This response raises some very interesting points. The excerpted question was:
And, although I didn't see a specific answer, I think you are saying 'one', with the 'recommendation' to do several more. Is that correct?BDSC:How many times are students asked to perform a verticle CESA during the open water training?...
This is an interesting idea, and I really like the concept of having students practice the CESA multiple times during the OW dives (particularly without me having to go up and down with each student individually, each time), and I had not thought of trying this approach. As I understand your post you ask (but don't require) them to perform a CESA each time they ascend. Is this the ascent to the safety stop? Or, to the surface? Yes, I gather that you are not doing it this way to meet the performance requirement of the OW dive, but you are using an ascent that they would be doing anyway to give them more practice on the CESA.DCBC:Every dive requires an ascent. I recommend that the diver undertake a CESA (regulator in the mouth) on each ascent as a matter of routine.
I read this as a 45 foot CESA, if you are starting at 60 FSW. Is this the one you do to meet the performance requirement? While this could not be done in PADI OW (at least, not from 60 FSW), I am not familiar enough with other agency standards to know which ones specify what maximum depths (PADI specifies 30ft). Which agency are your certifying OW students under, where you apply this? The idea of more practice to allow them to become more comfortable on the CESA seems very appealing.DCBC:In OW, the CESA is done in 60 FSW to the safety stop. . . . I have yet to have a Student be unsuccessful on his/her first attempt.