Really Bummed

[DIR-Atlanta]

If you are an instructor, then you have the perfect "laboratory" in which to practice these skills on a regular basis - the pool sessions for your classes. An additional benefit is that some of that same attitude towards becoming a better diver will no doubt rub off on your students, probably making them more competent as well.

 

[Cerge]

I will keep this in mind if I don't pass.

Hey Cerge:

Did you get an idea of what happened or what prevented you from passing? I am curious because I am headed to Key Largo in June for my class. Anyway, any pointers you can provide would be appreciated.

Keep your chin up and hopefully you will get there after reviewing everything.

With kindest regards,
Thomas

I tyhink it is important to work on your finning. Also, trim is key!

 

[Peter Guy]

Cerge -- I'm curious about your post and experiences -- probably because I did (eventually) get a Fundies Tech Pass and I'm a new (very new) PADI instructor and a TDI certified Full Cave diver.

You wrote

I had no practice of the skills prior to class.

But you are also a Trimix technical diver. In your prior training you had "no practice" in the various skills? Or were the skills you practiced/used as a TDI Trimix Diver different from (less demanding?) the skill set of the Fundies Class?

On another note -- PLEASE, PLEASE use what you have been taught to raise the bar for your students. I'm convinced that many (most?) students will happily attempt to match what you model.

 

[Cerge]

Hi Cerge,

No reason to feel bad, and it is pretty common not to get a pass on the first try.
Did you feel like you learned from the experience? Do you feel like you know why you didn't pass, and what you need to improve on?
If you want to continue down the DIR path, just keep diving, have fun, dive with other DIR divers, and practice what needs to be brushed up. Don't get caught up in the bad feelings and think you are in some kind of race or mission to pass. Putting that kind of pressure on yourself serves no purpose.
Good luck to you.

You are right, I need to have a better attitude and keep it light and fun.

 

[OceanMist333]

I'd be bummed too, but the class over at my dive shop is far too expensive for me to foot the bill right now so be happy you can at least do that...

 

[AndyNZ]

So I am a PADI instructor, also I do a lot of technical diving as I am TDI certified through Trimix. I recently took the Fundamentals class and didn't pass.

One possible element of this is that you may have had a lot to "unlearn" before you could learn?

I found Fundies very tough for this very reason, I only passed because my original TDI instructor was very big on trim, position and control.

 

[gxsr_sarge]

So I am a PADI instructor, also I do a lot of technical diving as I am TDI certified through Trimix. I recently took the Fundamentals class and didn't pass.

In fact, I didn't even get a rec pass, only a provisional.... I am feeling rather discouraged and am not sure where to go from here. I like the DIR style and practice, however, I am feeling like I am not that great of a diver after all.

Is it common to not pass on your first try? I had no practice of the skills prior to class.

Cerge,

I feel your pain ... I too got a provisional during Fundies. I was told that I needed to polish up some skills - which I did. After that, I just practiced and drilled. I got my tech pass with the first checkout dive a month later. I also just got a provisional for Cave 1. Yes, it stings, but really, big deal. It's all part of the learning process.

Please know that the skills they teach at the Fundies level are really tough! (Yes, Fundies graduates, think back... way back). I would challenge ANY OW instructor (with even 1000's of dives) to hover prone and motionless in a column of water while removing his/her mask, shutting valves, etc. (i.e. task loading). Ask them to do a backkick and they'll ask "why do I need to know that".

Just take up other folks' offers and practice, practice, practice - you WILL get it and pass.

I am curious because I am headed to Key Largo in June for my class. Anyway, any pointers you can provide would be appreciated.

Thomas, who are you taking Fundies with?

 

[Blackwood]

If you are an instructor, then you have the perfect "laboratory" in which to practice these skills on a regular basis - the pool sessions for your classes. An additional benefit is that some of that same attitude towards becoming a better diver will no doubt rub off on your students, probably making them more competent as well.

I'm not sure that's the case.

Doesn't PADI mandate that instructors must demonstrate exactly what the students are required to perform, and further that they can't teach above standards?

In other words, don't they have to demonstrate everything while in a kneeling position?

(I could easily be wrong... everything I know about PADI I learned from ScubaBoard)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

So I am a PADI instructor, also I do a lot of technical diving as I am TDI certified through Trimix. I recently took the Fundamentals class and didn't pass.

In fact, I didn't even get a rec pass, only a provisional.... I am feeling rather discouraged and am not sure where to go from here. I like the DIR style and practice, however, I am feeling like I am not that great of a diver after all.

Is it common to not pass on your first try? I had no practice of the skills prior to class.

I think it's harder for more experienced divers to pass Fundies than less experienced ones.

Don't feel bummed ... I took Fundies after becoming a NAUI instructor. At the time I had almost 1,000 dives, and had been diving with DIR types for a few years.

I still got a provisional.

I eventually passed, but it took some practice to reinforce behaviors I wasn't used to.

Stick with it ... if your experience turns out anything like mine, you'll look back on it later as a great learning experience.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[TSandM]

As Peter has learned and confirmed, there is NO requirement that all the skills in a PADI class be done on the student's knees, not at all.

There are quite a few instructors here on SB who are PADI and doing things differently.