Pool size for OWD training - what's adequate?

[nereas]

...

Yeee...ah.

I started writing back. Then I realized. You're not worth my time.

It's fairly amusing that you think you know something about me, though.

So I take it that Tobin did indeed explain all about the steel backplate weight attachments to you and now you are familiar with them?

And I take it that pricing theory as a function of cost inputs in microeconomics now seems consistent with a scuba business as well?

I actually know nothing about you, other than it doesn't seem that you have taken college econ courses nor dealt with extra-weighted backplates other than the SS 6 lb varieties. Short list. And again, bigger is not better. In this case, less is actually more.

 

[freediver]

So I take it that Tobin did indeed explain all about the steel backplate weight attachments to you and now you are familiar with them?

And I take it that pricing theory as a function of cost inputs in microeconomics now seems consistent with a scuba business as well?

I actually know nothing about you, other than it doesn't seem that you have taken college econ courses nor dealt with extra-weighted backplates other than the SS 6 lb varieties. Short list. And again, bigger is not better. In this case, less is actually more.

I take it he was offering his suggestion to the OP's request for pool suggestions, as we have all offered. Some eliminated, some considered. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[CompuDude]

So I take it that Tobin did indeed explain all about the steel backplate weight attachments to you and now you are familiar with them?

And I take it that pricing theory as a function of cost inputs in microeconomics now seems consistent with a scuba business as well?

I actually know nothing about you, other than it doesn't seem that you have taken college econ courses nor dealt with extra-weighted backplates other than the SS 6 lb varieties. Short list. And again, bigger is not better. In this case, less is actually more.

*sigh*

Since you can't seem to let it go.

Tobin corrected YOU. Not me. YOU were the one suggesting that 14 lb backplates were now "standard" and 5-6 lb backplates were "old fashioned". Tobin does indeed sell add-on weight plates, which can be attached to one of his STANDARD 5 lb (or so) back plates. There are a few other places that sell specifically heavy plates as well, but they are the exception rather than the rule. The vast majority of bp/w divers out there use standard 5-6 lb steel, or aluminum plates. I suggest you inquire of Tobin how many weight plates he sells compared to how many 5 lb plates. I suspect he'd be willing to tell you at least the ratio, if not specific numbers.

And yes I have taken college econ courses, not that it's relevant. The OP asked for opinions on the smallest ideal size pool to teach scuba in. I gave my opinion. Nothing more, nothing less. College level, or even preschool level econ classes have nothing to do with my estimation of the smallest size pool I would prefer to learn Scuba skills in.

Now I'm going to go remind myself to never wrestle a pig.

 

[KOMPRESSOR]

Allright guys, quit it right there, please?
My starting question was what pool size is adequate for basic OWD training, with small groups of max 4 students. -More likely two and two. So there's no way I could even consider a BIG pool. Hopefully we're talking a just big enough pool behind a glass wall inside my shop, and with glass walls to the street so everyone passing can see us in there. The railway station is on the other side of the street, so it would be a great "wall poster" for diving classes!

And there's absolutely no competition in the diving business around here. We're situated in a rural village centre, but with several small cities within 10-30 minutes drive. We will likely educate a 100-150 divers a year at the most, when we're up and running. We do have high costs renting a pool now, so getting our own is likely not such a stupid idea after all. But a big pool? -Don't think so...

Anyways, thanks for constructive posts from many of you!

 

[ClayJar]

Okay, it's almost certainly a completely implausible idea, but it makes me smile to think about it, so I'll toss it out in spite of the almost certain lack of practicality.

Wouldn't it be *too* cool to have the pool be part "dive aquarium"? Instead of setting it in the floor, set above the floor (at least partially), and right in, near, or even *as* the front window. Then have a "happy hour" where you give a discounted fill and free pool time during the station's highest traffic time (or even hop in yourself) as a real eye-grabbing advertisement. If you can get mentioned in some newspapers or broadcasts, even throw in some gimmicks (like underwater chess or something, just to make it interesting to normally uninterested "normal people").

Thick acrylic aquarium windows aren't cheap, unfortunately, and you'd practically have to be a ground-floor sidewalk-facing business in a busy downtown for it to end up being a worthwhile investment, but you must admit, people would be drawn to seeing divers actually diving. (You should see them flock to the exhibits when divers are cleaning the aquariums from the inside.)

Anyway, just a fun, impractical thought.

 

[boulderjohn]

Try this link for a picture of our pool behind a glass wall in our shop:

http://www.oceanfirstdivers.com/class_category.aspx?cid=3&type=8

 

[freediver]

Okay, it's almost certainly a completely implausible idea, but it makes me smile to think about it, so I'll toss it out in spite of the almost certain lack of practicality.

Wouldn't it be *too* cool to have the pool be part "dive aquarium"? Instead of setting it in the floor, set above the floor (at least partially), and right in, near, or even *as* the front window. Then have a "happy hour" where you give a discounted fill and free pool time during the station's highest traffic time (or even hop in yourself) as a real eye-grabbing advertisement. If you can get mentioned in some newspapers or broadcasts, even throw in some gimmicks (like underwater chess or something, just to make it interesting to normally uninterested "normal people").

Thick acrylic aquarium windows aren't cheap, unfortunately, and you'd practically have to be a ground-floor sidewalk-facing business in a busy downtown for it to end up being a worthwhile investment, but you must admit, people would be drawn to seeing divers actually diving. (You should see them flock to the exhibits when divers are cleaning the aquariums from the inside.)

Anyway, just a fun, impractical thought.

That is the most impractical and ridiculous idea I think I have ever heard of........and I like it!

 

[nereas]

*sigh*

...Tobin does indeed sell add-on weight plates, which can be attached to one of his ... 5 lb (or so) back plates. There are a few other places that sell specifically heavy plates as well, but they are the exception rather than the rule. ...

And yes I have taken college econ courses, ...

Now I'm going to go remind myself to never wrestle a pig.

Great! Then we agree on everything!

 

[Jorbar1551]

unless you make your pool to be 100 feet deep like the one in europe...your business will fail!!!!!!!

you should post a pic of the area that you have, so that we can have more of an idea or what you have to work with.

 

[DeepSeaExplorer]

And there's absolutely no competition in the diving business around here. We're situated in a rural village centre, but with several small cities within 10-30 minutes drive. We will likely educate a 100-150 divers a year at the most, when we're up and running. We do have high costs renting a pool now, so getting our own is likely not such a stupid idea after all. But a big pool? -Don't think so...

Anyways, thanks for constructive posts from many of you!

It seems to me with 150 divers per year that building a pool would cost each student $30 to $50 per class. (I'm guesstimating 100k spread over 20 years, plus operation and maintenance.) If you believe the market can support that, it's a great idea. I especially like the indoor pool someone from Austin posted. Otherwise, continuing to rent the pool you're using seems to be the best option. Get a big van to carpool and make an event out of it. And, it's a very cool pool...