Things you should know (and didn't learn in OW)

[undefined]

Let me be the first to say that the list of things I don't know is extensive. To that end, I feel that there are several important things that are not being taught, or no longer being taught, in OW that really should be covered. I've read through the wonderful thread on " To those considering an OW class..." and think that it would be beneficial to have a FAQ of sorts (or HOWTO for us Unix types) on things for new divers to know that may have been omitted from their OW class. Feel free to add on topics (or full explanations)

1. How to deploy a SMB / Surface marker
2. Proper safety gear beyond the minimum required equipment to dive.
A. SMB
B. Light
C. Mirror
D. Small dive knife or EMT shears
E. ???
3. Disconnecting LP hose from BCD in case of stuck inflator
4. Proper gas management planning
5. Differences between BP/W, rear inflate, jacket style BCD
6. Introduction to tech diving and the various differences compared to rec
7. Underwater navigation and dive planning with an emphasis on navigation
8. Proper underwater breathing techniques with an emphasis on buoyancy control
9. Streamlining the rigging of ones gear
10. ???

I invite you to add to this list that which you feel should be taught to OW students but is likely not being covered. As there is little standardization in OW classes, as much as we may wish there were, it is always helpful to provide some pointers for those who have an interest but may have endured subpar training.

I ask you - what would you have a OW diver know that they might not already know? Care to share your insight with those that come here right after there OW (who might have been shortchanged on training since the agencies have relaxed their standards)?

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Underwater problem solving and stress management.

 

[Penguinboy]

I did my OW through PADI and I did actually get taught 1 or 2 points on that list. Also is an introduction to Tech Diving really appropriate on an OW course?

I'd like to see divers taught at least basic rescue. That would include lifting an unconcious diver from the bottom (CBL), CPR, AV and others, and more of an emphasis on proper towing. No diver should have to blunder into the world without the knowledge of what to do if something goes really wrong. I did enjoy doing my OW course with PADI so I'm not bashing them but I think that their policy of having the Rescue course further up the scale than AOW isn't so good.

However teaching all this in OW would extend the course by at least 2 days of work probably. Also some are complicated techniques and so are possibly better left to after basic OW skills are done thoroughly, before spending much time on them.

 

[espenskogen]

Let me be the first to say that the list of things I don't know is extensive. To that end, I feel that there are several important things that are not being taught, or no longer being taught, in OW that really should be covered. I've read through the wonderful thread on " To those considering an OW class..." and think that it would be beneficial to have a FAQ of sorts (or HOWTO for us Unix types) on things for new divers to know that may have been omitted from their OW class. Feel free to add on topics (or full explanations)

1. How to deploy a SMB / Surface marker
2. Proper safety gear beyond the minimum required equipment to dive.
A. SMB
B. Light
C. Mirror
D. Small dive knife or EMT shears
E. ???
3. Disconnecting LP hose from BCD in case of stuck inflator
4. Proper gas management planning
5. Differences between BP/W, rear inflate, jacket style BCD
6. Introduction to tech diving and the various differences compared to rec
7. Underwater navigation and dive planning with an emphasis on navigation
8. Proper underwater breathing techniques with an emphasis on buoyancy control
9. Streamlining the rigging of ones gear
10. ???

I invite you to add to this list that which you feel should be taught to OW students but is likely not being covered. As there is little standardization in OW classes, as much as we may wish there were, it is always helpful to provide some pointers for those who have an interest but may have endured subpar training.

I ask you - what would you have a OW diver know that they might not already know? Care to share your insight with those that come here right after there OW (who might have been shortchanged on training since the agencies have relaxed their standards)?

I agree with you that some of the things you have listed should be (And are, in some places) included in the Open Water course. However, I disagree on a couple of points.
I'll go through them in order:


1. How to deploy a SMB / Surface marker

This is essential learning in cold water environments, where we have stuff like poor visibility, waves etc. On a practical level though, with the amount of task loading an open water student experiences on the OW course, it's not always possible to teach this. This is why open water students are encouraged to continue their dive training. I try and always include the SMB deployment in the Advanced course. (I run a pool session for the advanced course as well - Where SMB use is one of the key components)

2. Proper safety gear beyond the minimum required equipment to dive.
A. SMB
Open Water Students learn about all these things, and why they're important -
B. Light
C. Mirror
D. Small dive knife or EMT shears
E. ???
But they don't typically get much in-water training in using them. Should they? Maybe. But there's a lot going on for the open water guys - One thing at the time is the order of the day.

