Quote:
| Originally Posted by peterdevlin Base: this is a good introduction to the fun world of CDG debate .... Duncan is really the master ... he responds ever so well to the term "pikey" ;-) |
You called?!
Quote:
| Originally Posted by Bardo Personally I'd look into the sort of diving that any potential cave instructor is doing. |
Exactly - all of the people we both recommend are active cave explorers - a lot of what they teach you comes from personal experience rather than something they were taught en route to becoming an instructor.
Quote:
| Originally Posted by peterdevlin ... yes, but I have a Full Cave cert from Martyn, and am not yet a QD .... and haven't started thinking about a date for being examined ....
I take your point that you could get to QD as quickly as to Full Cave, but this is in part dependent on getting a mentor to take you diving.
To my knowledge Christine is one of the few trainees who is getting the level of mentoring that used to happen in the CDG. |
I've mentored over half a dozen CDG divers (some from never having used diving gear) to full CDG Qualification - two of my trainees are now both examiners in their own right. To do the job properly one needs time and an enthusiastic apprentice. It takes at least a year (sometimes two) to go from zero to hero. Realistically, the mentoree needs to be sufficiently self-motivated to learn for themselves in order to develop self-reliance and problem solving skills that are the hallmark of a cave explorer rather than cave tourist. Also there has to be a match between the two as the relationship can be more testing than a simple instructor-trainee one. Basically we're talking about the mentor taking on a permanent dive buddy. No-one likes to invest effort in someone who won't make the grade or who will loose interest quickly. Its not for everyone: mindful of the investment and risk involved the CDG has traditionally appeared stand-offish regarding recruitment - not without good reason.
The CDG offers access to other cave divers of all abilities and experience - from another novice to learn with to the old lags. Many sections also have equipment (cylinders) which can be borrowed. For whatever reason the CDG ticket is extremely highly respected and will get members in a lot of places.
The wider availablity and quality of commercial cave diver training is sadly impacting on the CDG's ability to teach in its time-honoured style. Punters want a quick fix and (not having been mentored ) lack the ability or confidence to pass on the baton.
Now, I'd like to go cave diving this weekend but the weather is sh*te...