Best Tech Instructors

[mathauck0814]

There's a fair few technical instructors out there and there are more than a fair few technical divers on this forum. I've personally trained with Chris Brown (Silent World) for some of my deep ocean diving and Avery Chipka (Indian Valley Scuba) for cave training (Both, incidentally, I would work with again without hesitation).

Who have you all used? For what? What were your observations?

Is there an elite group of folks that could be distilled into the "must train with" crowd?

[gsk3]

I suspect you're just going to get recommendations for whoever people trained with, but the two GUE Tech 2 instructors in the U.S. come to mind. One is Jarrod Jablonski, the other is Bob Sherwood. I've never met Jarrod but trained with Bob and can truly say he's worth seeking out. Judging by the number of people who fly him out for classes, it would appear I'm not alone.

[waterpirate]

The best of the best tech instructors are those who routinely evaluate prospects for tech and turn them away, with a recomendation for specific improvements that need to be met prior to training them.

The stuff I am starting to see on tech trips is as wonky as the stuff seen on ndl trips. It is not comforting to anyone, least of all to the divers who think they are "good to go".
Eric

[mathauck0814]

The best of the best tech instructors are those who routinely evaluate prospects for tech and turn them away, with a recomendation for specific improvements that need to be met prior to training them.

The stuff I am starting to see on tech trips is as wonky as the stuff seen on ndl trips. It is not comforting to anyone, least of all to the divers who think they are "good to go".
Eric

OK - but rather than a rant, how about posting the names of those instructors you feel are actually doing this (as was my intention when I posted the thread)

[waterpirate]

If you felt that was a rant, you clearly are not familiar with my work. lol

Mentioned allready:
JJ
Bob sherwood

I would add:
any GUE/UTD people,

This is really a geographic specific secret
mid atlantic:
SB players= Jim Lapenta
Steve Lewis
Michael Fisch

Abridged legend list= John chatterton
Ritchie Koehler
Dan Crowell
Ted Green
Gary Gentile
J.T. Barker

I am sure I left out alot of folks from the mid atlantic. Every region has a long list, unless you live in the desert with JAX. One interesting observation is that few of these people own or work out of any shop.
Eric

Are you shopping? or just making a list?

[VooDooGasMan]

Ron Akeson, Adventures Down Under, herd nothing but great from this guy and he does more tech charters than any other here in Washington waters an BC waters.

[Jim Lapenta]

If you felt that was a rant, you clearly are not familiar with my work. lol

Mentioned allready:
JJ
Bob sherwood

I would add:
any GUE/UTD people,

This is really a geographic specific secret
mid atlantic:
SB players= Jim Lapenta
Steve Lewis
Michael Fisch

Abridged legend list= John chatterton
Ritchie Koehler
Dan Crowell
Ted Green
Gary Gentile
J.T. Barker

I am sure I left out alot of folks from the mid atlantic. Every region has a long list, unless you live in the desert with JAX. One interesting observation is that few of these people own or work out of any shop.
Eric

Are you shopping? or just making a list?

Great company and thanks but I am, for the time being, primarily a recreational instructor and just venturing into the tech realm. I only offer TDI Nitrox and Intro to Tech along with the HOG Equipment course. Some of my recreational courses though do incorporate what some may consider technical skills and knowledge, such as use of stage bottles, deco planning, and limited overhead. I would not want to mislead anyone into thinking they can get something like trimix or advanced overhead training at this time. My own planned training for the future includes Adv Nitrox and Deco and Advanced Wreck. Most likely using Sue Smith from Michigan. Dive Girl Scuba - Sue Smith scuba diving instructor in the Midwest - exceptional scuba instructions in recreational and technical diving (http://www.divegirlscuba.com/)

[waterpirate]

Great company and thanks but I am, for the time being, primarily a recreational instructor and just venturing into the tech realm. I only offer TDI Nitrox and Intro to Tech along with the HOG Equipment course. Some of my recreational courses though do incorporate what some may consider technical skills and knowledge, such as use of stage bottles, deco planning, and limited overhead. I would not want to mislead anyone into thinking they can get something like trimix or advanced overhead training at this time. My own planned training for the future includes Adv Nitrox and Deco and Advanced Wreck. Most likely using Sue Smith from Michigan. Dive Girl Scuba - Sue Smith scuba diving instructor in the Midwest - exceptional scuba instructions in recreational and technical diving (http://www.divegirlscuba.com/)


Jim,
Stop being so bashfull. My point was that by the time someone absorbs and passes your curriculum, the chances of them being accepted by someone teaching at the next level would most likely be automatic.
Eric

[Dive Bug Bit Me]

My basic training is credited to Addison Chappell (Padi - New York). This was done as a series of high intensity Padi Specialities. He must have done a good job because every subsequent instructor wanted to know where I learnt because my core skills were a "cut" above most students that arrive on their courses.

