...what do you do to be the perfect instructor?
There is no such thing as the "perfect Instructor." Any comparison I can make can only be made in comparison with myself not others. Although I'm a better Instructor than I use to be, I'm still learning.
In the past 38 years of teaching, I have found that there are things I do that result in a safer Diver. As I believe it is the Instructor's job is to do this, my value as an Instructor can only be determined when the competence of the divers I produce are evaluated. That is the only yardstick. I won't certify a "work-in-progress."
1. I insure that the student has the necessary knowledge and in-water ability that will prepare him/her for open-water. To do this, I run a 50 hour training program. The goal is to create a diver who can dive in a buddy team, independent of supervision.
2. Training is not piece-meal and insures that the Student has the necessary rescue skills to be a productive member of the buddy team on the
first open-water dive. For me to do less, is to not adequately prepare the Student.
3. I do not integrate Students into an organizational mentality. They don't chant Agency mantras, nor think any one Agency is the be all and end all of diving education. The focal point is on building personal diving knowledge and in-water competence.
4. All aspects required of basic diving are covered however stress is particularly given on the Buddy System, buoyancy control, air consumption / dive planning, CESA (50'), and rescue & emergency procedures. As the divers are trained to dive in teams without supervision, the aspects of dive site assessment, tide charts and current predictions are included.
5. I encourage new Divers to continue their diving education after they accumulate a minimum of 25 hours of diving. Mentors are available through the Dive Club I teach through and dives are held usually twice a week, 52 weeks of the year.
6. I do not solely teach basic and Advanced diver programs and also certify DMs and Instructors. This aids me by requiring a broader use of my knowledge base to remain current.