Water skill levels of Open Water students & course pace

[lexir]

(This post might sound angry, but it's not, really. It's just an honest observation from a student diver).

I completed my Open Water course (read my story "Open Water has been a disaster").

I learned a lot and being underwater is much, much less scary than it was when I began, but, I struggled considerably in this class, and I later found out that most of my classmates had various levels of experience in the water (a couple of lifeguards, a former member of a swim team, everyone else participated in various water sports for years).
My only experience was snorkeling, and even then, I have only been snorkeling for a very short time, and I'm a very "average" swimmer. I was comfortable in the water, but was dreading being underwater for 20 to 30 minutes (something I had NEVER done before).
I got the sense that the instructor didn't want to bore the experienced students and moved along quickly. I had to pay for extra one on one sessions (thus the course ended up costing me more money).
Last I checked, the only requirements for the course are being able to swim and tread on water. Shouldn't instructors realize that there will be students who are going to panic and that some skills aren't going to click right away?
Also, I feel the course should be a couple of weeks longer (this course was 6 weeks).
If I take advanced, I'll be looking into one on one, or at least enroll in a class that has 4 or less people.

Thoughts?

 

[TMHeimer]

I'm sure you'll get a lot of responses from instructors and others as these topics come up often. I'll start by saying that so far I have noticed that the few OW courses I have DMd contained a variety of "water-ability-experience" people. I would say that maybe one third showed a "proper" swim stroke during the swim test. I will add that amazingly, I have found that a majority don't seem to have too much of a problem doing the 2 weekends course (one full weekend class/pool only). Some do struggle and say "It's a lot to absorb in a short time". Personally I agree with that. I took the OW course week nights spread over 3 weeks then the ocean weekend. I found the timing of this excellent--lot's of time to absorb what you did that night. We still offer this course, which has the traditional classroom. The weekend ones (every weekend here) now has e learning.

 

[Mr. Black]

I am firmly in the "training standards are too low and courses are too short with the major agencies" camp but what we got to remember is that "most" people do make it through the Open Water Diver course in 4-5 days.

There is a $$$ market rate out there for this course and it has been worked out with 4-5 days and a certain instructor:student ratio in mind.

Some people could do it faster while others need a little more TLC. The solution is to offer those who need more time additional lessons at an additional cost which is fair enough IMHO. Otherwise we'd have to say "allow 10 days for everyone who takes the course" and adjust base pricing accordingly which would price out a bunch of folks who may have been able to breeze through it otherwise...

My recommendation to friends who want to get into diving and probably won't breeze through the open water course is to do private classes either solo or with their intended future buddy. I always had good experience with freelance instructors who specialize in custom/private courses. The large group factory style training realy only works if you are going to breeze through everything with no issues and show up with some pre-requisites already there: OK swimming skills, decent level of aquatic comfort, pre-read all the course material etc.

For your next step I would suggest you look at agencies with more robust training (Welcome | Global Underwater Explorers) or go with freelance instructors who will really attune to you and spend the time to teach you things that will make YOU a safe diver at YOUR pace. In a way agency is not that important if you find a good instructor. Bring your credit card. Quality instruction does cost a bit more than the factor stuff you experienced in your OW course.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

I am firmly in the "training standards are too low and courses are too short with the major agencies" camp but what we got to remember is that "most" people do make it through the Open Water Diver course in 4-5 days.

I am in this camp as well; but less firmly than I used to be.
So much rests on the shoulders of the student(s)....it's up to them to apply themselves and learn.
It takes work to develop the skill set, many don't spend the time to do so.

Cheers,
Mitch

 

[jord1990]

First of all congratulations on getting your cert.
From what I read it wasn't easy but you pushed through it. And from what heard allot of the training depends on the instructor, I had a solo class cause I wanted to get my cert in a faster pace. Therefore I never had problems with not keeping up with the others. I think that the fact that you're thinking about this means you're a thinking diver. And that IMO is very important for becoming a good diver. So even if your class was not that great I'm sure you'll be a great diver.

 

[Jon_R]

It all depends on the student. I help teach defensive firearm classes and the level 1 class you just never know what you are going to get. Some people are competitive shooters and some bought their first gun the week before the class and need help loading it.

Basic open water is like that. In my class we had a person who already had 20 dives with her boyfriend and just needed the class to check a box to get On the charter boats.

I made the mistake of taking the class in March in an unheated pool. All the pool sessions where focused on getting us out of the water ASAP. Granted it was central fl but 67 degree water in a wet suit wears on you at least me. My daughter was fine I chose to roll back to a later class for the cert dives. I spent the time in my heated pool diving and doing the skills so when it warmed up I did 2 pool sessions that where not rushed and off to the cert dives.

I was very comfortable but the first 6 giant strides into 60 feet of salt water still is a little anxious. Now no big deal just takes doing it. I am at 19 dives now hoping for 3 or 4 in the next 7 days.

I recommend you try and get out there early and often. Even if shore dive to 15 feet. My GF is working up to 60 feet. Our last dive was a 18 foot drift dive from a boat then a 33 foot wreck dive. We add in shore dives to just get time in the water to be more comfortable and can always jump in the pool if the gear starts drying out.

It is sort of like driving. At 16 turning the car on is an event to go a few miles. Now it is nothing to jump in the car and go on a multi day road trip.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[cocoajoe]

(This post might sound angry, but it's not, really. It's just an honest observation from a student diver).

I completed my Open Water course (read my story "Open Water has been a disaster").

I learned a lot and being underwater is much, much less scary than it was when I began, but, I struggled considerably in this class, and I later found out that most of my classmates had various levels of experience in the water (a couple of lifeguards, a former member of a swim team, everyone else participated in various water sports for years).
My only experience was snorkeling, and even then, I have only been snorkeling for a very short time, and I'm a very "average" swimmer. I was comfortable in the water, but was dreading being underwater for 20 to 30 minutes (something I had NEVER done before).
I got the sense that the instructor didn't want to bore the experienced students and moved along quickly. I had to pay for extra one on one sessions (thus the course ended up costing me more money).
Last I checked, the only requirements for the course are being able to swim and tread on water. Shouldn't instructors realize that there will be students who are going to panic and that some skills aren't going to click right away?
Also, I feel the course should be a couple of weeks longer (this course was 6 weeks).
If I take advanced, I'll be looking into one on one, or at least enroll in a class that has 4 or less people.

Thoughts?

How many instructors did your class have?

 

[lexir]

How many instructors did your class have?

One instructor, and one to two aides - not certified instructors. In a couple of pools sessions only the instructor was teaching.
To stay as anonymous as I can, I'm not going to say how many students were in the class, only that it was more than four.

 

[Peter Guy]

OP -- Very sorry about your experience BUT, quite frankly, most people would find a 6 week open water course to be extremely long.

 

[lexir]

OP -- Very sorry about your experience BUT, quite frankly, most people would find a 6 week open water course to be extremely long.

So....what exactly are you trying to tell me?

I know I sucked in the beginning, and I still have a long way to go, but I've made huge leaps. Is everyone supposed to breeze through?