GUE Tech1.

[tom]

Alan, I suspect - without having been there or knowing the instructor's mind - that many of these scenarios are not meant to be realistic simulations, but are intended in part to enable the candidates to see what their own responses under pressure are like and eventually to increase their confidence in dealing with situations underwater (this comes out in some of what Garf said, about how things that were major problems at the start were minor problems by the end).

[onthetrain]

Originally Posted by tom

Alan, I suspect - without having been there or knowing the instructor's mind - that many of these scenarios are not meant to be realistic simulations, but are intended in part to enable the candidates to see what their own responses under pressure are like and eventually to increase their confidence in dealing with situations underwater (this comes out in some of what Garf said, about how things that were major problems at the start were minor problems by the end).

Tom, agreed, but surely that can be achieved without the students feeling like punch bags??

[tom]

I don't know about that aspect of it. I know that as a professional educator it's not what I'd do. I also know that the diving course I probably gained the most from, is the one that had me feeling the worst and almost giving up halfway through due to my own perception of my performance. So I really don't know about that one.

[Janos]

Originally Posted by onthetrain

Tom, agreed, but surely that can be achieved without the students feeling like punch bags??

I think it's the degree to which you are a punchbag. I have done one course (BSAC ERD) which I was disappointed with as I did not feel stretched. I have done another course (1 day with Mark Powell, no qualification) where I was stretched. However I have observed Mark teach in a very different style when presented with a different student to me. What was good for me wasn't necessarily good for other people.

I think the secret to a good "tech" diving instructor is understanding where the limits of the student are and stretching them a little bit.

It's easier to overstretch students, and it's easy to understretch students, but getting it just right is more than throwing silly drills at them, it's also about understanding your students limits. I think that on the whole the DIR instructors are quite good at this. DIR-F seems to be a different experience to Tech-1, and I'm sure that if Team Foxturd did DIR-F now they would breeze through it, which means that they've learnt something on the course on in between.

You know if you're a better diver at the end of a course, and I think Garf, and the others, seem to think they are so I trust their judgement on this, and so I think the course was very worthwhile.

Janos

[Howard Payne]

No problem Alan, I'll chip in for Garf
With regards to the fins - well you just have to know Andy to know he's got a great sense of humour - nothing he says is ever disrespectful - you just have to know the man. Besides his fins are "girly bits of crap". Gloc has now got some big manly Jetfins that were slightly too small for my clearly more manly feet. Garf's digging a pair of turtles out of the garage as we speak probably and the Barbie fins will be in the round file soon no doubt.
If you're on a line - for the purpose of the exercise you consider it to be an overhead environment - ie inside a wreck in a total silt out - not just lining off a shot. The idea is that you can't just go up - you have to find your way out following the line, all blind, without masks, as a team, without panic. It's a team building exercise and as such it's very, very effective. With a slack, badly laid line - it's almost impossible to complete. You don't lay a line badly twice after you're first attempt, lesson learnt.
With regards to all the failures, the teach you to prioritise under stress and to fix the things that kill first, then sort the other things in order of priority. Chances of even one of these things happening on a normal dive - slim - but when they do - you handle them without fuss and drama - the training kicks in as we found when Garf had a left post problem whilst scootering as a team on Saturday. Ultimately this gives you a great feeling of comfort and lowers your stress in the water - the exact opposite of what happens during the training.
This kind of tuition sounds harsh or OTT, but ask anyone of us and we'll all tell you that we wouldn't have had it any other way. You learn so much in one week it's scary.
We haven't even passed the course yet - no complaints here (Andy normally teaches it in two parts - only two teams have been right the way though to a pass in one week since he's been teaching it)

[onthetrain]

Janos & Howard,

Thanks for the comments you make.

Janos agreed, Horses for courses. I agree you need to be stretched and IMVHO a good instructor knows what will stretch without breaking an individual.

Howard, thanks for the insiders view. Interesting comments and as always talking about it on t'interweb doesnt really give you an understanding, its (as I said in my post) a perception thing and without knowing the personalities (In this case Andy K) it difficult to understand.

I guess part of my point was line laying was sort of irrelevant (after all this was tech 1 not cave 1), but I can see the value as a team building exercise.

Thanks again for your insight and well done on the course.

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by onthetrain

I guess part of my point was line laying was sort of irrelevant (after all this was tech 1 not cave 1), but I can see the value as a team building exercise.

Hi Alan,

As I think Garf said, the linelaying is used as a distraction .... you are right though that a lot of what is being described does not come across so well on the Internet and that's why weekend's like the one that just happened at Stoney are such a good opportunity to find out more.

I rather boldly signed up for the Intro to Tech 1 and found myself getting a flavour of what's involved. Obviously Andy K was being very kind to me as a mere mortal but there was enough in the Intro to reiterate to me how important it is to keep track of who can do what at anytime during a time when things are not going well.

The guys deserve unreserved praise for what they have chosen to do ... only they can decide whether it was a good choice

Mal

[onthetrain]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

Hi Alan,

As I think Garf said, the linelaying is used as a distraction .... you are right though that a lot of what is being described does not come across so well on the Internet and that's why weekend's like the one that just happened at Stoney are such a good opportunity to find out more.

I rather boldly signed up for the Intro to Tech 1 and found myself getting a flavour of what's involved. Obviously Andy K was being very kind to me as a mere mortal but there was enough in the Intro to reiterate to me how important it is to keep track of who can do what at anytime during a time when things are not going well.

mal Saw your DIR leanings in August LOL

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

The guys deserve unreserved praise for what they have chosen to do ... only they can decide whether it was a good choice

Mal

Totally agree

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by Howard Payne

No problem Alan, I'll chip in for Garf
With regards to the fins - well you just have to know Andy to know he's got a great sense of humour - nothing he says is ever disrespectful - you just have to know the man.

If you didn't know Andy, what would you honestly think then?

Acedemic now as he won't be teaching for much longer. Quite a loss, but it seems that there are a few around to pick up the batton. I just hope they don't all feel they have to use the same style. Having met a couple, I don't think that will be the case.

Adrian

[divingniknaks]

Originally Posted by Adrian Kelland

If you didn't know Andy, what would you honestly think then?

I understand what you mean, tis the danger of T'Interweb thingy I fear.

Originally Posted by Adrian Kelland

Acedemic now as he won't be teaching for much longer. Quite a loss,

Understatement of the year ! As Garf said, the powers that be at GUE should be standing round in a circle each kicking the others arses for letting it get to this.

Originally Posted by Adrian Kelland

but it seems that there are a few around to pick up the batton. I just hope they don't all feel they have to use the same style. Having met a couple, I don't think that will be the case.

I think you'll find T1 is the same the world over (which it should be), the "ones in line" will be more than capable of making sure that T1 is just as challenging. Dont let Mr Walker fool you He's just as evil under that pleasant exterior

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