Scared?

[catalinakid]

Are you freaked out? Get yourself a private lesson, it's worth the money!
After a weekend group class I had a panic/freak out in the pool and went home
ready to bail on the open water part of the class. After serious coaxing from hubby and friends I hired a private instructor and it made all the difference in the world.

So if you're discouraged after your group lesson, try a private!

 

[SueMermaid]

I'd say that is good advice.

 

[MikeFerrara]

So...if one class doesn't work...pay extra for another?

I would suggest finding a comprehensive class of a reasonable length as an alternative to two quickies.

 

[catalinakid]

So...if one class doesn't work...pay extra for another?

I would suggest finding a comprehensive class of a reasonable length as an alternative to two quickies.

When you're scared and you're in a group you don't get the individual attention you might need to help address your personal concerns.


Maybe better stated would have been, if you're scared, consider taking a private class instead of a group class to begin with.

 

[diverbrian]

So...if one class doesn't work...pay extra for another?

I would suggest finding a comprehensive class of a reasonable length as an alternative to two quickies.

Mike,

Maybe the private class was taught by someone who teaches the more comprehensive class. The poster didn't appear to tell the entire story.

As well, I have been involved with private classes as a DiveCon. It is amazing how much faster the students absorb the knowledge (and their comfort level) without 4 other students there and the instructor's exclusive focus on the one or two students taking the class. I have been involved with classes lately that I DiveCon for free just to stay in practice as the instructor only has maybe two or three students and doesn't need a certified assistant. Trust me when I say that those classes seem to go very quickly . When there is more staff working the class than students that doesn't hurt.

Not all classes are weekend courses.

 

[Damselfish]

Of course, someone might not know they're going to freak until they actually get in the water and... freak.

Private class might be a good idea for some people. a group class doesn't neccesarily have to be quick or bad for a private class to help someone. On the other hand, a class might just be lame and a different group class would be just good a solution.

 

[MikeFerrara]

The problem with a group class is that it can only go as fast as the slowest student.

As a rule, if some one freaks then something went too fast.

What I'm saying is that I think it's the design of the course that's flawed. If the length of the class is fixed then you might be able to learn faster in a private class. However since most dive classes are meant to progresson on the basis of skill mastery, the class should progress when every one is ready. While this class might last longer, I wouldn't expect students to be freaking.

 

[daveinseattle]

I would suggest finding a comprehensive class of a reasonable length as an alternative to two quickies.

It's pretty easy for experienced divers like yourself to say that , but us newbies don't know any better, though I agree with you. While I didn't panic the first time, I did have an issue with breathing through the regulator and the pace of the class was such that we basically put the regulator in our mouth, deflated and went under. I choked up clorinated salt water and couldn't continue. The next day I did one on one with another instructor, at a slower pace and within 30 mins or so was completely comfortable and did another 30 mins of confined water diving. That is when I really knew that I loved diving and wanted to continue.

Of the five in the class, two dropped the first day, another at the beginning of the open water dives, I was congested and couldn't equalize after 4 meters or so and couldn't finish the OW portion and my student dive buddy was the only one to get certified. My current training is at a local dive center and the programs are much longer, allowing for those that need more time to get it as needed.

Dave

 

[MikeFerrara]

It's pretty easy for experienced divers like yourself to say that , but us newbies don't know any better, though I agree with you. While I didn't panic the first time, I did have an issue with breathing through the regulator and the pace of the class was such that we basically put the regulator in our mouth, deflated and went under. I choked up clorinated salt water and couldn't continue. The next day I did one on one with another instructor, at a slower pace and within 30 mins or so was completely comfortable and did another 30 mins of confined water diving. That is when I really knew that I loved diving and wanted to continue.

Of the five in the class, two dropped the first day, another at the beginning of the open water dives, I was congested and couldn't equalize after 4 meters or so and couldn't finish the OW portion and my student dive buddy was the only one to get certified. My current training is at a local dive center and the programs are much longer, allowing for those that need more time to get it as needed.

Dave

Hi Dave,

That's exactly my point. There are many aspects of diving that can be a real "culture shock" for some students. If skills are broken down sufficiently and enough practice spent on each piece it isn't as much of a shock.

 

[Snowbear]

As a "lowly" divemaster, I thought that was what (at least in part) what we are there for? If a student is having trouble, once they are "shown" the skill by the instructor, it is my job to take the student off and work one-on-one with him/her until s/he is comfortable with the skill? That's actually one of the things I like about being a DM.... I have absolutely zero interest in being an instructor, but to be able to take someone from freakout to often times more competant than the rest of the class is pretty cool
Of course, they then play catch-up with the couple of other skills they missed, but by taking the time to get them over a major (to them) hurdle, it's usually not a problem.