Scuba Instructor Training

Check out photos plus a couple more!

2011-07-06T22:01:00.001-05:00

It is Finished

2011-07-04T08:51:00.001-05:00

I am happy to say that the two candidates are now Scuba Instructors. Their six months of hard work have payed off.

Now comes the real learning!

The card is just a piece of plastic, you are what is important. How you conduct yourself, the knowledge you command and the way you share it with others is the measure that is seen. Represent yourself well, represent those who trained you, well.

All eyes are upon you, everyone will be listening with keen ears. You can no longer dive without being viewed as a professional, an open water scuba instructor. Make sure what people see, is something they want to be.

Think back now to the beginning, to the time you wanted to learn of the underwater world. Remember the awe and pure joy! Share this and your love of diving with your students. If you do this, you can't go wrong.

Congratulations John and Arbrey! I expect you to be better, better than me! Be Safe and have Fun!

1 Jul 11 What was done

2011-07-01T23:44:00.000-05:00

Classroom Teaching Presentations

Number Date Presenter Topic

1 23 Feb 11 JB Scuba Mask

1 23 Feb 11 AS Snorkel

2 16 Mar 11 JB Wet Suit

2 16 Mar 11 AS Buoyancy Compensator

3 23 Mar 11 JB Scuba Mask

3 23 Mar 11 AS Snorkel

4 23 Mar 11 JB Wet Suit

4 23 Mar 11 AS Buoyancy Compensator

5 30 Mar 11 JB Scuba Tank

5 30 Mar 11 AS Safety Skills

6 6 Apr 11 JB MOD

6 6 Apr 11 AS Best Mix

7 14 Apr 11 JB Best Mix

7 14 Apr 11 AS MOD

8 20 Apr 11 JB NOAA Oxygen Table

8 20 Apr 11 AS Equivalent Air Depth

9 27 Apr 11 JB Deep Diving

9 27 Apr 11 AS Search and Recovery

10 4 May 11 AS Boyle's Law

10 11 May 11 JB Boyle's Law

11 11 May 11 AS Charles Law

11 18 May 11 JB Amonton's Law

12 25 May 11 JB Negligence Flow Chart

12 25 May 11 AS Amontons' Law

13 4 Jun 11 JB Preventing Dive Accidents

13 4 Jun 11 AS Environmental Awareness

14 8 Jun 11 JB General Gas Law

14 8 Jun 11 AS Air Consumption

15 8 Jun 11 JB Preventing Dive Accidents

15 8 Jun 11 AS Buoyancy Compensator

16 15 Jun 11 JB Divemaster

16 15 Jun 11 AS MOD

17 15 Jun 11 JB Amontons' Law

18 22 Jun 11 JB Best Mix

18 22 Jun 11 AS Boyle's Law

19 22 Jun 11 JB Scuba Tank

19 22 Jun 11 AS Buoyancy Compensator

20 30 Jun 11 JB General Gas Law

20 30 Jun 11 AS Boyle's Law

Open Water Brief/Debrief

1 15 Jun 11 JB TSP

1 15 Jun 11 AS TSP

2 22 Jun 11 JB CSSP

2 22 Jun 11 AS CSSP

3 30 Jun 11 JB CSSP

3 30 Jun 11 AS CSSP

Confined Water Presentations

Number Date Presenter Topic

1 10 May 11 JB Partial Flood Mask

1 10 May 11 AS Alternate Air Share

2 17 May 11 AS Gear Don

2 24 May 11 JB Regulator Recoveries

3 17 May 11 AS Fin Don

3 1 Jun 11 JB Finning

4 17 May 11 AS Share Air

4 1 Jun 11 JB Hover

5 17 May 11 AS No mask swim

5 1 Jun 11 JB Scuba Rescue

6 24 May 11 AS Snorkel

6 7 Jun 11 JB Pike Skin Dive

7 1 Jun 11 AS Mask Clears

7 7 Jun 11 JB Surface Scuba Unit Remove/Replace

8 1 Jun 11 AS Neutral Buoyancy

8 7 Jun 11 JB Scuba Rescue

9 1 Jun 11 AS Scuba Rescue

9 21 Jun 11 JB Mask Clears

10 21 Jun 11 JB Hover

10 21 Jun 11 AS Share Air

11 21 Jun 11 AS Snorkel

12 23 Jun 11 AS Pike Skin Dive

13 23 Jun 11 AS Mask full flood/ remove/ replace

Last Night of Training Day 28 Academics

2011-06-30T23:35:00.000-05:00

Tonight was the last night of Scuba Instructor training for John Branch and Arbrey Stiefer.

Tonight the Instructor Candidates presented Boyle's law, General Gas law and both gave a complete Open water Brief and Debrief.

Both IC's show command of the knowledge, organization and innovation.

Saturday they will demonstrate to another Instructor Trainer and Course Director what skills they have and if they believe that each is competent to teach their own loved one.

No endorsement can be higher!

After nearly one half of a year of training, I believe these men are ready to become Open Water Scuba Instructors. Saturday they will prove it.

Last week of Training, Day 23,24,25,26 and 27

2011-06-29T22:54:00.000-05:00

Since the last posting much has happened. Two academic and two water sessions completed with Gary Peacock (NAUI Instructor), Billy Hunter (NAUI Instructor) was also in attendence for some of the training.

In water presentations were given on: mask clears, Hover, Share air, snorkel, Pike dive, mask clears with remove and replace.

