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

[Captain12Pk]

I must agree with DennisW. I learned all of these (with the exception of deploying a SMB) in my Basic OWI class. My OWI class was in 1992 through NASDS, and granted, from what I've observed in newer divers since then began to make me feel that many of the OWI standards have been "laxed". Now that said, many years later I completed my AOW with SSI, and wow did I feel like I was slighted. Everything covered in AOW was covered in my NASDS OWI class, and better. The AOW SSI class seemed to me to be a "Dumbed Down" version of my NASDS OWI class. Wether it be the cirriculum or the instructor, or a combination thereof doesn't matter to me. I take my diving very seriously and when I pay to learn more I expect to learn more ... and be challenged.
That class changed my outlook. It is because of that that I've decided to jump ship so to speak. I doubt I'll ever have another SSI license in my logbook. I'm currently going through the ANDI Safeair training and feel like I'm learning something.
I have wanted to get my Instructors license for some time, mostly for personal satisfaction, but now I want it so that I can do my part to ensure that divers are being properly trained.

 

[limeyx]

0) unified team and standard procedures for as much "stuff" as you can get.

I am constantly amazed at how much a team with a common goal, standard equipment and gases and an attitude of cooperation can positively affect a dive.

Sure, the others on the list (situational awareness, gas planning) are crucial, but I think without a team with a common goal behind it, they dont have as much meaning.

And after taking a cave class, situational awareness has taken on a whole new meaning.

 

[DennisW]

They didn't exist when I taught you to dive.

I wondered about that, but I couldn't remember for sure. Do you teach it or cover it in class now?

 

[Ann Marie]

If you decide to take karate lessons, do you expect to be a black belt after the first week? Same with diving. There are some things more that could be included in basic without a doubt. Basic ow is not designed to cover all things diving related. Most people who dive are vacation divers and dive once a year. That's why courses are set out like they are. If interested, take the course that covers the skills or better yet, dive with an experienced diver that will teach those to you properly. We already cover 3,5,7,8 and 9 in the courses we teach. I agree with gas management could be expounded on.

Couldn't agree more!! I use that analogy in my classes. Continuing education classes are offered. If you haven't taken any, don't whine about what you haven't been taught. D Okay, fire away!:bigun2: )

I just got done teaching an AOW course and was talking about SAC rates and gas management. I offered at the end of a pool session to work with divers on figuering out their SAC rates, no one took me up on my offer. Maybe I should have made them do it, but if they aren't willing to learn, will they?

I've thought about offering a course that takes students from OW to Rescue. I just can't image that most people would want to make the time or money committment when they may not know if they even will enjoy diving.

One of the things that always surprises me is how many adults take their kids diving that have never taken a rescue-type course or a First Aid/CPR course. If something happens, are they going to blame the system for not teaching them rescue skills in open water or are they going to take responsiblity for not taking a course that was offered?

Sometimes people need to take responsibility for themselves. Can you earn your master's degree with one course?

I know I am going to be flamed for this post but why blame just the system?

 

[Walter]

Can you earn your master's degree with one course?

Of course not, but the things mentioned in this thread are easily taught in the OW course. If the goal is to crank 'em out as fast as possible, things get left out. If the goal is to teach a complete OW course and leave advanced topics for the advanced class instead of teaching begining topics in AOW, then these are topics that will be included in OW once they are brought to your attention.

Do you teach it or cover it in class now?

I actually let this slide for way too long, but SMB is now part of my OW class.

 

[deepblueme]

I agree with AnnMarie.

I also think you it should be required that a person has taken CPR before they get out of highschool.

The store I ran had your course plan laid out when you signed up, Classroom/pool then O/W weekend, skip a weekend, AOW/ppb weekend, skip 2 weekends then Rescue weekend. We did the classroom/pool in the skip weeks and if you signed up for the program PPB was a freebie.
About 4 out of 10 would sign up for it.
Maybe 2 out 10 people that didn't would end up taking all the classes.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

I just got done teaching an AOW course and was talking about SAC rates and gas management. I offered at the end of a pool session to work with divers on figuering out their SAC rates, no one took me up on my offer. Maybe I should have made them do it, but if they aren't willing to learn, will they?

I don't "offer", we learn about SAC rates in the classroom then I have them calculate their SAC for every open water dive in the AOW class. My class is longer than most so they can often see an improvement in their SAC rate. I've seen them going back in their logbooks and calculating SAC rates for dives they did prior to taking the class to see how much better they are doing now; I didn't even have to suggest they do that.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[Ann Marie]

Of course not, but the things mentioned in this thread are easily taught in the OW course.

They are things that should be covered in OW.

I happen to cover most of them. I will admit that I don't cover basic technical diving, SMB, and don't get into SAC rates and detailed gas management.

 

[Xizang]

anybody mentioned how to read and use tide tables? also how to determine which way the current is generally moving while still on the boat..

 

[Charlie99]

What is a "trust me" dive, why they are bad.

How to get yourself to listen to the that little voice inside that's saying "Something's not quite right here."

"Meaure twice, cut once". Oops, that's for carpentry not diving.