lee08
Contributor
I would like to ask those who have taken a weekend cert class if you feel like your ready for real world diving? If you were the one teaching the class what would you change to make better use of the time?
Weekend Cert Classes
- Thread starter lee08
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
My $.02 on weekend certification courses....they move too fast. We (my wife and I both teach) find that students who have more time to practice and digest all the new information over several class sessions are more comfortable and more proficient in their skills. The standard course is two nights a week for three weeks.
Standard course benefits...
1) Students have time to go home think about what they learned in class, digest the information, and then come back and practice some more.
2) Students have the opportunity to come back and ask questions about the "why" of gear configuration and procedures.
3) Students have the chance to adjust their gear configuration, weighting, etc. until they are comfortable.
Hope this helps.
P.S. My wife and I don't teach weekend courses for all the reasons listed above.
Standard course benefits...
1) Students have time to go home think about what they learned in class, digest the information, and then come back and practice some more.
2) Students have the opportunity to come back and ask questions about the "why" of gear configuration and procedures.
3) Students have the chance to adjust their gear configuration, weighting, etc. until they are comfortable.
Hope this helps.
P.S. My wife and I don't teach weekend courses for all the reasons listed above.
goodknight411
Contributor
Me, my brother, and my dad all took the weekend certs. I think we all felt reasonably comfortable diving on our own after it ( i know i did) , but we were the only ones in the class and had a really good instructor. If i had to do it again i would do the weekend way again.
I also have to add that we were all very comfortable in the water already, didn't have any trouble with the skills.
My 2 cents -- if you think that you will be uncomfortable doing it this way, don't. take the standard course.
I also have to add that we were all very comfortable in the water already, didn't have any trouble with the skills.
My 2 cents -- if you think that you will be uncomfortable doing it this way, don't. take the standard course.
Mmmm...That’s a good question and I don't think it's easily answered.
It all comes down to the instructor and the size of the class. If you have a great instructor then there is a lot of knowledge that they can impart but they are limited by the size of the class and the problems that arise with individuals in the class. More people equal more problems, more problems equal less time spent with other members of the class. An ideal class number is probably 4 and two days with four individuals usually means that by the time they finish they are confident enough to go diving with other more qualified divers, on a group outing.
The trouble with most agencies is that they load the classes to between 10 and 15 students and that’s when it can get a little iffy with regards to competency. I always look at individuals in the class and if I think that they pose any danger whatsoever to another diver I won’t pass them. I’ll either recommend more pool time or a one on one scenario (as long as they are confident in the pool) in the ocean with me. If they are prepared to put the time in I’ll happily give them my time to get them up to standard.
My 2cents.
Coogeeman
:dazzler1:
It all comes down to the instructor and the size of the class. If you have a great instructor then there is a lot of knowledge that they can impart but they are limited by the size of the class and the problems that arise with individuals in the class. More people equal more problems, more problems equal less time spent with other members of the class. An ideal class number is probably 4 and two days with four individuals usually means that by the time they finish they are confident enough to go diving with other more qualified divers, on a group outing.
The trouble with most agencies is that they load the classes to between 10 and 15 students and that’s when it can get a little iffy with regards to competency. I always look at individuals in the class and if I think that they pose any danger whatsoever to another diver I won’t pass them. I’ll either recommend more pool time or a one on one scenario (as long as they are confident in the pool) in the ocean with me. If they are prepared to put the time in I’ll happily give them my time to get them up to standard.
My 2cents.
Coogeeman
:dazzler1:
We do primairly weekend classes... and I love it. First, our system might be a little different. We give the students the entire package with the Video, Book, Workbook, Tables, etc in advance. We also give them the Final Exam they do as a take home test. Then we bring them in Sat morn at 9am, and go over the academics and grade the test. Lunch break, then in the pool all afternoon, come back in Sunday and pool work from 9 until later afternoon.
By doing this format, the info is fresh in their minds - they build on skills they learned hours, or the day before - not 2 or 3 weeks ago. And when you consider the put together, and tear down time, the students get a lot more actual pool time than they do when we do a class in the evening over several weeks. By the time someone works all day, then battles traffic to get to the shop, then get ready and in the pool - there is not a lot of time if you still want to get them out at a decent hour so they don't fall asleep during work the next day!
We found having them dedicate a lot of time to be submersed (pun...) in scuba helps them learn better. Of course, if they need any extra time, we bring them back in during the week before we hit the lake.
But if given the choice - I'd say weekend classes are the way to go.
By doing this format, the info is fresh in their minds - they build on skills they learned hours, or the day before - not 2 or 3 weeks ago. And when you consider the put together, and tear down time, the students get a lot more actual pool time than they do when we do a class in the evening over several weeks. By the time someone works all day, then battles traffic to get to the shop, then get ready and in the pool - there is not a lot of time if you still want to get them out at a decent hour so they don't fall asleep during work the next day!
We found having them dedicate a lot of time to be submersed (pun...) in scuba helps them learn better. Of course, if they need any extra time, we bring them back in during the week before we hit the lake.
But if given the choice - I'd say weekend classes are the way to go.
I just rec. finished my PADI OW. I picked up the text/DVD 2 weeks ahead of the classroom start,,,,it took that long to study and read the materials......then M & T nights were classroom study from 6:30p to 9:15p.......then W-Th. were both pool sections lasting 3 hours each.......then that S & Sn. were lake dives. I thought it very complete!!
OP
lee08
Contributor
Thanks for taking the time to reply. As an instructor myself I just have a hard time with weekend courses. Like "ID Diver" I have chosen not to teach them. I guess with smaller classes or the right students they are ok, but I just don't think it should become the industry standard. (Goodknight411 where in the H... do you dive in Arkansas?)
We've done classes on weekends and the more traditional multi-week way. I can't honestly say one is always better. It is so dependent on the student that each method has it's place.
Some weekend students learn quicky and absorb all you can teach them, while some in the multi-week classes seem to forget everything week to week. I think class size (and of course the instructor!) is way more important. The same material and skills are covered in both.
________________
Dennis
Some weekend students learn quicky and absorb all you can teach them, while some in the multi-week classes seem to forget everything week to week. I think class size (and of course the instructor!) is way more important. The same material and skills are covered in both.
________________
Dennis
beachbum70635
Registered
There are several good dive spots in Arkansas, Lakes Ouachita and DeGray just to mention a couple. My wife and a friend of ours just certified in a weekend course at Lake Ouachita. I think if the person is comfortable in the water and willing to put in the time with home study the weekend course can do the same as all other O/W courses. Get them started learning to dive.lee08:
goodknight411
Contributor
lee08:
A Pool.
Actualy, The lake. I try not to do it too often. It's kinda yucky. i prefer to go to florida or take a dive vacationbeachbum: did you get certified by Ricks in L.R.?
Similar threads
