Question for newly qualified PADI divers

[BDSC]

Not newly qualified, but I still remember my OW class . . .

We did six evening sessions. They consisted of two hours of theory, and then a relocation to a pool, and an hour and a half of pool time. After four sessions, we did a weekend day of OW dives 1 and 2. Then two more evening class/pool sessions, and the other two OW dives. The whole sequence took three weeks.

I liked the arrangement and the pace, but the nights were very late. With cleaning up and returning gear to the shop, we were never home before 11 pm.

That's exactly how we did it except we did our checkout dives after all the classes and pool time. But it was 6 nights (Tues. & Thurs.) for three weeks. About two hours in class and and hour and a half to two hours in the pool. I also remember the long evenings because I lived like 40 minutes from the shop. Then we did two OW dives on a Saturday and then the other two on Sunday. Overall I thought the pace of everything was about right.

 

[luckydays]

I did self study, had to have all five chapters read and questions answered before Saturday Class. There was no option as far as I know about the self study. I was handed a book and told to complete the chapters and knowledge reviews before class.

There were only 4 of us in the class for the pool sessions and 6 for the open water.

On Saturday, Day one, we reviewed a little bit but essentially went straight to the pool and gear. Spent a bit on learning about the gear and its configuration before jumping in the pool. We then tread water and swam laps as required. Started donning the gear and learning the skills. Practiced on the surface then went to the 4' depth and practiced then went to the bottom of the pool. Did this until 2 pm. Then studied the materials as a group and then took quizzes 1-3. Done for the day by 4 pm.

Sunday, Day two was more of the same. Learned entries, more skills, etc. Finished in the pool around noon, studied the materials, took Quiz 4 and 5, then took the test. Finished by 3 pm.

Following week, Saturday, Day three, open water at quarry. Prepared gear setup, got dive orientation, skills at the surface and at depth of about 30 feet. Did open water dives 1, 2 and 3. Finished by 3 pm

Sunday, Day four, open water at quarry same as Day three except did dive 4. Max depth 35 feet. After logged dives and got temp card, we did two more guided dives with the instructors for fun to see other stuff in the quarry. Certified diver by noon.

Lots of information in a very short time. I still don't think that I learned anything great at the end of the class except that I must breathe at all times and keep an eye (or two) on my pressure gauge. I learned a lot more when I went to Florida last month and know that I will learn more when the quarry opens again in a few months. I am waiting to the AOW until I get some more experience. Not trying to rush anything. I don't think that I am a good diver after the class (not bad but not great) but I am willing to put the work into it to be a better one. I don't know if the class were longer if it would have made a difference but I recognize my limitations and know that I need to get some more dives in before I am ready to be a good diver. I just want to be a good diver and a good dive buddy so patience is the key here.