35 replies to this topic

[Diverbrian]

As to the RDP, that is a multilevel dive planning tool that is taught by one agency. The agencies that don't use it teach standard tables. I couldn't use an RDP, but I can run a square dive table quite easily as well as use a computer.

The RDP is a table designed for square profile diving,the multi-level dive planning tool I think your refering to is the Wheel.Of course now we have the eRDP avalible...

My bad... I was thinking of the wheel. To me, tables are tables. To me, they mostly read the same with the exception of the ones that list the deco stops. And I to gather that RDP is a fancy name for tables then? I ask because, I have not been introduced to this term with experience in two agencies (three if you count the agency responsible for most of my technical training).

I am sure that the instructors in our shop would extend the same invite as the other dive pros here. Our LDS owner is an Instructor Certifier with SSI and definitely does one of the better jobs that I have seen of teaching new instructors. If you have an issue with an SSI instructor, he another of the quality control people for the Midwest. Help with a few classes or become a dive pro and you see what the world is like when divers are just starting. You may find that things aren't as simple as they appear on paper for those that haven't participated in a recreational class since their OW/AOW.

I am an SSI dive pro who often functions with NAUI dive classes for another college instructor who is short on divemasters. That instructor is a very demanding instructor and I have had safety issues with one of her students who slipped through (and received many apologies from her in spite of the fact that this gentleman promptly blew off everything that she taught him once he was done with the class.) I dive around classes of all stripes when I am not working. I wish that I had the time and money for instructor work some days, but see our thread on sleep, LOL.

[rekdivr]

but nonetheless, some people should not be instructors; regardless of the discipline.

annasea,

I couldnt agree with you more,

i hope your experiences since then have been fun

chris

[gcbryan]

I think what's missing from these kinds of discussions is the realization that someone has to deal with new students. Once divers progress and possibly have a tech or more advanced class/instructor they wish it could have been like that in their OW class. But it can't be.

If any advanced class instructors are bashing OW instructors then truely they should also start teaching OW classes as well and the bashing would probably stop. I'm not an instructor or DM by the way.

[Capn Jack]

I think what's missing from these kinds of discussions is the realization that someone has to deal with new students. Once divers progress and possibly have a tech or more advanced class/instructor they wish it could have been like that in their OW class. But it can't be.

If any advanced class instructors are bashing OW instructors then truely they should also start teaching OW classes as well and the bashing would probably stop. I'm not an instructor or DM by the way.

Nothing makes you learn more than trying to teach.

I don't think Instructor/DM is for everyone, but most instructors I know welcome passive participants. Rescue is one class I've had several friends tell me they like refresh themselves on by sitting through and going on the open water portion. I think most divers would be astonished to see an OW class - how well it's taught - and to realize how far they've come since that first blast of compressed gas filling their lungs.

Ask - it can't hurt.

Edited by Capn Jack, 15 May 2006 - 12:49 PM.

[gcbryan]

Nothing makes you learn more than trying to teach.

I don't think Instructor/DM is for everyone, but most instructors I know welcome passive participants. Rescue is one class I've had several friends tell me they like refresh themselves on by sitting through and going on the open water portion. I think most divers would be astonished to see an OW class - how well it's taught - and to realize how far they've come since that first blast of compressed gas filling their lungs.

Ask - it can't hurt.

I've helped out with a few classes as a favorite to the instuctor and sometimes I've been impressed and sometimes not but it has taught me that I definitely don't want to be a DM/Instructor

[peterbj7]

Minor clarification - dives in the PADI course are now at instructor's discretion, not the student's. Follows the lead of other agencies including IANTD. The dives really add nothing and if a diver needs to do the dives I question the diver's overall ability.

I like teaching the PADI notrox course because it teases out so many areas of poor understanding. Because of that the course (classroom only) usually takes me a full day to teach (assuming the student hasn't done any preparation). Mind you, I prefer teaching the IANTD course as it has so much more in it.

I have a beef. How is it that anyone can function as a dive professional, divemaster or above, without being at least a nitrox diver? How is it that dive agencies don't have nitrox as a pre-requisite to leadership training?