Changing AN/DP Instructor

[kafkaland]

I recently started my TDI AN/DP course and I'm rather unhappy with my instructor. I did my e-learning, then met the instructor who I didn't know beforehand but who was recommended by a friend, and the course was marred by what I can only describe as very unprofessional behavior, starting with the instructor showing up five hours late, to having too many students and trying to split his time between teams, and more. Needless to say, we didn't finish the course in the allotted time, and I really don't feel like going back for more of this. So I was wondering, if I signed up with another TDI instructor, can I get credit for the theory part, perhaps even a discount on the course fee, and just do the dives, or do I need to completely start from scratch? I don't want any credit for the dives that I already did, as I didn't really learn anything useful from them.

 

[Hemrick]

if you did the e-learning you should have the print out with knowledge deficiencies and your TDI online profile will show you have completed it so i dont see why you would need to do that again.

being 5 hours late without a valid reason and sincere apology is a bad start to a course.

 

[Scott]

The e-learning portion belongs to you. You can take that print out to any TDI AN/DP instructor and continue.
Will the original instructor refund any course costs and will your new instructor provide a discount of fees? That would be a discussion you'll have to have with them.

If the current instructor works for a facility, you may want to have a discussion with the owner, about his punctuality. Five minutes, maybe. Five hours, unacceptable.

How many students are in the course?

 

[CptTightPants21]

As has been stated, the theory should transfer over no problem.

The new instructor that you choose will (should) speak with your current instructor and get a full run down of the course, the skills that you have completed so far, and his general assessment.

You MAY be able to do fewer dives with the new instructor and/or work out a smaller course fee, but that is all at the new instructors discretion and how he runs his course.

I have seen this go both ways, but from the brief description you have provided it sounds like the course and instructor were sloppy and haphazard. There are some well regarded technical instructors in the Midwest/your area. If you end up going with one of them, I would not be surprised if they require you to redo most of the in water portion of the class.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I'm a TDI AN/DP instructor who teaches more or less in your area. I do the course at Gilboa. I'm not averse to getting some Great Lakes dives in either but that is going to be at extra cost.
Normally I teach AN/DP over 5 days or so if a continuous course. Last one I did we arrived on Wednesday morning and finished up on Sunday. Wednesday was paperwork and classroom, 3 dives Thursday, 2 Friday, 2 Saturday, and 1 Sunday. Classroom for the course took place starting between 7 and 8 am, between dives, and going as late as 8 PM Thursday and Friday. Saturday we only went until 6.
There is a bit to go over IMO that is not in the online materials.
As for a discount that would depend on how many people are in the class (the most I will take is 4), what the actual skill levels are of the students, and what we actually need to do.
If it is only one person who started the class and then needs to finish up it is possible that I would shorten the classroom portion saving a day. But, I would have to be convinced in short order that their safety would not be compromised. I don't see reducing the number of dives. I still have to be there the same number of days. If it's a group unless you bring a buddy who wants to do the same thing I am still going to require you to attend all sessions so that everyone is on the same page.
Given your description of the class I don't know what may be missing.
Here's the thing with a private class to get the dives in and fill in any gaps in the education part. I get a daily rate for that in order to cover my expenses. That rate is based on location, expenses (which I am willing to split a room), and just how much time we need to accomplish everything. The 2 dives Friday and Saturday with one Sunday are not negotiable. In a class situation, I am not going to do more than that. The 3 dive day is all skills that I need to see as well as assessing just where you are skills wise. We don't go deep, but that's so we can spend a lot of time on those skills. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are actual decompression dives.

 

[decompression]

Big recommendation for Jim.....

 

[abnfrog]

im an an/dp instructor trainer , but in your area I would say go to jim l his rep is solid and professional

 

[CptTightPants21]

Jim has an excellent reputation.

I have also heard good things about Duane Johnson at Precision Diving although he may have recently stopped teaching. Certainly worth an email to verify.

 

[mainedvr]

Big recommendation for Jim.....

I don't know Jim personally but when I lived in ME I heard about him and that he is what he say's he is. As well I have seen him on SB for years.

 

[cerich]

to having too many students and trying to split his time between teams, and more. Needless to say, we didn't finish the course in the allotted time, and I really don't feel like going back for more of this. .

by split time with teams, can you explain what you mean?