Wookie, if you don't allow doubles of any kind on rec charters then not allowing SM doubles isn't really a valid point in this discussion, right? However, would you allow single tank SM on your rec charters? Why or why not?
As far as training minimums, I think the biggest concerns are gear configuration. A more experienced SM diver and/or SM instructor could point out their structure, but the minimum I'd like to see in a sidemount course is gear configuration options (razor/stealth vs SMS75 vs whatever), gear setup both reg and bc/tank/harness. I'd like to see proper tank alignment a big focus. OOA drills, valve feathering drills, gas management, and some physics. What does lengthening that do? How about lowering this? Not just what, but why.
Thank you ... it took a while, but this is more the sort of info I was hoping to see come out of the discussion ... anyone else?
I think a recreational level course needs to include a discussion of different type of sidemount rigs, how they work, pros and cons of various types of cylinders, how to set up your cylinders to prevent them "floating" as they get used, how moving the bands up/down or lengthening/shortening the leashes will affect tank trim, weighting choices and how to position your weights for optimal trim, regulator hose choices and routing, managing different types of entries, managing your air supply, managing OOA in sidemount, and managing unconscious divers and/or rescue tows in sidemount.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
---------- Post added March 11th, 2014 at 07:51 AM ----------
I disagree. You've just said that the customer is always right. How would "I want to dive with the Helldivers, and make multiple repetitive 300 foot air dives. Will you teach me to do this?" go over with you? If there is a valid need for sidemount, and you are a sidemount instructor or mentor, by all means, provide the training. Will you provide monkey diving training also?
I didn't say that at all ... I said we need to educate them on the advantages and drawbacks of their choices. Those were my exact words.
If someone wants me to teach them how to do something stupid, I'll refuse and tell them why. If they choose to do it anyway they can keep shopping around till they find an instructor who will. That happens all the time ... but that instructor won't be me. I will NOT, however, tell anyone that they don't "need" to dive a particular configuration ... because that choice isn't inherently dangerous, although using it improperly might be. Personally, I tend to avoid people who try to tell me what I need ... because often their idea of need is based on THEIR personal preferences, and not need at all. I've seen people take the exact same approach with things like BP/W or even something as simple as a choice of dive light, and to my concern those sorts of instructor are usually basing their training on ignorance and ego. My job isn't to enforce my beliefs on others ... it's to provide them with information that will allow them to make good choices. Once informed, it's their job to decide for themselves how they want to dive.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
---------- Post added March 11th, 2014 at 08:00 AM ----------
I see your points Bob and I am not telling anyone to not use SM. Im simply saying a 40' dive with a good buddy team does not require two tanks. I just dont get why people insist on using SM for everything. You like what you like I guess. The exception here is when you are training for a dive that does require the use of two or more cylinders.
Not everyone has access to multiple sets of dive equipment. Not everyone wants that access, or the expense that comes with purchasing and maintaining it. As dive instructors, we do because we have to.
Many people see advantages in diving the same configuration all the time, whether the dive is to 40 feet or 100 feet. It's less about need than it is about "muscle memory" and familiarity with equipment and procedures to be better prepared to deal with the unforeseen.
Where I live there is easy access to many shore dives that would push the limits of recreational depth and NDL, and there are many dive sites that are 40 feet or less. There are even sites that will allow you to do either profile from the same entry point. Is it practical to take two rigs along, and change rigs between dives 1 and 2?
Those are just off-the-top-of-my-head justifications. As instructors, it's impossible for us to know or judge someone else's motivations for the choices they make. And as I said earlier, it's irrelevent. I don't choose gear for my students, with the exception of those taking OW class. Once beyond that entry-level point, I want them to be educated to make their own choices. Diving's as much about making good choices as it is about having good skills ... and I want my students to adopt that mindset from day 1. For that reason, I will never tell a student what they "need" ... I'll put my effort instead into telling them why that might be a good or bad choice, and let them decide for themselves. Like every other skill, the more practice they get at making decisions the better they'll get at it.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
