This is the version of the facts of the class in which this student was enrolled straight from the Instructor in question. I own the LDS in question.
First of all, the class in which “seastargf” was enrolled actually took place in August, not “recently or in September” as has been asserted.
Secondly, she claims there were 10 people in her class. There were actually 7, of which she was indeed the only female.
Third, I in many cases have been told I am too relaxed with my students. That is about as far from “military” as I can imagine. I like to tell jokes and stories in my classes, get to know my students, and ensure their success and happiness in my class, as well as their diving experiences afterwards. I have had numerous students (including many females and mothers of young students) write letters to the agency through which I certify divers praising my efforts and my patience. With over 300 student certifications of all levels to my name and literally hundreds more students I have worked with in the classroom and pool, I feel like I know when a student is having difficulties and can take the appropriate measures to ensure their success. I have also had many students struggle with various skills only to overcome them and find great success in their diving instruction based upon my suggestions and my patience and understanding.
Fourth, on the first day of class everyone did quite well and the classroom and pool work went smoothly. “Seastargf” had a few difficulties with her mask but was able to overcome them making me feel comfortable with her, so she could continue with the pool skills the next day. Class went well on the first day, and we accomplished everything I wanted to and then some. I was very pleased. When the second day arrived I told the class first thing that morning that because class had gone well the day before I didn’t imagine we would need the entire time allotted and I anticipated us getting out early. Not wanting to back myself into a corner, I also told the class that we would “play it by ear” as far as time was concerned, and that I was making no promises. At no time did I ever rush the class through or try to insinuate that I had better, or more important things to do than to teach my students how to scuba dive. After we finished the class work and the final we got into the pool. This was at about 10:30am. It was too early for lunch, so I decided we would get a few things done and then break for lunch, depending on how far along we were. Again, I told my students we would “see how things go”.
“Seastargf” began having problems on the second day with the very same mask skills, which she had worked through the day before. Having seen such scenarios before, I was patient with her and worked with her, attempting to show her every way I knew to work through this problem. Having helped hundreds through the same issues, I knew what I was talking about. “Seastargf” would not heed my advice, however, and would not listen to what I was saying, similar to the first day when I was forced to repeat many explanations because she was not paying attention. When we were underwater she several times tried to spit her regulator out of her mouth. Thinking back on previous experiences, I gently placed my hand on her regulator to hold it in several times until she tried to force my hand away from her regulator. At that point I decided we should surface and talk about what was going on. After some surface discussions, we again submerged and tried again. “Seastargf” made the same mistakes over and over again, clearly not listening to my advice. After about 30 minutes of trying with her mask, I decided I couldn’t keep my other 6 students (who had all successfully completed the skill) waiting any longer.
On the surface, I told “Seastargf” that I wanted her to stay in the pool with us and practice some of the other skills. I promised her that I wouldn’t ask her to do anything more with her mask that day. I suggested trying the bathtub at home as well as some other common remedies. I also told her that I was not comfortable enough with her skill level at that time to allow her to move to the open water portion of the class. I told her that she was more than welcome to finish with another class for free, or if she felt private lessons would help, those were available for $50 per session (NOT per hour as she has stated). I told her that more than likely one private session would finish the pool, at which time she would be able to move to the open water. I was extremely patient and diplomatic, and at no time did I bash her skills or make her feel like scuba diving was not for her. My decision not to allow her to finish the pool that day was for her own safety and enjoyment. The charge for the private lessons is to get people to try to stick with the regular classes (which again, she was told, she could go into at no additional charge) as the LDS for which I teach likes to see the comradery among students and the oftentimes lifelong bond formed between students as they learn to dive. She decided at this point, however, that she wanted to leave, despite the fact that I told her I wanted her to stay and even practice with me after the rest of the class was finished if she felt up to it. The time she got out of the pool was at about 11:30am. Hardly, in my opinion, working through lunch.
The next week “seastargf” contacted the LDS and again was told she could finish with another class for no additional charge. She was also offered the private option. Collectively, as an LDS, we have certified thousands of female divers who had been elated at our professionalism, our care, our patience, and our understanding. If she was not pleased with my teaching methods there were other instructors at the LDS from whom she could have taken lessons to finish her class.
Furthermore, the pool in which I was conducting “seastargf’s” class is 17 feet wide with pristine visibility. “Seastargf” claims I was too far away from her for her to be able to see me or for me to be able to effectively instruct her. This is absolutely not true. Any distance between “seastargf” and myself is because she chose to sit in the pool rather than kneel down, thus placing her legs between her and me. I asked her repeatedly to kneel down as the rest of the class was doing. She, for some reason however, refused to do so.
Another person posted a comment about “seastargf” having been through 3 Discover Scubas and still had problems with the mask. Any dive professional familiar with Discover Scuba knows that mask flooding is an essential part of that introduction.
The fact that “Seastargf” is somewhat articulate (albeit less than accurate) coupled with another LDS in town now engaged in a negative marketing campaign on Scubaboard is not helping the situation. Those of you who have read what I have written thus far should be able to paint for yourself a clear picture. The LDS for which I teach and I are not villains we have been portrayed. We simply have a misunderstanding coupled with an unsatisfied customer who prefers to get online and “stir the pot” rather than to try to remedy the problem with us.
BTW, the offer to come back and take classes for no charge with another Instructor still stands.
