I complete my OW dives this weekend so of course that means I am newer than new at this. One thing I would like to comment on based on my experience thus far regarding skills involves paying attention to the spg. Personally I think that since frequently checking the spg is the primary means for avoiding an OOA situation, that from the very first CW you should be taught to check the gauge frequently and required to do so. If you do this all through CW and OW it will help develop the habit of doing so when you are out diving once certified. I don't know how other instructors handle this and I'm definitly not bashing mine, I just think its something that should be done.
I also think more time should be spent on handling and transporting tanks safely. Working in the chemical industry, safety around HP tanks has been ingraned in me from the getgo. I didn't think enough time was spent in class covering handling tanks safely for someone who has never been around them. There are some really impressive videos showing what happens when the valve gets knocked off a tank etc. Really drives the point home.
As for diving skills, I am treating my OW course as a permit to get tanks filled so I can practice skills I learned (obviously not truely mastered) in class. It also allows me to confirm I enjoy the sport and decide where to go from there. The person who compared it to a learners permit I agree with wholeheartedly.
You have to practice some skills with someone to critque you to really get it right. For example in the CW classes, I have not learned (figured out) how to "feel" where I am in the water. Meaning that I couldn't tell my tank was actually out of the water when swimming the pool. Its a 4-7' pool. I don't know how close to the bottom I should be without actually touching it.
One thing I am definitly figuring out from this board is that everything should be done slow and easy under water. Beginners are always nervous and will tend to hury to get through the skill. A class that is on a fast track would seem to encourage this hurry up mistake we make. Our pool sessions were once a week for about 2 hours so that didn't feel rushed. But you're under water and the instructor points from student to student to do the skill it leads to a rushed feeling. I have adoped using the stop signal to slow things down for the mask clearing which i have had problems with. The point I am trying to make here is that if instructors helped ingrane "slow and easy" from the getgo I think it would help students learn and perform skills better.
Just some thoughts from a newby who doesn't know much yet.
Judy
I also think more time should be spent on handling and transporting tanks safely. Working in the chemical industry, safety around HP tanks has been ingraned in me from the getgo. I didn't think enough time was spent in class covering handling tanks safely for someone who has never been around them. There are some really impressive videos showing what happens when the valve gets knocked off a tank etc. Really drives the point home.
As for diving skills, I am treating my OW course as a permit to get tanks filled so I can practice skills I learned (obviously not truely mastered) in class. It also allows me to confirm I enjoy the sport and decide where to go from there. The person who compared it to a learners permit I agree with wholeheartedly.
You have to practice some skills with someone to critque you to really get it right. For example in the CW classes, I have not learned (figured out) how to "feel" where I am in the water. Meaning that I couldn't tell my tank was actually out of the water when swimming the pool. Its a 4-7' pool. I don't know how close to the bottom I should be without actually touching it.
One thing I am definitly figuring out from this board is that everything should be done slow and easy under water. Beginners are always nervous and will tend to hury to get through the skill. A class that is on a fast track would seem to encourage this hurry up mistake we make. Our pool sessions were once a week for about 2 hours so that didn't feel rushed. But you're under water and the instructor points from student to student to do the skill it leads to a rushed feeling. I have adoped using the stop signal to slow things down for the mask clearing which i have had problems with. The point I am trying to make here is that if instructors helped ingrane "slow and easy" from the getgo I think it would help students learn and perform skills better.
Just some thoughts from a newby who doesn't know much yet.
Judy
