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My DSD in Marathon Key in 1998 was 1:1 ratio, not more than 24 ft. Instructor was arms length away. Gear and use thereof was clearly explained.
Excuse my poor memory (its been > 10 years since I got my OW), but what do the PADI training standards say about the 1st OW dive? And what is the basic difference between this an a DSD ?
Excuse my poor memory (its been > 10 years since I got my OW), but what do the PADI training standards say about the 1st OW dive? And what is the basic difference between this an a DSD ?
I am not sure what you are asking. Let me take a stab at it.
The first OW dive is actually similar to a Discover Scuba program. The confined water requirements are about the same in both. The new open water requirements are a little different, but an adjustment can be made. In fact, it is possible to count a DSD toward the OW course:
Manual Page 35:
Discover Scuba Diving to Open Water Diver Course
If you (the instructor) conduct and ensure that participants
master Open Water Diver course Confined Water Dive 1 skills
during the Discover Scuba Diving program, participants are
eligible for Confined Water Dive 1 credit.
If you (the instructor) goes on to brief and conduct Open
Water Dive 1 with the participants who have mastered
Confined Water Dive 1 skills, they are eligible to get credit for
completing Open Water Dive 1.
This means that it has to be an instructor, not a specially trained DM teaching the class. It also means the students must go through the full requirements of the OW class, some of which are skimped on in a pool only class. For example, if you are going one on one with a student in a pool, you aren't likely to make sure the student masters both methods of regulator recovery. let's face it--it's not going to be a necessary skill then. If, on the other hand, you know the student may want to count the experience toward OW, then you would make sure it meets the requirements.