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I went diving with what used to be my instructor (now more like a colleague having finished my Dive Master) and an OW student at his third open water dive (first in a drysuit) yesterday.
The instructor asked me to do what the French call "serre-file", that is staying slightly behind but close enough to intervene should anything come up.
Just before descending (artificial lake shore dive) he told me "you're experienced enough, don't expect me to keep too close an eye on you, Christophe needs all my attention", I was fine with the idea, I know the location well and maximum depth was announced to be no more than 10-11 metres.
Everything went smoothly, although the dive was a bit cut short by the student's air consumption (not his fault, we all went through this), but staying behind put the dive in a totally different perspective from what I had seen so far.
Nothing bad, just a very happy experience, and certainly very rewarding getting a call on my cellphone from the instructor last night thanking me for my help.
Man, don't do that! Here I was thinking that something bad happened!
Anyway, glad to hear nothing bad happened, and you enjoyed your dive. It is nice to get compliments from the instructor or someone you respect like that.
Yes, you certainly get a different perspective "from the other side of the mask", don't you? It's one thing to be "a diver" and quite another to be a "dive professional".
As "dive professionals" we are basically "solo diving" every time we go in the water with students. That's why it's so important to be prepared for ANYTHING that could happen, even to YOU.
Regardless, sounds like you did a super job... keep up the good work!
Welcome to the world of diving for others. I had a good friend tell me the quickest way to curtail a lot of pleasure diving... become an instructor! Even when you are "off duty" DMs and Instructors alike are always at the ready to assist and instruct. That's my take on it anyways. Keep it up, and soon you will grow eyes on the back of your head... as well as some gills too!
Glad everything went well for you! Diving is a whole different ball game from Submariner's "other side of the mask." Diving with students requires A LOT of work before, during and after the dives and that recognition from the instructor was well deserved.
Enjoy your new perspective!
Ber
"I'm not a fan of summer storms. Between the lightening that might blow up my house or the tornado that might throw a cow through it, I don't sleep well." Steve_Dives
Happy to be a dork diver! www.dorkdiver.com
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Originally Posted by Dbmata
