Questions for Instructors

[Tavi]

Hi,

How many of you teach with the long hose and a bungied back-up??
How many teach wearing BP and Wings??

My last 25 dives have been with a 5' hose and bungied back-up, My last 40 or so dives have been with BP and wings.

I recently started a NAUI ITC. I switched my regs back to a Primary and octo. I thought it would be easier for working with students, demonstrations, practicing skills etc. I also thought it would make doff and don a lot easier. I also started using my Trans-pac II again, for a pool BC.

Already I want to set up an Aluminum Plate for pool use. I like it a lot better than a BC.
I'm thinking about switching my regs back too! it would give students a chance to see another way of doing things. I've already had one of the students asking me about the long hose, I plan on switching my regs back so I can show them next week.
But, It seems like having the bungied back-up could be a hassle at times for pool skills.

Do any of you use standard set up for pool (what the students are using), but long hose/bungied back-up for open water??

I know some shops tell you what to use.
The shop I'll be working with will allow me to use anything that they can sell. so I am only limited by brands.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!!

 

[DiveTub]

I use a standard Rig BCD/Reg set-up for teaching OW students, it is confusing enough for a new diver as it is, without them having to figure out your gear as well as there own.

Above OW classes I use whatever I feel like using on the day.

If you are planning on teaching for shops, most will want you to rig your gear there way.

If you are planning on teaching private courses do whatever you want, as long as it falls within the S&P's set out for the course you are teaching.

 

[ckharlan66]

I am not an instructor but I can tell you that a local shop here has several GUE trained divers as instructors and I believe that they use traditional rigs in the pool to demonstrate the skills and teach the students how to do them and then for the open water they use the BP and long hose. This allows the student to learn with the rig they are using and also to see other possible rigs they could use before they finish OW.

Chad

 

[Tavi]

You're quick with the replies

I guess it makes the most sense to use what the students are using in the pool (for open water students). I like the Idea of using my BP and long hose for open water though.

I like your reasoning Chad

Looking forward to more responses.

 

[ckharlan66]

I hope it helps.

It also lets them see something that they might might see if they ever buddy up with others and you can introduce how air sharing, etc. is done with the long hose so it isn't a shock if they ever run into it in the future.

Good luck.

Chad

 

[cudachaser]

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[Rec2Tek]

in BP/wings with bungied backup and long hose. My open water students also learn in BP/Wings and bungied back up and long hose. I teach independently, so I don't have the conflict of interest of selling gear I don't believe in, just because that's all the shop can get. Hope this helps

 

[Northeastwrecks]

Most of the pro staff at my LDS teach in BP&Wings. We also us a 7" hose and bungeed octo.

We show the students the differences and explain why the stuff we use is appropriate for our type of diving. We also discuss other configurations.

 

[The Chairman]

but in the pool, I use pretty much what the kids are using. I demonstrate and they mimic. Wearing different than what they are using will only add more variables than they need. If they are wearing a BP and wings, then teach in a BP and wings. The only departure from this, is that my BC is a back inflate (Oceanic Chute II) while they have a vest style BC.

However, once they have MASTERED all of the pool skills I start to change my set-up. On their first set of OW dives, I keep my BC, but go to my steel tank with an H-Valve. I also use my 7' hose and bungeed backup and we all discuss how to share air with me. I also tell them that this is the time for them to show off all of those skills that they have MASTERED in the pool. I don't need to demo anything... they have it down pat. BTW, these dives are usually in Alexander Springs.

On their second set of dives, I go to my BP and wings and a set of doubles. This gives them some more exposure to the gear available and how it is worn. Of course, I am using the same set of regs, so I am building on what I am diving. The biggest benefit to this, is that I do not need to switch tanks between dives. I can concentrate on helping and counseling students. Since we are on a boat in the ocean, I have a bit more free time to explain how diving is different than from the shore.

 

[ElectricZombie]

I use my BP, bungied backup and 7ft hose for everything. It does not present any problems while teaching. Other BCs don't fit correctly or do what I require so, I don't really have a choice anyway.

At least this way, they get to see various gear configurations. On a typical dive boat, everyone has different gear configurations. They need to be prepared for this fact.