Live news broadcast on the cave channel: Strange running stampede of people in scuba gear from northern FL to GA in progress...
Teach and let teach. That's really the crux of the matter here. Every instructor approaches their craft differently and that's OK. I like the diversity. There are many, many instructors that teach in a manner that I would never emulate. Some yell and demean their students. Some are quite meek and seem to apologize for their students' mistakes. Some teach on their knees, some lack patience, and few are as good looking. The proof is in their results. How do their students look? How safe are their students? Posting things like "run away" does exactly what the poster was complaining about: it oversimplifies a complex process that he hasn't even experienced. Learn and let learn. In reality, there are only a few instructors that I have sought to emulate. Mike Brady, Georgia Hauserman,
@Capt Tom McCarthy,
@Capt Jim Wyatt and yes, Reggie Ross. Each one taught me valuable skills or instilled crucial insights that have changed how I teach. There are a few other instructors I would like to see in action. Edd Sorenson, Ted McCoy,
@Trace Malinowski,
@kensuf and Lamar Hires top that list. They are my creme de la creme of the instructor genre and you probably can't go wrong with any of them. No, they aren't the only great instructors out there, and no one should feel slighted if I left you off of my Dream Team.
On the flip side, there are many more instructors that I have tried to "de-emulate" but you'll probably never know who they are. I learned how I didn't want to teach by witnessing their antics in and out of the water. They don't impress me much, but they still might be the perfect instructor for you. Instead of saying "run away", I would rather discuss the positive attributes of those instructors that wow me.
Dive and let dive. Teach and let teach. Learn and let learn. What you think is the best way to go isn't accepted by everyone.
@dewdropsonrosa has chosen the best way for her and has learned to "call the class" when things weren't going the way she thought they should. Flexibility in goals and approaches are a hallmark of a great diver. It's part of my second rule of diving, aka "The Rule of Fun". You can call a dive (or class) at any time for any reason with no questions asked and no repercussions. IOW, if you're not having fun, you should STOP, analyze the situation and make appropriate adjustments. I see a great future for Rosa in cave diving and look forward to her next brutally honest analysis of her continued journey in learning. I wish her well and hopefully we'll get to dive together someday. I'm patient, so don't feel in a rush to make that next step.
I like Rosa's moxie and she reminds me a lot of Lynn.