My wreck training was from Duane Johnson (TDI - Chicago). I think he was fantastic. Again, my cave instructors were impressed that I already was proficient in running and managing a line, lights out drills, etc. To be honest, after Duane's course Cave Intro was easy.

[JamesK]

I did my cave training with Larry Green. I highly recommend him. If he felt you did not do well enough on a drill, you redid it. Then you redid it multiple times even after you got it right.

[Peter Guy]

The OP asked
Is there an elite group of folks that could be distilled into the "must train with" crowd?

Answer -- No, I don't think so.

Reason -- Without having trained with a number of instructors, at the same level, how can one actually identify who is, or is not, an "elite" instructor? And, in reality, how many people train with "a number" of instructors at the same level -- especially at the technical level?

Of course there is the problem that occurs as a result of teaching styles not mixing with learning styles and that is certainly true at the technical level.

I've taken "technical courses" from at least four (and perhaps eight, depending on how one defines "technical") instructors. They all had their strengths and they all had their weaknesses.

Query -- what makes one an "elite" technical instructor? Unless, and until, that is defined, how can anyone even attempt to identify an "elite corps of technical instructors?"

Me, I'd never even attempt to define an "elite technical instructor" and I think I've seen several teach -- even some mentioned in prior posts.

[waterpirate]

In todays d- world of instant gratification, I stand by my original statement as a definition of elite instructors.
Eric

[ppo2_diver]

Is there an elite group of folks that could be distilled into the "must train with" crowd?

No. Every instructor has strengths and weaknesses. Their teaching strengths may not match up with a students learning style. Therefore, you may not learn as well with an "elite" instructor, but may learn very well from someone on the non-"elite" list.

[Doppler]

Thanks for adding me to the list... However, I would like to correct a small error: I run programs in a wider region than the Midwest... :)


Would also second the endorsement for Larry Green.

[mathauck0814]

IAre you shopping? or just making a list?

Not shopping. Just curious if we'd see over the course of a thread that there was consensus or overlap in sentiments out there.

[VooDooGasMan]

I would also say Trace Maline, I have read a fare amount of his post and his way of writing is pretty clear to get the point across and does not leave much out. as he is also up in the dive orgs he instructs through.

[TSandM]

I stand with Peter. I can't define "elite instructor", so I couldn't make a list of them. I do think an excellent technical instructor should have both breadth (variety of experience) and depth (time of experience, as both technical diver and instructor). I think an excellent technical instructor should have exemplary personal skills and be a superb visual model of performance. But the final thing is that the person should be able to TEACH, and that's both nebulous and somewhat subjective. I know technical instructors who are worshipped by some of their students, who I don't think teach well at all. And I know some whose style matches some divers and not others.

The instructors I have worked with who I think are excellent:

Danny Riordan (my Cave 1 instructor). Danny is negative space in the water, one of the quietest divers I've ever seen, and utterly graceful. He's good at explaining and amazingly patient for a kind of hyper guy. He also has an almost pathological degree of attention to detail. He WILL make you think.

Fred Devos. Fred is also incredibly graceful and quiet, and a fabulous example to watch. He is also patient, and much lower key than Danny. Fred is great for people who tend to be very self-critical or a little lacking in confidence.

Andrew Georgitsis. Andrew, I think, is as comfortable in the water as he is on land (or maybe more so). Joel Silverstein talks about the act of diving being transparent; Andrew's forgotten that he even DOES anything to be able to dive. He will pose problems for a student that may push the limits of what's advisable, but he will both make you think AND make you stretch your capacity. He would not be the best instructor for someone who struggles or has major confidence problems.

Joe Talavera. Joe's not teaching any more, but he's probably the single best instructor of any kind in diving that I've had the privilege of working with. He had exemplary personal skills, broad experience, and a perfect sense of when to push and when to shore up a student. Plus an extraordinary sense of humor!

Guy Shockey. Guy's relatively new at teaching tech diving, but not new to teaching, and certainly not new to technical diving. Again, exemplary personal skills (you just don't get through GUE instructor training without them) and a very clear and cogent way of explaining things. He's very good at communicating to students in the water, as well.

Dennis Weeks. Dennis is also a beautiful diver, with that quiet grace that marks the best folks in caves. He's also good at setting up in-water experiences that speak to what he sees as the student's potential weak points. One of Dennis's strong points is that he is extremely kind (which does not mean you don't have to perform!) He's an excellent instructor for a student with confidence problems.

[waterpirate]

I can not seem to locate the edit button. In post #5 it should have said Wayne Fisch, sorry Wayne.

