Hi Andrew,
Apologies if I misunderstand but you do seem to be trying to justify your ability to instruct. Please don't take any of the replies personally afterall the question itself is likely to gain some contraversial answers.
Anyway some interesting points.
Quote:
| Originally Posted by Andrew H I have dived in zero viz, and in heavy swell and surge as did all the people on my course. I felt well prepared to teach in the area I qualified in. I fully agree that Red Sea experienced instructorwould be unprepared to teach in UK waters, and although NZ is colder and rougher than that, I don't feel prepared to teach in UK waters. My teaching was, as all teaching should be, done in areas I had dived often before. |
Agree and in my experience most instructors I have met will also only teach once they are comfortable with their local conditions, admittedly it is not enforcable but common sense seems to prevail.
Quote:
| Originally Posted by Andrew H I have never had a buddy panic on me. Some people could dive for many years without having this happen, and unfortunately it really isn't something you can train for as such. I have done first dives with some very stressed looking divers, who warranted, and got closely watched. |
This is actually something I feel is an unfair expectation for exactly the reason you state. It is not something you can train for and regardless of how much experience you get, you may never experience it. Being aware and prepared for the eventuality will minimise it happening anyway.
As for dealing with it if it does happen, the rescue course and IDC/IE does in my opinion provide perfectly adaquate training for the eventuality. How the person deals with it if it happens is dependent on the individual.
Quote:
| Originally Posted by Andrew H Teaching as an assistant under more experienced instructors must be part of the BSAC structure. It's hard to see how it could work under a more commercial system. I was lucky to work for a large LDS and had the benefit of working alongside amore experienced instructors many times. |
Um well it does exist in the PADI system, The role of a DM and also AI, the experience you gain in either of these roles when working with instructors can be invaluable for when and if the individuals goes on to be a OWSI. I personally feel that the experience I gained as a DM over a 8 month period working with a vast number of instructors and students over many different courses gave me extremely valuable experiences that I could not of got from fast tracking to OWSI.
Personally I have met very experienced instructors who are brilliant, I have also met newly qualified instructors who are extremely competent and have the potential to be truly great instructors.
Unfortunately I have also met newly qualified instructors who I would not trust to teach anyone I cared for. Usually due to their attitude or how they react in a real stress situation.
Mostly it comes down to having the right attitude and composure. I don't believe this is something that the PADI IDC/IE can adaquately test. Not sure what the answer is really although I do believe a extended internship, kind of a probationary Instructor would weed these out or help the individuals in changing their attitudes.
Anyway don't pay any attention to me, I chose to work as a DM in training for 8 months before doing my AI and still do quite a bit DMing. Over the last few months for many of the reasons above I shelved all plans for doing a IDC/IE - there were a few events that occured that devalued the whole system for me, so I'm probably just a cynical old bastard.
If you enjoy it and you know you do a good job stick with it.
Daz