My OW group comprised 4 candidates with ages ranging from 16 to 52, from different backgrounds and of varying education. We were all absolute beginners.
We all had to be shown the proper way to assemble our gear. Our instructor taught us to put the SPG face down on the ground, cover it with our boot, push either second stage purge button and then open the valve. I will not disagree that an explosion is highly unlikely, but I believe that when one teaches beginners the essentials of safe sightseeing in a hostile environment, it's good to see them go down the cautious path. The youngster accepted the demonstration without asking questions, but the rest of us didn't and the instructor was more than happy to elaborate on our questions.
My point is that when you start learning from scratch and safety issues are involved, it's important to learn the "how" before worrying about the "why". Once that's done, you can be as inquisitive as you want (and I am one to drive an instructor to despair with questions).
We all had to be shown the proper way to assemble our gear. Our instructor taught us to put the SPG face down on the ground, cover it with our boot, push either second stage purge button and then open the valve. I will not disagree that an explosion is highly unlikely, but I believe that when one teaches beginners the essentials of safe sightseeing in a hostile environment, it's good to see them go down the cautious path. The youngster accepted the demonstration without asking questions, but the rest of us didn't and the instructor was more than happy to elaborate on our questions.
My point is that when you start learning from scratch and safety issues are involved, it's important to learn the "how" before worrying about the "why". Once that's done, you can be as inquisitive as you want (and I am one to drive an instructor to despair with questions).