Classroom presentions were given on: Best mix, Scuba tank, Boyles law, BC, Nitrox MOD.

Last night we finished the final chapter, Chapter 18, The Business of Diving and did a final review of materials to be tested on.

Tomorrow night, polished and professional presentations.
Time to buckle down and do what you need to do!

Instructor check out this weekend at Clear Springs Scuba Park.

Day 22 Academics

2011-06-08T23:38:00.000-05:00

This was make or break night. It was a double Make!!!
In attendance tonight were Instructors Valorie Hearn and Gary Peacock.

The IC's presented the General Gas Law, Air Consumption, Preventing Dive Accidents and the BC.

I saw some real work that has payed off! Now to finish strong!

For the next 2 weeks Instructor Gary Peacock will be manning the helm.

The IC's will give a New Leadership level presentation, 20 min. and a reworked Scuba presentation 10 min.. They will also give the open water presentation brief for scuba diving students, alternating between TSP and CSSP.

Things to concentrate on:
Polished and professional
Training aids
Correct terminology
Correct handouts
No negative or self demeaning comments
Practicing with board and training aids

Rework all your old presentations. Write an outline and give to the Instructor over each topic. Write out your confined water briefs. Fine tune the Open water brief and presentation.

Some facts: 4 months of training, 19 weeks, 23 sessions, 15 classroom presentations, 7/8 confined water presentations, 1 open water briefing, reviewed the standards and procedures, risk management handbook, chp. 13 risk management and insurance, chp. 16 teaching theory and instructional techniques, chp. 17 Teaching NAUI diving courses and programs.

That is all!

Day 21 Pool session

2011-06-07T22:25:00.000-05:00

Only one IC tonight. On hand was Instructor Gary Peacock for critical evaluation. The night began with a scuba bailout.
The confined water presentations tonight were on surface gear remove and replace, and skin dive Pike dive. These were the best yet by John. Of note, John treaded water the entire time he was presenting the skill.

The IC was fortunate to have a scuba diver, who was trying out some new gear, to act as his student. The diver was run through the following skills: mask clears, regulator recoveries and out of air share alternate air. The diver then acted as a downed diver in the deep end for a scuba rescue.

After this the IC did a complete scuba diver skill set including hover. He was then asked to remove his scuba gear underwater, swim out clearing snorkel, return dive down, ditch mask and fins, surface, recover mask and fins, surface, recover scuba unit.

Some lessons learned...
1. Short and to the point, is sweet.
2. Endurance training is helpful.
3. Even the best have off nights.
4. Instructors must be able to perform well under all circumstances.
5. Perseverance pays off.

That is all! Big night tomorrow. Make or Break night.

Day 20 Academics

2011-06-07T11:39:00.000-05:00

Class was early but productive!

The IC's gave presentations on Preventing Diving Accidents and Environmental Awarness. Fine tuning continues. The is always room for improvement to make it polished and professional. Good ideas were discussed for training aids.

We completed Chapter 17. And we saw the Ubertube in action!

Next week, pool skin and scuba confined water presentations, Pool brief, demonstration quality displays of all skills. Academics, make or break day on the 8th. This will be the day to decide if you go forward or if more training is required. Two presentations will be made, 1 professional level and one reworked scuba level. The full brief for dive location will be made. Lastly, chapter 18 will be covered, the business of diving.

Work hard, work hard now. This is the critical time.

Day 19 pool

2011-06-01T08:25:00.000-05:00

We worked it out this night! Instructors Gary And Billy were on hand for some feedback.
The evening began with a bailout, have to concentrate on demonstration quality. Spare mask check was made. The IC next did a gear and mask off buddy breath swim exercise. This was followed by gear removal and swim away.

The IC then gave there confined water presentations over mask clears and finning.this was followed by scuba presentation on hovering and neutral buoyancy.

The IC then did Mask off hover. Next, they demonstrated an ow scuba rescue.

Good class this night, but always room for improvement.

Day 18 academics

2011-05-25T23:11:00.000-05:00

Tonight we had the talk...

The IC's were given the instructor evaluation requirements again. We went over the classroom presentation, the confined water presentation, the open water brief/debrief presentation requirements. I emphasized that all skills should be demonstration quality and the any skill could be asked of them.

We will decided on June 8th, to proceed to evaluation or not. This is a question that they must ask themselves and that I will evaluate on that day.

Classroom presentations were given on the Negligence flow chart and Amontons' law. We reviewed the standards and procedures.

Next week, we cover chapter 17 in the leadership manuel. The ICs will give a leadership level classroom presentation. They will also begin the brief/debrief for CSSP and TSP. Each IC will give one skin diver and one scuba diver confined water presentation.

Time to nut up or shut up boys! Study Hard starting now!
That is all.

Day 17 Pool Session

2011-05-24T23:12:00.000-05:00

Tonight was a good night. Lots of learning happened this night. The two IC's were in attendence as well as Instructor Gary Peacock.

Skills performed: Scuba Bail out, Remove scuba gear under water with swim out, Ditch mask/fins/snorkel (MFS), breath hold swim 25 meters, dive and recover MFS, Pike dive to recover MFS, Pike dive to recover scuba unit, tread water with scuba unit with out air in BC.

Two confined water presentations were given. 1 regulator recoveries and 2 mask floods.
Following this, scuba unit was ditched and skin diving began. After skin diving several hundred yards, the IC did an additional 100 yard tired diver tow.

