), I was told point blank to wear a vest type BC and that there would be no further discussion about it."
This is complete & utter bunk. The whole point of the exercise is to see how well the DMC handles task loading! It is NOT a timed exercise, nor are you graded on how gracefully you perform the exercise. Just that you remain calm, cool, & collected while having to handle switching gear while buddy breathing. If your Instructor is having a "problem" with your setup, then it's time to talk to his/her boss at your LDS. If they can't talk sense to h/h, then it's time to take your paperwork to another Instructor.
"I have been further counseled that when I do my IDC this December, that I should be sure to only use my vest type BC as well as a weight belt. Of course that is to best replicate what the students will be using, and I understand that."
Once upon a time this was true. And it is still widely held by most CDs that the IDC Candidates must wear weight belts with minimum weight so they can teach the weight belt R&R more effectively. But changes HAVE been made to the PADI GS&P. While no mention is made of Equipment Requirements for Confined Water, in Open water the The Equipment Requirements now read:
"g. Weight system and weights (if necessary for neutral buoyancy)."
I would suggest speaking directly with the CD or IDCS that will you will be taking your IDC from in order to see which way THEY do it.
"Still, I see a great reluctance in the professional dive community to embrace new equipment."
No, just by SOME Instructors!
Pax,
~SubMariner~
"I had that same experience with my Rescue Diver AND Dive Master classes. They just didn't like my OMS IQ. Some divers complained that there was just too much to undo to get me out of the pool or lake. I pointed out that not ALL divers used a vest type BC and to just "get over it". This was about learning to overcome adversity out in the open sea. In the end, the instructor used it's complexity to really challenge the whole class with. I am not sure I was well liked after that ... "
Different strokes for different folks. I *like* the way this Instructor used your setup to the ADVANTAGE of ALL the people participating in your course.
"For the u/w equipment exchange (Divemaster), I was told point blank to wear a vest type BC and that there would be no further discussion about it."
This is complete & utter bunk. The whole point of the exercise is to see how well the DMC handles task loading! It is NOT a timed exercise, nor are you graded on how gracefully you perform the exercise. Just that you remain calm, cool, & collected while having to handle switching gear while buddy breathing. If your Instructor is having a "problem" with your setup, then it's time to talk to his/her boss at your LDS. If they can't talk sense to h/h, then it's time to take your paperwork to another Instructor.
"I have been further counseled that when I do my IDC this December, that I should be sure to only use my vest type BC as well as a weight belt. Of course that is to best replicate what the students will be using, and I understand that."
Once upon a time this was true. And it is still widely held by most CDs that the IDC Candidates must wear weight belts with minimum weight so they can teach the weight belt R&R more effectively. But changes HAVE been made to the PADI GS&P. While no mention is made of Equipment Requirements for Confined Water, in Open water the The Equipment Requirements now read:
"g. Weight system and weights (if necessary for neutral buoyancy)."
I would suggest speaking directly with the CD or IDCS that will you will be taking your IDC from in order to see which way THEY do it.
"Still, I see a great reluctance in the professional dive community to embrace new equipment."
No, just by SOME Instructors!
Pax,
~SubMariner~
