We are all responsible for teaching

[Akimbo]

[soapbox]
I believe that all divers are responsible for teaching others. Think you don't know enough to teach others yet? Not so. A well thought-out question during a diving class or on Scubaboard teaches others too. Chances are excellent that you aren't the only diver on earth that doesn't understand something, no matter how basic the question. That is one of the many reasons that this forum is a "No flame zone".

At the other end of the experience spectrum: Sharing your understanding with others teaches them and often expands your own. Ask most teachers and instructors. Sentiments like "I learned more from teaching it than taking the class" are widely shared, regardless of the subject.

Life constantly reminds me that there are no stupid questions that are sincerely asked.
[/soapbox]

OK hardcore Scubaboard users, I know that "sopabox" isn't a supported BB code... but it makes a statement.

 

[Dizzi Lizzi]

I have found sometimes I understood a concept, but someone else had a question, that the answer helped me more fully "get" the concept. It broadened my understanding.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I retired from teaching so I could spend more time mentoring. I found myself more often than not telling someone "you don't need another class, let's just go diving and work on it". It's more enjoyable for me, and there are plenty of people out there looking to learn things that really don't require another c-card. My latest protégé will complete his OW class this coming Sunday ... looking forward to taking him diving ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

One of the things I'm grateful about social media (this site, FB) is the connections I've made with other instructors with whom I've met in person or talk to on the phone. It is great to be able to share information on teaching experiences and helping each other out, and just through random conversations, to discover better ways of doing things or correcting things that the standards require. I'm working on training manuals for a course where there isn't a student manual, and it is great the support I've received from people providing feedback, both instructors and new divers. The former helps with "hey you are missing this" or "here is another way to explain that" and the latter for "oh I get this now" or "this needs some work" (as the latter is ultimately my target audience.

I'd like to extend this that it is in everyone's interest to be unselfish about our dives. Take out a new diver and don't sweat the shallow depth or short dive due to their higher SAC.

 

[Vicko]

Yesterday I took another dive master with me on a discovery dive, I learned how to controll a group od 4 very active swimers (swim around them) and he learned how to scan the sea bed in front of him while maintaining eye contact with most of the group at all times (swiming diagonaly)

Both of us had a blast and came out of a mundane experince with new skills that will improve our abillity to teach other people . It was awesome.

 

[blac86]

Absolutely agree, the only caveat I would add is that if someone is currently being taught by an instructor to just let them alone, but absolutely I appreciate all the pointers and tips if gotten from other divers.

 

[ReefGuy]

If you're teaching something to someone, you're refreshing yourself. Win/Win.

 

[Neilwood]

@Akimbo a good point very well made.

I think attitude has a lot to do with it as well. Being open to change is huge - to try to learn from others "I must try doing it that way" or "I will try never to make that mistake" to trying to look back on your own dives and think "Could I have done that better?"

I am still a newbie diver but if I can assist one of my group with anything I will certainly try (such as commenting on trim etc).

 

[Sam Miller III]

@Akimbo

Darn good point !
Give your self a 10 across the board.

As the late great Jim Stewart often stated and I have often repeated;
"You can learn more over a cool one in the dark of the night than in a classroom"
(and I don't consume modern adult beverages)

However I was informed by a super duper "Instructor " at the Blue Hole in NM 2 years ago that there was absolute no diving and no dive instruction until his organization came along- And he was as serious as a hear attack.

The joy of being stupid- and we all know you cant fix stupid

SAM

 

[txgoose]

While I don't disagree with the general idea of your post I would modify it to everyone being responsible for learning. And possibly everyone is responsible for sharing their love of the sport. We all know how we learn best for ourselves, we don't always know how others learn. If we're all actively learning and sharing I think we get to your goal. For me, the onus is on the consumer of information. Granted I love mentoring and someday might enjoy that role as a diver, so I get the challenge of figuring out the right way to deliver information to help someone pick up on the topic. I'm just not sure that all divers are tasked with that challenge. Love of learning cures many an ill.