A good night. Learning points: every skill should be demonstration quality, following the format and reading notes is good in the confined water brief, slow is good,
practice, practice, practice

Private Scuba Training

2011-05-22T23:39:00.007-05:00

My good friend Gary Peacock is offering private instruction. You can see more information by going to his website.

Gary Peacock NAUI Instructor Site

http://www.garypeacock.com/Home_Page.php

He has my highest endorsement! I bet you are wondering why, right? Well you could say I helped him on his path to becoming a most excellent Instructor. So if there are any problems at all come see me, as I was part of his training. Gary is doing what every instructor dreams, exceeding all expectations.

You can bet one thing for sure, I would not endorse him if I did not trust him with my most Loved Ones. That Is the Best thing I can say.

He loves diving and teaching you to dive!

Day 16 academics

2011-05-22T23:20:00.001-05:00

Tonight only one IC was available. In attendance was instructor Gary Peacock.

A presentation was given on Amontons law.

Serious headway is being made. Lots of suggestions were offered.

Correct terminology is a must! Some good ideas were tossed around for training aids.

IC's must have command of the master book, the leadership and instruction book, risk management and the S&P.

Next week confined water presentation on Tuesday,Wednesday another classroom presentation, leadership level. We will begin the S&P.

That is all!

Day 15 pool session

2011-05-22T22:59:00.000-05:00

Tonight only one candidate was available. A good opportunity presented itself. A student in open water missed a class. The IC was given the opportunity to take over and present the confined water session. Things started pretty well, the prescribed format was followed... Initially! Then as we found out, old dive master habits die hard. The format must be followed, on everything, it is a confined water presentation.

Donning gear at poolside, fin donning with buddy, giant stride entry, underwater gear remove and replace, surface r/r, alternate air share, mask clears, hover was all gone over with the student.

The IC did gear removal, air off, swim to surface, ditch m/f/s , 25 yard underwater swim with booties on, m/f/s replace, breath hold gear replacement.

All and all a good evening! Thanks for the evaluation by Instructor Gary Peacock.

Use a copy of the confined water format! That is all.

Day 14 academics

2011-05-15T22:36:00.001-05:00

Tonight two of the gas laws were covered. Arbrey presented Charles law, John presented Boyles law.

Everyone has the format down. Now working on content and professional delivery.

We had the good fortune to have Instructor Gary Peacock present. He gave feedback on the presentations.

Chapter 16 was finally completed. This chapter involves in depth conversations about being an instructor and what it entails transferring your knowledge to someone else.

Realizing when your students succeed, you succeed. That the greatest achievement is when the student surpasses the instructor! This is when you have done your job. Instructors leave a legacy, a representation of themselves in their students. Make it a good one.

Next week, each candidate will present a confined water presentation. We may go over a few skills, demonstration quality. Work on some endurance and breath holding. Classroom will be two more presentations and taking a look at the s&p.

Let's go divers time get busy!

Day 13 First pool session

2011-05-10T22:23:00.000-05:00

Tonight each instructor candidate gave a confined water presentation, partial mask flood and alternate air source air share. They next performed a complete skill cycle. Their gear configuration was gone over. They finished up with swimming.

Some things were learned, preparing with notes, demonstrating to standard, carrying an extra mask. Conditioning begins.

Day 12

2011-05-04T23:29:00.000-05:00

One diver was suspiciously absent...

Great presentation on Boyles law tonight. Will finish Chapter 16 when all divers present. Went over the student to instructor ratios tonight.

Expect to be in the pool next tuesday. Each diver will give a confined water presentation on a single skill.

Next week, more presentations on the gas laws.

Day 11 Classroom Presentation to Advanced Scuba Class

2011-04-27T22:51:00.000-05:00

Tonight the Candidates lectured and preformed a classroom Teaching Presentation to an Advanced Scuba Diving class. The topics were Search and Recovery followed by Deep Diving. It was the first experience with teaching to an actual class, not to just instructors!

I think a great amount of things were learned this evening. Command of Knowledge, Preparation, Practice, Outline, Organization and following the prescribed format!!!

Another presentation was also given on Lift Bags.

Critical evaluation was additionally provided by Instructor Peacock.

Next week first Pool session with a confined water presentation. This will be followed by classroom session where the divers will present a Leadership level or Master level class.

Confined Water Teaching Presentation

2011-04-25T23:03:00.000-05:00

•Confined water teaching presentation criteria

–Skill introduction
•[3] Was the importance or value established?
•[3] Was a statement of student performance objectives made?
•[3] Was the general sequence of the activity provided?

–Skill Practice and Evaluation
•[3] Was the exercise organized, safe, and controlled?
•[3] Was there a clear and accurate demonstration?
•[3] Was practice time efficient and observed?
•[3] Were skill deficiencies and errors identified and prescriptive coaching and remedial practice provided for?
•[3] Was there adequate student participation vs. passive listening or watching?
•[4] Was good use made of assistant(s)?
•[4] Was the exercise conducted enthusiastically?
•[4] Were appropriate games used effectively?
•[5] Was the presentation imaginative and innovative?
•[5] Was the exercise polished, smooth, and professional?

–Skill Transition
•[3] Were evaluations of student performance communicated to students?
•[3] Were key points identified?
•[4] Was good performance praised?
•[5] Were suggestions for practice and improvement made?

