Private rescue class

[spc751]

I want to do a rescue class soon and would like some comments.

One option is to do the class with my lds (ssi). This is $350 plus book, plus card if I want a card. I do not trust their training but it would be easy to take the course and a poor course is better than nothing.

Option two is a private class at a shop (padi) in another city. I really like the training provided in this shop but the only way I can do the course is as a private class as they do the regular class over two weeks (4 evenings and 1 full weekend). The private class is $600 but includes everything (equipment, book, card, efr, o2).

I do not mind spending the extra money and I know I would be getting a lot more for my money, however, will I be missing something by not taking it with other students?

 

[TMHeimer]

I'm no expert, but I would say no. You'd have to do all the skills with your private instructor as the victim-- who would obviously do a great job playing that role. I would also guess that since there are so many possible rescue scenarios in real life that not being in a class with 3-4 others wouldn't make a difference. As a former teacher, I would say that one on one instruction is probably way better than group--for any activity. Obviously there would have to be others present for the final open water scenarios.

 

[Kevrumbo]

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[Bob DBF]

Stress and Rescue has First Aid and CPR certificate as a prerequisite so add in the cost for that which will reduce the gap in price.

I'd spend the money. In my rescue class I spent a lot of time waiting, only once did I need the break.


Bob

 

[Dive-aholic]

It depends on how the shop runs the course. Personally, I don't offer private rescue classes. Part of the experience is in working with other divers on the rescues. I also run a scenario based rescue class in which all scenarios are unannounced. They just happen. It would be difficult to do that in a private class. The more students the better.

 

[Scott]

It depends on how the shop runs the course. Personally, I don't offer private rescue classes. Part of the experience is in working with other divers on the rescues. I also run a scenario based rescue class in which all scenarios are unannounced. They just happen. It would be difficult to do that in a private class. The more students the better.

Tried it once and it just dosen't work for my course for the same reasons Rob mentioned.

See if they would consider trying a different schedule. They may be surprised and some of their own students may sign up because it more meets their availability.

 

[spc751]

Thanks for the help. I prefer to take a group class but I do not know if it will happen.

I asked the shop if I could do elearning for the theory and join the class for the water training. The shop does private classes for efr and o2 so I could do that as well. They suggested doing the whole class private.

I have taken four other private courses from this shop and am happy with them but I am not sure if I would be missing too much in a private rescue class.

 

[Montana Diver]

My rescue class involved shadowing several confined dive OW classes. After the OW students left, we critiqued the class and identified the potential problems and discussed solutions for for those issues. I found this process very enlightening. I now spend time on every dive analyzing the other divers. I have seen some great divers that just earned their c-card and divers on advanced dives that had no clue.

The other reason I analyze is to try and make certain that I am not the poorest diver in the group. As my instructor told me after finishing the Rescue class, "Don't go out and embarrass me by doing something stupid."

 

[TSandM]

I actually think you would miss a great deal by doing a private class. Rescue really is about managing real situations, and in a real situation, you are going to have to handle a number of people, some of whom will understand better than others what needs to be done. And the more bodies involved, the more chaos ensues . . . I would very highly recommend taking a class, even if you aren't thrilled with the quality, with a group of people. Having been involved in several rescue attempt situations, I know quite well what actually happens.

 

[Searcaigh]

Been 20 years since I did my Rescue course but I remember it well as it was one of the most enjoyable courses as far as learning about diving that I ever did. This course was done over 6 weeks at the weekends and involved many of the instructor's OW/AOW/DM students covering many scenarios, which would be impossible to do over a weekend.

I would encourage you to look for a course that takes more than a weekend and involves more people.