What one thing do you wish you'd learned in BOW?

[GDI]

:doctor:
As a instructor I teach Bouyancy and trim during the first pool session of my classes, I have on average 3 pool sessions. Not everyone gets buoyancy or trim right away. I take them to dive sights where they can see the results of poor buoyancy, hopefully I can do this without impacting on other divers. I give them plenty of time at the end of each pool session to play. Almost always they work on buoyancy, as if it is like some sort of fustration with them. In fact when I am teaching them the skills I make sure that I am in the neutral position, not touching the bottom. I believe in setting the example. The 3rd pool session is used to fine tune their skills and get the students correctly weighted before the open water dive site. By the end of the second pool session I have the students attempt to perform all skills while in the neutral position or without stopping to fin kick. I always review each skill in each session at the start and end of each class. I also play a little game of what I call "Thinking Diver" where I introduce realistic problems to them and have them respond, hopefully correctly based on their training. Now having said all of this and perhaps blowing my own horn. I believe that my students learn all basic skills with profficiency. My intent in teaching them is to learn to scuba dive and not just a series of skills. Therefore I believe the most beneficial skill to learn, is to learn the art of diving correctly. Complete and not just one skill

 

[BIGSAGE136]

But in keeping with the "One Thing" I wish I had more instruction with its bouyancy, and trim. I began scuba diving when I was 12.
I stopped during college. In June I got my OW. I am now 50. All I can say is WOW...BCD..now thats an idea!

You have to have the mileage to appreciate that. I cant wait to take Peak Bouyancy. IMHO it should be the 1st step in the OW
curriculum.

Again, good shot on your course method.

Safe diving

 

[FreeFloat]

CBulla once bubbled...
The biggest challenge in the pool was staying still and not circulating with the current from the pool jets.

Hear, hear. And I almost believed my instructor and DM who said "If you're moving, it's because you're moving your fins every so slightly - most divers, even experienced ones, cannot keep their fins completely still"

 

[Jambi]

I jump in to! Proper Bouyancy Control.

Jambi

 

[hantzu701]

When I was an OW student, I gave my instructor a hard time because I thought he didn't really challenge us or teach us the skills that I thought that were important. eg. good buoyancy/trim.

After helping him with several rounds of OW classes, I'm less critical of his teaching style. It's easier to Monday quarterback when you're not responsible for watching 18 different students at the same time.

While I am critical of the PADI "method", it does work... I guess. Some people need to take baby steps. Unfortunately, this has the effect of reducing the amount of stuff that gets taught.

Three skills that I wished that I had learned in OW.

Dive Site Assessment. When is it ok to dive and when is it time to bail.

Buddy/Air Management. This wasn't a big deal until I started dealing with currents.

Buoyancy. Buoyancy. Buoyancy. As an OW student, it's difficult to have a clue of what that means - especially since all of your classmates are just as terrible at it.

Hantzu.

 

[cliffdiver]

timhernandez once bubbled...
Now that I think about it, seems like a lot of information to feel under educated on before you hit the water.

-Tim

On the surface (no pun intended), this "one thing under-taught" question seems pretty simple. It still is, I suppose, and my answer is like so many others: buoyancy and trim (I don't remember much discussion about, much less any direct work on, trim in my OW training). Yeah, definitely those two.

BUT, then, I think of a few things that may be more important: definitely not enough is done with problem scenarios, e.g. stuck valves, OOAs, reg recoveries, etc., etc. There have been more than a few threads on SB lately addressing issues with endangered divers who clearly didn't know how to handle a bad situation. It seems to me that basic "stay alive" skills are undertaught.

At the same time, Tim makes a good point: we could add and add and add "necessary" items to OW training and then, before you know it, it's such a long training process that - while it might yield better and safer divers - it also dissuades many from every taking up the sport in the first place because the classes and training are too long and arduous. So, there clearly has to be balance.

I applaud instructors like GDI who seem to already teach a comprehensive - if there exists such a thing - beginning OW class. But, how much do you think you could add before prospective divers decide that it's too much? It'll be hard to know when beginning OW is too easy and unsafe/mediocre divers are being unleashed into the waters at a rate that exceeds "what its worth."

Perhaps the OW classes should remain much as they are, maybe add a little more work on buoyancy, trim and the like, and then...

You've got 'em. They're certified and hooked on diving. Then, before they go home, you make one thing clear: "Congrats. You are all certified to dive. But, you need to know that you have only begun. The 'art of diving correctly' (GDI) takes a lot more work. You are strongly encouraged to continue your OW training asap to get more practice and instruction in buoyancy, trim, weighting, OOA and other such scenarios (add to list...)" You get the idea: the kind of work and practice everyone ought get before they ever-too-easily go off, do a few more dives and get to consider themselves "advanced" open water divers.

Call it an extra - optional, perhaps, but strongly encouraged - level of training or certification before AOW, like, perhaps, er...

"Art of Diving Correctly" certification, or whatever.

 

[kingprawn]

After that, how to not follow the leader, but plan your own dive, and follow it. They talk about it, but don't pratice it. Too many skills to go over.

 

[love2godeep]

From my vantage point of having gone through OW certification fairly recently (about two years ago,) I'd definitely have to say buoyancy. At the same time, it is true that there is sooo much to learn. I'm just discovering how little I actually know.

Come to think of it, maybe the most important thing we should have been told was that we didn't know anything yet! Maybe we were told, but didn't hear it! Could be.

In my experience, most of the divemasters I've gone diving with since getting OW certification have been quite solicitous, and I've picked up a lot of pointers along the way. So, of course, it a continuing learning experience.

I intend to continue to improve my techniques with buoyancy, trim, equalization, compass, equipment, etc. I would not feel comfortable diving without a DM until these things are second nature. Next time out, I plan to get more training in buoyancy control.

What if there was a second-level certification before a diver could be deemed ready to set out without anyone to monitor him/her? Sort of like a driver's permit, maybe. But surely anyone with good sense would already have such parameters for themselves. . . .

L2GD

 

[Scubaroo]

I wouldn't have minded learning about proper trim, alternate kicks, and alternate equipment configurations. Buoyancy control comes with practice.

Rescue skills were limited to the "tired diver tow". Why don't stores offer combined OW/Rescue classes?

 

[cudachaser]

As an instructor...my main thing is buoyancy control...I do things a lot of things like "Moon walking" They have to remove their fins. Walking is done slightly negative. Then I get them to perfect neutral.... with their legs tucked, they have maneuver about the pool doing all sorts of exercises just sculling with their hands. Since I'm also an HSAI instructor these techniques are very adaptive.

I have been dinged by other instuctors saying this avoids good kick tecniques. Well with the fin kick...I find most students do quite well with that naturally...with the bicylers....I have them kick against side of the pool...tell them to kick like they are moving the pool wall. It really works well.