Maximum Operating Depth

2011-04-24T22:37:00.000-05:00

Safety Skills

2011-04-22T21:12:00.001-05:00

Wetsuits

2011-04-22T21:12:00.000-05:00

snorkel

2011-04-22T21:11:00.001-05:00

Mask

2011-04-22T21:11:00.000-05:00

BC or BCD redeax

2011-04-22T21:10:00.000-05:00

BC or BCD

2011-04-22T21:08:00.000-05:00

Day 10

2011-04-22T07:47:00.000-05:00

Great night! The divers lectured on Equivalent Air Depth and NOAA Oxygen exposure table. The presentations were the best yet.

Chapter 16 was began. Lots to talk about when it comes to teaching!

Next session we will finish chapter 16. The Instructor Cand. will present to the advanced class next wednesday.

Academic Areas of Study

2011-04-20T21:26:00.000-05:00

Standards and Procedures
Risk Management Handbook

Leadership and Instruction Book
   Chapter 13 Risk Management and Insurance
   16 Teaching Theory and Instructional Techniques
   17 Teaching NAUI Diving Courses and Programs
   18 Business of Diving

You have been over Risk Management Handbook and chapter 13. We will begin chapter 16 at the next meeting.

Skills and Endurance

2011-04-17T21:22:00.000-05:00

Watermanship Skills:

You must demonstrate the following:

A. Swimming skills:
-Swim 450 yards (407 m) nonstop, any stroke(s), within 10 minutes.
-Swim underwater 25 yards (23 m) on one breath -- no dive-in or push off.
-Transport another person of similar size 50 yards (46 m).
-Demonstrate survival swimming for 20 minutes (tread water, float, "drownproof", etc.)

B. Skin Diving Skills:
-- Using snorkeling equipment, swim 900 yards (823 m) nonstop, within 18 minutes.
-- Skin Diving Ditch and Recovery: Surface dive to the bottom in at least 8 feet (2.5 m) of water; remove and place on the bottom mask/snorkel and fins; surface and rest briefly; surface dive, recover and don all gear, surface with the mask and snorkel clear of water upon surfacing.
-- Skin Diving Rescue: Enter the water; swim 50 yards (46 m); retrieve a diver simulating unconsciousness from a depth of at least 8 feet (2.5 m); stabilize the victim on the surface; initiate and continue simulated in-water rescue breathing while transporting the diver 50 yards (46 m) to an exit.

C. Scuba Skills:
-- Scuba Lifesaving Transport: Transport an inert scuba diver 100 yards (91 m) on the surface within four minutes. The airway of the diver being transported should be maintained clear and protected at all times.-- Buddy breathe (sharing a single regulator) with another diver while swimming horizontally underwater for four minutes. Each buddy (in turn) is to be without a mask and the donor of air for two minutes during the swim. The receiver of air retains their mask on their face.
-- Scuba Ditch and Recovery: Descend to the bottom in at least 8 feet (2.5 m) of water; remove and place on the bottom mask/snorkel and scuba unit. Shut off air, swim 25 feet (7.6 m) horizontally; ascend exhaling; rest briefly; dive and swim horizontally to the equipment; recover and don the equipment; ascend breathing normally. The total exercise is to be completed within five minutes.
-- Scuba Bailout: Enter water at least 8 feet (2.5 m) deep carrying mask/snorkel, fins, weight belt, and scuba unit (air shut off and regulator purged); settle to the bottom; assume a stationary location, and don equipment. Throughout, maintain control and possession of all gear. After donning all gear, surface normally and tread water at the surface for five minutes without using the BC floatation, snorkel, or scuba.
-- Scuba Equipment Exchange: First diver submerges in at least 8 feet (2.5 m) of water wearing complete diving equipment. Second diver submerges wearing only wetsuit and weight belt. While buddy-breathing, the second diver receives and dons mask/snorkel, fins, and scuba/BC unit from first diver, and the pair make a buddy-breathing horizontal swim of 25 yards (23 m). Both buddies are to remain submerged until the final ascent, which is to be made after switching to alternate air source air sharing. The exercise is to be completed with all equipment in place within five minutes.

Day Nine

2011-04-17T20:52:00.001-05:00

Big Update here. The Instructor Cand. did well on Saturday teaching CPR, AED and Oxygen administration. The class was not violent, but had tendencies...

Long day with all of first aid lecture then test to immediately follow! We did eat Hamburgers and swim later that evening. Anti-freeze was used, so there was no problems with the temperature.

Thursday night was class night. The boys suffered through some history on Nitrox and the Fathers of it, Dick Rutkowski and Morgan Wells PhD, at least two of the modern fathers with civilian applications!

They then gave presentations on MOD and Best Mix. Things are coming around, times were kept down and focus sharpened on the topic!

Next session they will present on Equivalent Air Depth (EAD) and the NOAA Oxygen exposure chart. Chapter 16 Teaching Theory and Instructional Techniques will be covered in class.

The candidates will have the opportunity to work with an Advance Scuba class, in the near future.

Day 8

2011-04-07T07:21:00.000-05:00

The nights class started with a discussion on in water blackout, shallow and deep. Chapter 13 was completed. The candidates each did a presentation on nitrox, best mix and max operating depth. It was a learning experience! There was a guest instructor, Gary Peacock. His insights were invaluable!

The Instructor Candidates will be teaching cpr, O2 administration and AED this Saturday. The first aid class begins at 0900 at the Casa Pennington Learning Center (aka the man or pool room). Burgers and drinks will be provided after class. Lunch is on your own at one of the local Lindale establishments!

