Redesigning AOW

[TheWetRookie]

I found the course in and of itself was good, however the thing that does need to be changed is the name. As already mentioned, get rid of the word "advanced". It gives the wrong impression. For example, I was an advanced diver at 9 dives. A person with only 9 dives is not an advanced diver. I know I was not.

I would like to see the course re-attached to the OW course as I think this is where it belongs. All of my OW course was sitting on the bottom at 20' doing skills. We did the skills but no diving. Put OW and AOW together and you do the skills, then you do some diving where you learn how to use those skills.

 

[ucfdiver]

I don't see anything wrong with a short dive to 100' on an 80...?

Assuming it can be kept short. I just don't like sending divers places where they can't manage if things take longer than expected. For example, if someone gets tangled and you have to free them, that can take a few extra minutes and push you over the no deco limit.

Wearing black is the true sign of a cool and proficient diver. Forget all this C-Card nonsense... (Of course I wear all black).

Agreed. If someone's wearing all black and a bp/w, I'd sell them trimix just because they've mastered the art of looking cool

 

[SparticleBrane]

I'd say that redesigning OW needs to come first. Part of that would involve revoking certifications of instructors who can't actually dive, and don't have the experience you'd really need to be a good knowledgeable instructor. 100-dive instructor-wonders shouldn't exist.

I really think you should come out of your basic open water class with buoyancy and trim essentially mastered. That isn't a tough requirement.

 

[PCBCaptChris]

Wow, that's a buncha lecture. I usually do around 4 hours plus .5-1 hour for the test... That's the good thing about NAUI, they let you exceed the standards as want (where other agencies do not...).

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

There's not a whole lot an instructor can do with a student who's just card collecting for vacation.

Sure there is. The instructor manages the class. I've on a couple of occasions said to a student "Here's what you're going to need to do in order to pass this class."

It always gets their attention, and lets them know the card comes only after I'm satisfied with their effort.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[BDub]

That paragraph discribes a 5 minute talk added to the course or that could be had on the boat prior to the dive...

Which paragraph?

 

[PCBCaptChris]

This one:

You don't have to teach all the compartment models, but if you have a basic discussion on slow tissues vs fast tissues, and how minimum deco will get you out of the water much cleaner than the tradition ascent profile, it's pretty easy to grasp.

The reason being, you are right, it is easy to grasp at that level.

 

[ucfdiver]

Sure there is. The instructor manages the class. I've on a couple of occasions said to a student "Here's what you're going to need to do in order to pass this class."

It always gets their attention, and lets them know the card comes only after I'm satisfied with their effort.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Sure, you CAN fail them, I'm referring to working with them. If all they want is that C card, they're gonna get failed from your course, run down the street, get certified, and then tell everyone what a bad instructor you are.

 

[BDub]

I don't see anything wrong with a short dive to 100' on an 80...?

And there may not be anything wrong with it. But how does the student know if it's safe or not?

In my Advanced class we determine every student's individual SAC/RMV. In one particular instance, one student's SAC rate was so high, that his Rock Bottom for 100' was 2900psi. He'd hit his RB on the descent. In this case, he had a lot of other things to work on before considering going to 100fsw.

Likewise, there are some students who could spend a few minutes at 100fsw before starting their ascent, but they need to be able to determine beforehand whether their dive plan is safe or not.

 

[PCBCaptChris]

I tell any student that does not meet muster that they are welcome to all future AOW class I have for cost only. About half usually end up finishing up with me. That does help avoid the nay sayer from just telling them they failed...