Which topic from your OW class...

[*Floater*]

My 3-day OW course was nothing special, but it was fine. I got the card and the rest came with experience.

Of course, there's a ton of topics they could have covered but didn't, basically everything from GUE's DIRF they could fit in would have been an improvement as far as I'm concerned.

 

[PriorSJ]

I agree with Peter Guy. More time should be spent discussing computers on OW courses. We often spend hours upon hours teaching people how to use something that most never use (dive tables) and hardly any time at all teaching people how to use a computer. Many people, of course, either buy a computer, or rent one for holidays. The subject of absorbsion and release of nitrogen is paramount, but we need to make sure that divers know how to monitor that nitrogen using both tables and computers.

 

[timegan]

Hands down...Buoyancy! we were taught about it and how one should mantain NEUTRAL at all times. But as a learning diver...well you sort of get it. But it is so vital to all types of diving. It affects, and totally changes all the points brought up so far. Threw the whole dive, even the slow assent. Getting just "dialed in" is just the beginning. Bad buoyency is even the root cause of most mishaps... or worse. Just my02

 

[*Floater*]

I agree with Peter Guy. More time should be spent discussing computers on OW courses. We often spend hours upon hours teaching people how to use something that most never use (dive tables) and hardly any time at all teaching people how to use a computer. Many people, of course, either buy a computer, or rent one for holidays. The subject of absorbsion and release of nitrogen is paramount, but we need to make sure that divers know how to monitor that nitrogen using both tables and computers.

What is there to learn about computers? You jump in and they tell you how much time you have before entering deco... Maybe there's a little bit more to them, but it's pretty easy to pick up after the course. The stuff they should teach is the really fundamental stuff that you need to survive long enough to develop into a competent diver, and by and large they do teach you that.

 

[kidspot]

Peterguy and PriorSJ - you make a good point - while I mostly dive with a BT and not computer I know most divers are using computers. However most divers I've seen don't use their computer, they follow it. So might as well learn how to make it work for you, assist in planning and remind you of details along the way...

 

[plot]

I still think alot of stuff like proper gas management would go in one ear and out the other when people are struggling with all the other basics.

AOW should cover alot of these things alot more in depth...

 

[ianw2]

gas management and bouyancy.

I agree.

Did any of your classes go beyond the "be back with 500 psi" or "at 500 psi start your ascent"

Not really. That’s why I would have liked more coverage.

Which topics covered in your OW class do you wish you'd heard more about.

Oh my…A literalist! But, then….your definition of coverage is different than mine. If the topics had been covered, they would have been covered adequately that I would have been satisfied. I’ll use the definition: "…lightly touched upon but not dealt with in enough depth to provide full knowledge…"

I guess I should have mentioned that topics NOT covered are allowed too

I rest my case, Tsand M!

I agree, gas management and buoyancy control.

Ha! Another in the same corner…

I still think alot of stuff like proper gas management would go in one ear and out the other when people are struggling with all the other basics.

AOW should cover alot of these things alot more in depth...

Good point. I still would have liked more on gas management and buoyancy control/trim.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Those of you who would like more on gas management ... have only to ask ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[ianw2]

Why do I feel a "Pull my finger!" coming on?

But, seriously, NWGratefulDiver, I would love to get links to some of your stuff on SAC calcs, determinations and other gas management stratetgies.

I've learned a hell of a lot from your posts since I plugged in here. And I appreciate it very much!

 

[kidspot]

I heartily recommend you request Bobs gas management paper - VERY well put together...