Next week the Divers will discuss another topic in Nitrox, bare bones and 10minutes max!

Snorkel and Wet suit presentations

2011-04-06T07:02:00.003-05:00

My underwater swim!!!

2011-04-05T21:39:00.002-05:00

I just want to scream it from the mountain top....I DID IT! The underwater swim that is!!! That was my last and final skill to complete for my divemaster training! If I were a girly girl I would have been jumping up and down, but that's not me...bul let me tell you my insides are doing just that!!! I owe many thanks to several people but Dean Pennington got me through this swim. He worked with me tonight on my breath hold until I was able to hold it for one minute underwater (in one night...I started at 15 seconds) and then and only then did we start to work on some swimming. Half the length of the pool, after a few time we ended up in the shallow end.... and this time Dean wanted me to go the the break and a little past....so i ask if I feel i can make it all the way can I go ahead and go for it, Dean being Dean said "well sure you can, you can do anything you want"! So I did a little ETF Tapping Therapy (to get to my happy place) and off I went... as Dean explained i had plenty of oxygen and it was just my brain tell me I need to breath from the carbon dioxide build up and guess what he was right....I did it!!! Yay!! I can't even put into words how it makes ne feel to accomplish the title "DIVEMASTER"!!! What an awesome feeling (i will help others with those same fears i had but always want to dive) There are a few people I need to thank besides Dean for believing in me.. 1st my brother Robbie Kirkpatrick...Thanks for believing you big sister can do anything, my instructor Gary Peacock for even putting the notion in my head to get on the fast track to divemaster and for not giving up on me when I know it would have been eaiser, Billy Hunter, owner of Scuba Steve's for being sick that day and closing the shop (that was my here's your sign moment) and for believing in me and not giving up and last but not least John Branch, I could not have done it without you....thank you...you are a great divemaster (soon to be instructor) and we could all learn a lot from you!!! Look out world you have some new divemasters in town!!!

Day 7

2011-03-30T23:14:00.000-05:00

Tonight John and Arbrey presented on the Scuba Tank and Dive safety. Chapter 13 from the leadership manuel was discussed. Hypercapnia was also discussed.

The Instructor Candidates will be teaching part of the upcoming First Aid/CPR/AED/O2 administration class. I will present on shallow/deep water blackout next week. The remainder of Chapter 13 will be completed and presentations made on Maximum operating depth and Best Mix.

Day 6

2011-03-30T23:09:00.000-05:00

Presentations were reworked and done on mask and snorkel. In addition new presentations were done on wet suit and BC.

Day 5

2011-03-17T13:22:00.000-05:00

The evening started with a "lessons learned" from the open water check out. Both Candidates were put into leadership supervisory postitions and charged with running the show with DMC as their support. A lot was seen, heard and discussed. It was an eye opener on many levels. The instructor candidates are learning, sometimes it is the school of hard knocks.

Presentations were given on wetsuits and BCs. Some real progress is being made. The refinement process continues.

We also discussed the requirments sent to us by the area representative.

We ended the night finishing up the Risk Management Handbook.

Next week, both presentations will be reworked and presented again.

Characteristics of a Good Instructor

2011-03-03T23:43:00.000-06:00

Safety of the Student
Global Awareness

Safety of the Student
Situational Awareness

Safety of the Student
Command of Knowledge

Safety of the Student
Exemplary water skills

Safety of the Student
Leader by Example

Safety of the Student
Love of Water

Safety of the Student
Inspirational Teacher

So what does all this mean? #1 is always the safety of the student. It goes without saying that this is paramount. At the beginnning, in the middle of and at the end of training. How do you ensure student safety? Global awareness, the ability to see the whole picture, knowing what is going on and where it is happening. This allows the instructor to have "eyes in the back of his head" so to speak. While thinking globally the instructor must have situational awareness. This is the ability to discern what is happening right now with intuiative knowledge of cause and effect. Instant realization of what might or will happen in a given set of circumstances.

Command of the knowledge. How can you teach someone something you don't know? Students smell this like a shark smells blood. If you don't know it, you can bet you will be asked about it. A professional will take it upon himself to acquire the knowledge. But it takes more than getting the information. You have to understand it AND be able to teach it. This is two totally seperate actions and abilities.

Exemplary water skills. This is demonstrated to the students with your every movement. When they see you in the water, they are seeing demonstration quality skills done without apparent thought or discomfort. They see how it should be done! You are Leading by Example. You not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. You are able to perform every skill you ask for, demonstration quality. You as the instructor demonstrate this by maintaining a level of fitness that allows you to do all the endurance tasks, whenever. Your words of conservation and safety are followed by the same actions, with and without students. Someone is always watching.

Love of water. Simply seen by your ease and comfort in the water environment. Not only are you one with the water, but you use it to your advantage. This cannot be faked. It is readily apparent if you have it or if you don't. When you love the water you do not fight it or struggle. Your movement and actions are smooth, unhurried, comfortable. You will have a palpable calm when in it. It will be noticed.

Inspirational Teacher. Lofty words certainly. Just look back at what and who drove you or inspired you to be where you are at, in this very moment. This is inspiration. Transferring your love of the water, your knowledge of scuba diving, is the trick. Be that guy, you know, the one that makes you try harder. The guy who somehow encourages you to do more, to research, to learn, to teach.

Big talk to read here, I know. I myself am constantly striving for all of these characteristics. I want to be that guy who you trust with your most loved ones. I want to be that guy who is always the buddy you can count on under water. I want to be like the instructors who taught me. I want to take the best and make it my own. I want to have a legacy of safety.