3. Disconnecting LP hose from BCD in case of stuck inflator
This is a part of Confined water dive 2 in the Padi system.

4. Proper gas management planning
Agree - This should be included in a better way than it is at the moment. It doesn't necessarily have to go as far as RMV etc, but some better gass planning than 'surface before you hit 50 bar' is necessary.

5. Differences between BP/W, rear inflate, jacket style BCD
Why confuse the poor students further - As it happens, I teach in BP/W, hog rig and twinset, so my students are exposed to it, but for the majority of recreational divers, a jacket style BC is more than sufficient. Before they buy their own kit, I might advise them to check out the other options, but at this level, the students do not need to start worrying about wings etc.

6. Introduction to tech diving and the various differences compared to rec
Why? Tech is something a small minority of divers do - It's not covered by the recreational agencies, and are usually summed up in courses as 'when you're ready to exceed recreational limits, there is tech training through other agencies'. But divers who will be qualified to 18 meters, do not need to worry about what staged deco, and mixed gas diving is.

7. Underwater navigation and dive planning with an emphasis on navigation
Yes, this is a necessary skill, but it's covered in the advanced course - If it's taught properly. See? The Advanced course isn't ONLY a way for Padi to make more money.

8. Proper underwater breathing techniques with an emphasis on buoyancy control
Right on - Far too little time spent on this during a regular OW course.

9. Streamlining the rigging of ones gear
Absolutely right.


10. Appropriate finning technique
11. Safety drills, and air sharing - 1 minute swimming on shared gas doesn't exactly mean mastery to me.
12. Panic cycle - And how to deal with Underwater problems

E

 

[TSandM]

Situational awareness, especially when it comes to keeping track of one's buddy. This means on descent and ascent, as well as during the dive, and requires good buoyancy control and the ability to control one's position in the water.

 

[undefined]

With regards to the intro to tech - I do not mean to imply that tech diving or any in depth detail should be taught to OW students. What I mean by that is a basic explanation of some of the differences (15 minutes?) so that when the divers go out and see people diving BP/W, doubles, or w/ 7' hoses they don't have the blank deer-in-the-headlights look at that is all too common. Heck, this can go along with the rest of the marketing spiel at the end of the course "If you decide to go further into diving, you might come across tech divers who do things differently.... we happen to teach a tech course for advanced divers"

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I'd add more information regarding various types of tanks, their buoyancy characteristics and valve types. There is this assumption that everyone will only use AL80s with K valves. I'd like to see more info on the pros and cons as well as the different buoyancy characteristics of the different classes of tanks (LP steel, HP steel, AL80, Neutral 80, AL100) as well as more on DIN valves.

 

[merxlin]

I disagree with most of your items for a NEW OW student. In my opinion, if they should teach one thing it should be that receiving your C-card is just like a learners permit for driving. You have demonstrated basic skills and now must go out and improve upon them. I agree that some points of the rescue class, more gas management, and definitely TSandM's comments about situational awareness should be included or stressed more. But new divers have a lot to remember just with the basics, typically have poor buoyancy control, no gas management skills, and everything they see will be new to them. As has often been pointed out, they don't know what they don't know.

I would like to see the OW be classed as "Beginning" or "Basic" Open Water, and the AOW called "Intermediate" or even assign letter grades that are actually based on skills learned. I.e. and "A" diver is beginning OW, "B" would have 3 basic skills (such as deep, nav, S&R, etc. that are actual skills, not Fish ID, boat diver or other fluff. Those can be "Electives"), "C" might include rescue, etc. These are just for example. You get the idea. You would add endorsements to your C-card as you earned them. Until then, you would be identified by your level of learning, not just experience. Just my 25 psi.

 

[eckybay]

I'd add more information regarding various types of tanks, their buoyancy characteristics and valve types. There is this assumption that everyone will only use AL80s with K valves. I'd like to see more info on the pros and cons as well as the different buoyancy characteristics of the different classes of tanks (LP steel, HP steel, AL80, Neutral 80, AL100) as well as more on DIN valves.

I'll second this one. The shop I took classes through used (although I didn't know it at the time) LP steel 80's for their class and rental tanks. The first dive I did on a rental AL80 was not a pretty dive.... Didn't have enough weight with me since I was use to using the steel tank. I've since learned to adjust my weight accordingly depending on where we get tanks from.

 

[deepblueme]

Most of what you listed was included in the PADI course work before the format was changed to "Here is a dvd, watch it then meet me at the pool".
We talked about signaling devices and there need and about the different kind of BCD's, way back in the day even heaven forbid i say it planning Deco dives.

But alas todays consumer wants it NOW,faster and easier.

And if I don't teach it to you someone else will and the may not even cover how to look at you SPG let alone how to share air.