Did some training with Boris today he had a open water course, a french lady who had completed her theory in online elearning form and just needed to complete the skills in the pool. The verbal instruction was in french but even so Boris' teaching is quite clear from his underwater signals, another good trainer. Each instructor has a little bit of a different style and way to instruct. Boris emphasizes buoyancy more than some which is something I like and would encourage in students if I am ever to teach. Common mistake for beginners to go up and down or try to use their BCD to control going up and down and over compensating, its really more for fine adjustment as you descend or ascend. Controlling your breathing is what really keeps you gliding level through the water you get better with practice. Boris' reinforcement on this really helps the new open water trainee to feel a bit comfortable swimming around in the pool. Picked up a few little tricks watching today things that are not necessarily in the manual but make life easier.
Alas I was planning some photo's of the skills practice but when in the pool disaster struck, my camera flooded! To Olympus I say BOO!!! Not that bad really the camera is 3 years old, maybe the rubber seals had worn out a little over time. I can see water behind the display so I know its 100% dead.
Then in the afternoon came a Junior Open Water Advanced certified diver, young boy from Australia about 14years old. After a pre-dive safety check and a buddy check (BWRAF Buoyancy, Weight, Releases, Air and Final Check Mask/Fins/everything tucked in) we head down to the beach. As we walk out I am just looking at my young friends SPG gauge dangling down when Giel decides to impose a beer fine for not getting that tucked in, 1st beer fine! I'm sure I will owe a few more by the end of the course; luckily we only count the ones he sees other wise I will end up just purchasing a keg!
This is my 1st time leading someone younger so of course I feel just a little nervous, but Giel is also around. As we go down of course the 1st thing my young friend wants to go is take his camera out so I indicate wait a minute we swim 1st as there is not much to see where we went down. I learned the other day that cameras and inexperienced divers are not working well together so I ask him to follow 1st to see how he goes. Giel intervenes a couple times on direction during the dive he knows the site better than I do and points me in the right direction. I am reminded(Or Giel reminded me) of some skills that I learned in the open water course but have not really used much. Following the contours in the sand and watching the depth and visual references is quite useful. This site lends itself to that type of navigation as opposed to using a compass. Which is still good for making your way back in a relatively straight line but not so great following the reef.
All went well I probably checked his air too often out of caution and eye can't say my route over the reef was perfect but it was a nice dive none the less & my young dive buddy went from quiet before the dive to my best friend and chatter box after the dive. He's coming back tomorrow on the boat diving with his mother another certified diver. One more tip from Giel: dive with a predictable plan following straight lines or following the reef.
Alas I was planning some photo's of the skills practice but when in the pool disaster struck, my camera flooded! To Olympus I say BOO!!! Not that bad really the camera is 3 years old, maybe the rubber seals had worn out a little over time. I can see water behind the display so I know its 100% dead.
Then in the afternoon came a Junior Open Water Advanced certified diver, young boy from Australia about 14years old. After a pre-dive safety check and a buddy check (BWRAF Buoyancy, Weight, Releases, Air and Final Check Mask/Fins/everything tucked in) we head down to the beach. As we walk out I am just looking at my young friends SPG gauge dangling down when Giel decides to impose a beer fine for not getting that tucked in, 1st beer fine! I'm sure I will owe a few more by the end of the course; luckily we only count the ones he sees other wise I will end up just purchasing a keg!
This is my 1st time leading someone younger so of course I feel just a little nervous, but Giel is also around. As we go down of course the 1st thing my young friend wants to go is take his camera out so I indicate wait a minute we swim 1st as there is not much to see where we went down. I learned the other day that cameras and inexperienced divers are not working well together so I ask him to follow 1st to see how he goes. Giel intervenes a couple times on direction during the dive he knows the site better than I do and points me in the right direction. I am reminded(Or Giel reminded me) of some skills that I learned in the open water course but have not really used much. Following the contours in the sand and watching the depth and visual references is quite useful. This site lends itself to that type of navigation as opposed to using a compass. Which is still good for making your way back in a relatively straight line but not so great following the reef.
All went well I probably checked his air too often out of caution and eye can't say my route over the reef was perfect but it was a nice dive none the less & my young dive buddy went from quiet before the dive to my best friend and chatter box after the dive. He's coming back tomorrow on the boat diving with his mother another certified diver. One more tip from Giel: dive with a predictable plan following straight lines or following the reef.
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