I want you to be that guy as well. I want you to be the guy, the instructor who teaches me how to dive. better. I want you to be that memorable instructor who first taught me the brand new diver how to dive, the right way, the safe way. I am unable to forget you, because you are the best diver I ever saw!

Day 4

2011-02-24T07:36:00.000-06:00

Tonight was the first presentation night. The topics were snorkel and mask. The evening started with "Why I Dive". Video was captured tonight so the instructor candidates can see just what exactly the students and I am seeing. We ended the night, late again, working our way through the risk management handbook.

Day Three

2011-02-16T23:41:00.000-06:00

Tonight the Instructor pre-qualification test was gone over in detail. This was a good measure of where the diver Instructor Candidates are and ultimately showing them where to concentrate their studies on.

Next week we go over risk mangement Hand book. The candidates will do a 5 to 10 minute classroom presentation on mask and snorkel.

They will also give a brief talk on "Why I Dive".

The Talent

The Tools

Day 2

2011-02-09T07:47:00.000-06:00

Talked at length about Instructor Training. Requirements, training and testing.

A presentation was made following the classroom presentation format. It was gone over minutely, dissected and discussed. We also discussed the reasoning behind the format.

Each candidate discussed the reasons why they wanted to become instructors.

The students were given the pre qualification test to take at home.

And so it begins...

We have another Taker!

2011-02-07T22:57:00.000-06:00

Arbrey Stiefer has chosen to begin Instructor training with John Branch. I am excited at the prospect of having these two advanced to Scuba Instructor.

Divers, are you ready?

First night

2011-02-03T20:53:00.000-06:00

And so a new Instructor Candidate begin the pathway to Instructor tonight.

We went over the requirements to begin training. Training outline for what is expected and how to prepare.

A pre-qual test was given. We will go over this next meeting.

Superior Leadership and Instructor training are founded in the “Loved One” concept. That is, it is only those we would trust to train our loved ones to dive that we graduate at any level and especially so for leadership and instructor certification.

Good Luck!

5 Things You Didn't Know About Jacques Cousteau

2010-04-02T14:41:00.006-05:00

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Jacques Cousteau

by Ethan Trex - April 2, 2010 - 2:00 PM

French naval officer, explorer, and filmmaker Jacques-Yves Cousteau helped millions of people learn about what goes on under the ocean’s surface. How well do you know the man in the wetsuit, though? Let’s take a look at five things you might not have known about the master of the deep.

1. He Originally Wanted to Fly

When Cousteau was a young man he joined the French navy, but he never had any intention of going underwater as part of his service. Instead, Cousteau planned on becoming a naval aviator, but that dreamed died when Cousteau was in a serious auto accident in 1936. The young pilot borrowed his father’s Salmson sports car to attend a wedding and had a horrific crash when the headlights shorted out on a dark road. Cousteau was so severely injured in the accident that it seemed like resuming his pilot’s training was impossible.Cousteau needed a way to rehab and strengthen his broken arms, though, so he took to swimming in the ocean. Later that year, Cousteau made his first underwater swim in goggles, and he realized that he’d found his calling.

2. He Had a Secret Family

Soon after Cousteau discovered his love of the undersea world, he also declared his love for Simone Melchior. The couple married in 1937, and Simone was never in the shadows of Jacques’ life. She went along on expeditions on his ship Calypso, helped him secure financing for his projects, and even sold her family jewels to help buy fuel for the ship. Simone took such good care of Calypso’s crew that they nicknamed her “La Bergere,” or “the Shepherdess.”
Quite a storybook romance, right? You can imagine how surprising it was when Jacques announced in 1991 that he not only had a mistress, he had an entire secret family. One year after Simone’s death from cancer, Cousteau told the world that he had been having a long affair with Francine Triplet, who was over thirty years his junior. Cousteau also announced he had two secret children from the affair. He later married Triplet.

3. He Probably Wanted You to Drink Guinness

Cousteau’s famed ship Calypso got its start as a British minesweeper during World War II, and after the conflict ended she became a ferry in Malta. In 1950 Irish millionaire Thomas Loel Guinness, a descendant of the storied brewing family, bought the ship. Guinness didn’t hang onto the ship for long, though. He leased her to Cousteau for a pretty sweet deal: one franc a year.
The ship has had a bit of a rough time since Cousteau made it famous. In January 1996, Calypso was in Singapore when a barge accidentally rammed her. The ship sank and had to be pulled from the water by crane for extensive restoration. Following Cousteau’s 1997 death, the two wings of his family fought a bitter battle over the future of the ship. At the moment, it’s still being restored, a pricey endeavor.

4. He Buddied Up with Castro

In 1985, Cousteau and his crew ventured to Cuba to research the country’s unique system for managing its lobster population. While there, Cousteau received Fidel Castro on his ship for dinner. Castro seemed to take a liking to Cousteau; the dictator allowed the diver to liberate 80 political prisoners. Cousteau and his team also received another unique honor: they became the first non-Cubans to pass through the gate of the U.S. Navy’s Guantanamo Bay installation since the Cuban missile crisis 24 years earlier.