Eric

[ddmattos]

I was wondering how Wayne Fisch (http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/members/wayne+at+diveseekers.html) or Jason Fisch didn't make the list. It makes sense now.


I can not seem to locate the edit button. In post #5 it should have said Wayne Fisch, sorry Wayne.

Eric


If you felt that was a rant, you clearly are not familiar with my work. lol

Mentioned allready:
JJ
Bob sherwood

I would add:
any GUE/UTD people,

This is really a geographic specific secret
mid atlantic:
SB players= Jim Lapenta
Steve Lewis
Michael Fisch

Abridged legend list= John chatterton
Ritchie Koehler
Dan Crowell
Ted Green
Gary Gentile
J.T. Barker

I am sure I left out alot of folks from the mid atlantic. Every region has a long list, unless you live in the desert with JAX. One interesting observation is that few of these people own or work out of any shop.
Eric

Are you shopping? or just making a list?

[JWard]

I trained for AN/DP with Duane Johnson (ppodiver on here - www.precisiondiving.com (http://www.precisiondiving.com)) and would highly recommend him. Great skills in the water, he sets the example of how one should dive at the tec level, fantastic presentations and the ability to deliver in a way the student needs to see to be able to understand. He really pushed us to be better divers and increase our envelope of comfort and our ability to deal with potential problems. He went way beyond the course standards and I really appreciate that.

BTW I didn't pass the first time through - I went to practice some skills for a few months and did a few more dives to earn my card.

[616fun]

I trained for AN/DP with Duane Johnson (ppodiver on here - www.precisiondiving.com (http://www.precisiondiving.com)) and would highly recommend him. Great skills in the water, he sets the example of how one should dive at the tec level, fantastic presentations and the ability to deliver in a way the student needs to see to be able to understand. He really pushed us to be better divers and increase our envelope of comfort and our ability to deal with potential problems. He went way beyond the course standards and I really appreciate that.

BTW I didn't pass the first time through - I went to practice some skills for a few months and did a few more dives to earn my card.

+1 on this comment.

I did Advanced Nitrox/Deco with Duane a few years ago. He really does put time and energy into making the best divers out of his students. His 'trademark' phrase is that he produces 'thinking divers.' One that can understand what's happening before, during, and after the dive. Very simple philosophy that gets lost in training a lot.

In terms of his class - it's intense. I believe we did ~twice the amount of dives 'required' by the agency. You dive until you're ready to advance. Duane doesn't sugar coat any feedback, but he does provide how to resolve whatever issue the feedback is being delivered on. He includes all of the course requirements, plus throws in extras like line work. He focuses on team centric diving.

If you are in the midwest and looking for tech instruction, take the time to talk with and dive some with Duane.

[DevonDiver]

There are great divers and great instructors - the two are not necessarily the same thing.

That said, there is always a place for experience - but that depends on the level of training/education you are working at.

A novice tech diver needs a great instructor. An experienced tech diver looking for specific tools, perspectives or recipes might glean more from a great diver.

The tech instructor pool is being rapidly diluted in recent years, with several big tech-provider agencies seeking to expand their instructor and instructor-trainer pool via the fast-track. The need to 'vet' potential tech instructors is becoming even more critical... as the 'zero-to-hero' mentality has now exceeded NDLs.

I'll add to the list, from personal experience:

Mark Powell (UK)
Bruce Konefe (Asia)

[Nailer99]

Ron Akeson, Adventures Down Under, herd nothing but great from this guy and he does more tech charters than any other here in Washington waters an BC waters. Yep. Great guy. I'll be helping him run the booth at the expo on Sunday. Please do stop by and introduce yourself! Be great to meet you.

[jketron]

If this is a shout out to what we feel are the best Tec instructors I'd like to add in Dan Dawson from Horizon Divers. I've taken several classes from Dan and his team will continue. They are great outfit.

John

[Thalassamania]

There are great divers and great instructors - the two are not necessarily the same thing.

That said, there is always a place for experience - but that depends on the level of training/education you are working at.

A novice tech diver needs a great instructor. An experienced tech diver looking for specific tools, perspectives or recipes might glean more from a great diver.

The tech instructor pool is being rapidly diluted in recent years, with several big tech-provider agencies seeking to expand their instructor and instructor-trainer pool via the fast-track. The need to 'vet' potential tech instructors is becoming even more critical... as the 'zero-to-hero' mentality has now exceeded NDLs.

...I agree with you completely. I'm really not sure what the whole "tech course" thing is about. From my perspective divers should come out of their entry level training with most of the requisite skills (e.g., buoyancy, trim, gear handling, emergency procedures, rigging, buddy) and there is not a whole lot more (in-water) to be learned (stops, switches, dealing with more bottles, etc.), it is more a matter of a lot of study and practice with the very best, most of whom don't put their names out there or publish their phone numbers.

