Rough day!

[Wildcard]

I was doing my first claas for DM with students today. Everyone but me had gear problems ( was this part of the class?) Then the water was murkey today so I had a tough time keeping track of everyone. Then one of my "students" was sight impared and a diabetic with an insluin pump. She can't see the gagues so I had to read them for her and keep a very close eye on her. Then between dives I ate a tuna sandwich that wanted to reenter the world but wouldn't so I felt like crap for the second dive. Hope tomorrow goes better.

 

[Brian Gilpin]

This sounds like my first class as a divemaster candidate. Suggest you take a close look at the shop and reevaluate whether this is where you want to do your training. From the sound of things the shop needs to spend more time and maybe money on gear. New students typically have problems with gear but these should be sorted out in the shop or in the pool. I would not dive with or help train someone with an insulin pump who cannot read their gauges. You have to wonder whether they should be diving at all.At the very least they should be getting a private class and only be allowed to dive with a helper. Do you agree with a screening process like this? Oh I forgot anyone can learn scuba.

I had warning signs like this and did not heed them. I am just saying to take an objective look around and see if there is a trend.If so get your training elsewhere.

 

[baitedstorm]

she's on a pump? :O the only time I had heard of this being ok was the couple we did a dive with last year, the husband was on the pump and when I asked about the safety, the wife told me her husband wasn't expected to live much longer and the Doc basically said for him to do what ever he was comfortable with and made him happy.

Eeeeek, day one went to crap for you. Just wait, it gets better!!!!

 

[Wildcard]

She was already certed and cleared to dive. She did just fine. These "students" were there to teach me to be a DM, they came along just to help. The gear problems were not from rental gear.

 

[matt_unique]

I was doing my first claas for DM with students today. Everyone but me had gear problems ( was this part of the class?) Then the water was murkey today so I had a tough time keeping track of everyone. Then one of my "students" was sight impared and a diabetic with an insluin pump. She can't see the gagues so I had to read them for her and keep a very close eye on her. Then between dives I ate a tuna sandwich that wanted to reenter the world but wouldn't so I felt like crap for the second dive. Hope tomorrow goes better.

I'm all for people doing what they want to do with the right safety provisions in place. My understanding of diabetes is (certainly limited) but the real danger would be low blood sugar for the time period of a dive rather than high blood sugar which the insulin counteracts. I would think a diabetic diver would need to have some kind of hard candy that would not dissolve in water that he/she could eat underwater should the blood sugar go low.

I also think this diver should have a dedicated buddy to watch gauges.

Anyway talk about your introduction to DM. By the end of it I'm sure you will have on awesome save a dive kit.

--Matt

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

She was already certed and cleared to dive. She did just fine. These "students" were there to teach me to be a DM, they came along just to help. The gear problems were not from rental gear.

Hmmm ... so the "students" were shop staff who were there to help you learn problem management?

Makes me wonder if the tuna sandwich wasn't also a planned part of the curriculum ...

Far better to learn how to deal with these things this way than with real students ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[oceancrest67]

I am sorry for your rough day. Think of it as a learning experience. I have had similar experiences as a DM chasing after students in murky water. The diver with diabetes...what is diving coming to nowadays?? I would not want the responsibility...this person should NOT be diving.

As far as working as a DM...I have decided to take a different route and enjoy diving rather than worry about divers that are NOT cut out to be divers. Hauling tanks for tourists...forget it.

What is the diving world coming to...drive through scuba training for suburbanites who watch Shark Week on the discovery channel.

Just my 02.

 

[Wildcard]

Just frendly people who got free air out of the deal....I spent most of the second dive trying to figure the best way to puke underwater and wishing I had read the thread here.
Felt much better Sunday. Had the instructors college daughter (mmmm) for my "student". Did the UW gear swap buddy breathing. That was intresting, I did it the first try but it wasen't real pretty.
Matt, she does a great job dealing with the BS issue. If you understand the metabolic process and diabetes, it's not hard to deal with. Just gotta keep your eyes on her real close. Im mean crap, she was diving with her own personal paramedic, how much safer can you get?

 

[matt_unique]

Matt, she does a great job dealing with the BS issue. If you understand the metabolic process and diabetes, it's not hard to deal with. Just gotta keep your eyes on her real close. Im mean crap, she was diving with her own personal paramedic, how much safer can you get?

I'm saying I think it's great she dives. I think most people think the problem is with the insulin requirements as opposed to the sugar requirements. I researched this some years ago when I had a diabetic girlfriend. Good for her - kick as* and take names and do what you love to do safely if you are willing to assume the risks.

--Matt