5. He Wanted Waterworld to Become a Reality

Cousteau may have co-invented the Aqua-Lung and become one of history’s most famous divers, but he dreamed of his creation one day becoming optional. In a 1960 interview with Time, Cousteau predicted that in the future, medical science would advance to the point where men could surgically be given gills that would enable them to live underwater. Cousteau figured if that surgery could be perfected, so could a follow-up procedure that would remove the gills and enable normal life back on land. He told the magazine, “Everything that has been done on the surface will sooner or later be done under water. It will be the conquest of a whole new world.”

Original from:

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/51762#more-51762

Instructor Questions

2009-10-18T23:53:00.002-05:00

Why can you dive for such a long period of time with a re-breather?

That is a great question! As you may know rebreathers have one or two small tanks of compressed gas. The re-breathers have this small gas supply because like the name says you rebreathe the same gas over and over. The trick is that the CO2 is removed and oxygen added as needed.

To explain this you have to take a look at the human respiratory system. An average breath admits about 350 ml of new air to the mix of air in our lungs already (about 2500 ml). This air in our lungs is composed of oxygen, nitrogen , carbon dioxide and water.

Oxygen diffuses from the air in the lung to the circulatory system and then into the cells where it is used in oxidation of carbohydrates (we will call this metabolism). This results in the release of CO2 and energy.

Carbon dioxide, CO2, diffuses from the cell to the circulatory sytem and then to the lung. Here through respiration the body is rid of excess CO2 and water.

So how does a re-breather work?
It has a closed circuit loop where no volume of gas is lost (like when we breath out on open circuit, the bubbles float up). A large portion of the gas breathed out continues to have oxygen in it.

The CO2 is filtered out with a CO2 scrubber material. The water is trapped at a low point in the loop. The oxygen is sent back to be breathed again.

So you are asking, isn't the oxygen level going down as it is used in metabolism? Yes, indeed it is. The beauty of the re-breather is that more oxygen is added as needed! This is a very small amount as we breath 21% O2 and our supply is 100% oxygen! Think of it as getting almost 5 times as much as you would use in a similar sized air (21%) cylinder of gas.

You can adjust the mix you breath during the dive if you desire. You will continue to accumulate nitrogen, but this is dependent on the mix you breath. It is like having an adjustable nitrox tank. Even better, you can dive trimix if you have the equipment and are trained.

So decompression will have to be done just like on open circuit.

Next question. Do you produce more carbon dioxide the deeper you go?

Another good question! The simple answer is that CO2 production is a byproduct of metabolism. Not of depth or more accurately with higher PCO2.

But, as you dive deeper your body is working harder, if doing nothing other than breathing as the gases become more dense with an increase in partial pressure.

More work equals more metabolism. More metabolism equals more CO2 production.

The quandry with CO2 is that an excess can lead to bad things. Things like shortness of breath, headache, difficulty concentrating and eventually to unconsciousness!

Last question. Do you use gas four times as fast at 4 ata in a closed circuit system as you do in a open circuit system?

The simple answer is that what ever system you are on be it open circuit or closed, as the absolute pressure increases, the volume of gas decreases. (once it comes out of the cylinder)

Since you your lung capacity does not vary with depth or pressure, you still have to fill the lung up with each breath.

So for instance, if you breath .5 cubic feet of air per minute on the surface you will breath 1 cubic foot at 2 ata, 1.5 cubic feet at 3 ata and 2 cubic feet at 4 ata.

The lung capacity remains the same but the volume of gas you inhale decreases (as pressure increases volume decreases... some gas law that escapes me) so that the volume on the surface is not enogh to fill that lung if that gas gets compressed. You must have more gas to create the same size as that on the surface to fill the lung.

It does not matter if you are on closed circuit or open circuit. If you go deeper, you use more gas.

If this is not clear please let me know. I will be happy to explain futher if I am able!

Dive & Survive: Extreme Sports Call For Extreme Measures

2009-08-10T07:49:00.009-05:00

Tyler Paper - Tyler Morning Telegraph

Dive & Survive: Extreme Sports Call For Extreme Measures

Sunday, August 09, 2009

By MAEGAN McGOWEN

Feature Writer

The familiar smell of chlorine hits you as you walk through the locker rooms to the indoor pool at Tyler Junior College.

Distorted figures of divers move slowly around the bottom of the pool, their yellow-and-black flippers creating ripples across the surface of the water.

An instructor with Scuba Steve’s Aquatic Adventures leads a first-time scuba diver on a dive at the Tyler Junior College Ornelas Health and Physical Education Center in Tyler.

Bubbles bounced up through the water as divers practiced their skills, and Steve Lockhart, owner of Scuba Steve's, explained how his love affair with diving began.Decked out in regulators, masks and air tanks, scuba students line the edges of the pool while Laura Lockhart, diving instructor for Scuba Steve's Aquatic Adventures, explains the importance of equalizing the pressure in your ears under water.

"I was Scuba Steve 20 years before Adam Sandler put him in the movies," he laughed. "Everybody laughs about the name, but we get noticed!"

Steve runs a full-service dive shop in Tyler offering classes including open water, advanced, rescue, dive master, specialty and technical classes, as well as the Try Scuba classes, offered free of charge and taught in conjunction with Tyler Junior College's continuing education program.

"I've got four instructors and myself here tonight," he said, pointing them out. "We keep a low student-to-instructor ratio. Tonight, we have everything from "Try Scuba" to the third week of a class to certify divers. We do upwards of 400 certifications per year."

Steve's own experience with diving began more than 30 years ago.

"The first time I was offshore, I had an uncle who was a diver and he said, 'Do what I do,' so I went, I survived, and I was hooked."