[TSandM]

I have to say that my technical training courses have not taught much in the way of basic technique -- as you say, Thal, there is only so much to handling a bottle or doing a gas switch. What they HAVE done is to work on problem-solving skills, situational awareness, and maintaining your good skills in the face of compounding task-loading and stress. I think good instructors make students THINK and show them where their weak spots are (at least MY instructors have done that) and it is very useful. Maybe the "best" don't put out their phone numbers, but certainly, the people who I have listed in my post above are all people from whom I feel that I learned a great deal that made me a better diver.

[mathauck0814]

I have to say that my technical training courses have not taught much in the way of basic technique -- as you say, Thal, there is only so much to handling a bottle or doing a gas switch. What they HAVE done is to work on problem-solving skills, situational awareness, and maintaining your good skills in the face of compounding task-loading and stress. I think good instructors make students THINK and show them where their weak spots are (at least MY instructors have done that) and it is very useful. Maybe the "best" don't put out their phone numbers, but certainly, the people who I have listed in my post above are all people from whom I feel that I learned a great deal that made me a better diver.

Agreed. Skills were taken care of early on (in what I guess you'd call an intro to tech or deep diver course). The instruction I've received since then has been more beneficial in terms of different ways to look at dive planning and contingencies. Also having the benefit of being filmed and shown where technique problems could open the door for an accident chain, etc has been helpful. At some point instruction turns away from the physical performances and toward the theoretical world of "what ifs". My experience with the higher level instructors I've worked with was far more valuable out of the water as after the discussions the in water is more of an affirmation that you understood what you sat around jawing about for the last few hours.

[TSandM]

My experience with the higher level instructors I've worked with was far more valuable out of the water as after the discussions the in water is more of an affirmation that you understood what you sat around jawing about for the last few hours.

Funny, I'd say the exact opposite! Having my instructors create scenarios of problems and issues that we had to work through, and then debrief, has been the most valuable part of my classes. Even when things didn't go well at all, we at least learned what our weak spots were :)

[Doppler]

I have to say that my technical training courses have not taught much in the way of basic technique -- as you say, Thal, there is only so much to handling a bottle or doing a gas switch. What they HAVE done is to work on problem-solving skills, situational awareness, and maintaining your good skills in the face of compounding task-loading and stress...

Like they say, Lynn: technical diving is 30% physical preparation, 85% mental preparation, 25% clairvoyance and the remainder is luck.

[mathauck0814]

Like they say, Lynn: technical diving is 30% physical preparation, 85% mental preparation, 25% clairvoyance and the remainder is luck.

... at least you don't have to be one for math ;-)

[Doppler]

... at least you don't have to be one for math ;-)

Drat... i misquoted! IT should be: Technical Diving is 30% Physical, 85% Mental, 25% Clairvoyance and Luck, and the remainder is Math! SORRY!

[scadreau]

I suspect you're just going to get recommendations for whoever people trained with, but the two GUE Tech 2 instructors in the U.S. come to mind. One is Jarrod Jablonski, the other is Bob Sherwood. I've never met Jarrod but trained with Bob and can truly say he's worth seeking out. Judging by the number of people who fly him out for classes, it would appear I'm not alone.

I have spoken with Jarrod and Bob. I have not had a chance to train with either but very much want to. Jarrod told me he has very little time to teach any more (which is unfortunate from what I hear). Bob spent a ton of time talking to me on the phone about his teaching techniques and philosophy and that was very appreciated.

[gsk3]

Jarrod told me he has very little time to teach any more (which is unfortunate from what I hear).

That's what I hear as well. There are rumors of courses every now and then though. And you could always make a go at the mythical Tech 3 ;-)

[bl6394]

Just had the TDI Adv. Wreck class with John Chatterton in Milwaukee. Fantastic class. Got so much more out of the class than the book alone had to offer. We dove the Dredge, the Prins Willem and the Carferry. Captain Jitka ran an excellent boat as well for the class.

I would highly recommend John if you ever have the chance to take a class with him.

Bjorn

[Chatterton]

Just had the TDI Adv. Wreck class with John Chatterton in Milwaukee. Fantastic class. Got so much more out of the class than the book alone had to offer. We dove the Dredge, the Prins Willem and the Carferry. Captain Jitka ran an excellent boat as well for the class.

I would highly recommend John if you ever have the chance to take a class with him.

Bjorn

Bjorn,

Thanks for the kind words, it was my pleasure to dive with you guys, you all did a great job! I agree that Captain Jitka runs a top notch operation on the Molly V.

Cheers,
JC