He never dreamed he would teach the extreme sport, but with a little encouragement from his wife, Laura, he found he had the patience for teaching after all.

"I found out how rewarding it was to see people deathly afraid of the water become confident," he said. "If we could do this for free, I would."

Teaching scuba requires a lot of patience, he said, but the end result is confident, safe divers.

"I've had people in this class, grown men, who cried because they didn't know how to swim," he said. "Now I'd dive with them anywhere. I've had abused women who took the class to get over their fear of water. I've met so many people from all walks of life."

At Scuba Steve's, students start with basic equipment, keeping everything simple.

"If you're confident in your student's ability, then they will have the confidence to tackle bigger and bigger feats," he said. "In the thousands of people we've trained, I can only think of two or three who didn't complete the course. Our success rate is very high."

The hardest lesson to teach, he said, is that no one can defeat the water.

"If they fight the water, it will win every time," he said. "They have to become the water, and once they do, everything comes together. A good diver is a person who accepts the fact that we are all equal in the water -- you're only as good as the next person who can help you out in a bad situation."

Steve's diving program is comparatively old fashioned, and everything is done by the book.

"It's four weeks long, and I won't cut corners," he said. "We furnish every piece of equipment. At the end of four weeks, if the student is ready, and if we feel they are ready, we do an open water evaluation, reviewing everything they've done in their class, and at that point. If they pass, they are certified."

There are two rules at Scuba Steve's -- to be safe and to have fun.

"If number one doesn't happen, then number two isn't going to happen," he said.

But if they do happen, in the right order, they can dive to places most people only dream about.

"If you don't believe in God, take up scuba," he said. "Then you'll believe. It's a whole world a very limited part of the population gets to see. It's creation like you've never seen."

Destiny Kafka and Danielle Taylor, both of Bullard, listen to instructor Mike Jeter, of Whitehouse, during a lesson.
(Staff Photos By Tom Turner)

http://www.tylerpaper.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090809/FEATURES01/908070345

Evaluation

2009-03-29T22:54:00.005-05:00

The three day evaluation is complete.

Three new Scuba Instructors!

Fini

2009-03-25T21:44:00.005-05:00

Training is officially over. Friday begins the Instructor evaluation. It is a three day event. This will take place in New Braunfels, Texas. The Comal river will be the site of open water evaluation.

These many months have brought many changes to the three divers;
Mike, Gary and Tina

It is my hope that the transition from divemaster to instructor has been one of discovery and enjoyment. I think I can say with certainty that becoming an instructor is not the end, but rather the beginning. It is a license to learn--- everything!

For me, I expect each to complete the evaluation as a formality only. An opportunity for a course director to see thoroughly trained and knowledgeable instructor candidates who only need a signature to become scuba instructors.

The greatest joy a teacher can have, is seeing the student become a better teacher than he or she is. I fully expect and look forward to this.

Good Luck this weekend. But as I like to say "Luck is not a factor".

You three have sacrificed much to be where you are. I recognize this. Make it worthwhile.

Dean Pennington II

Day 26,27,28

2009-03-25T21:39:00.004-05:00

The final days of training.

26 meeting in the man room, went over all three presentations

27 all candidates present, each did 2 presentations, one did three

28 Pool- went over area brief

confined and open water brief

Each person completed all open water skill sets. Had some general chill time and worked together as a team.

Day 25 Academics

2009-03-17T10:08:00.002-05:00

This session was dedicated to presenting two topics each. General scuba and Nitrox.

The candidates did well, the fine tuning continues.

Next session will cover these two topics and a gas law!

Day 24 Academics

2009-03-15T00:41:00.003-05:00

This session was dedicated to nitrox presentations.

Each Instructor candidate presented what was supposed to be a 10 minute talk on PO2, Best Mix and Maximum Operating Depth. The topics went from about 14 minutes to almost 30 minutes!

The information was good. I think so fat can be trimmed. With repetition and polish they should all be great.

Day 23 Academics

2009-03-11T07:39:00.002-05:00

Everyone was briefed on the latest developments with the IQC.

Each candidate gave a 10 minute presentation on a open water topic. These included; the anatomy of the lung and overexpansion injury, the body and the effect of pressure on the air spaces, and pressure and its effects as it applies to scuba diving.

Let us just say that the presentations went a little long!

Many good suggestions were given for improvement. It is coming down to polished and professional.

More presentations on thursday.

Day 22, Pool Session

2009-03-10T10:30:00.003-05:00

This was an exceedingly good pool session!

The presentations were excellent. It is getting more difficult to be critical of the demonstrations as they are approaching demonstration quality.

Several skills were demonstrated including, rescue, alternate air, remove and replace scuba unit underwater, mask clears, regulator recoveries, buddy breathing, fin pivot, hover.

After the demonstrations free time was allowed for practice. Most did breath hold activities, skin dive ditch and recovery etc... .

It was a good night.

Day 21 Academics

2009-03-03T12:32:00.003-06:00

Presentations
Presentations
Presentations

The candidates presented a variety of types of presentations. In that some were short 5-8 min, some were long 10-15 min.

Everyone was critiqued by 3 instructors.

They have come a long ways. No it is just a matter of fine tuning the material, then practice, practice, practice.

Crunch time. 25 days to evaluation.

Day 20 Pool Training

2009-03-01T20:29:00.005-06:00

This was a very productive session indeed!

The candidates did in water presentations. It began with presentation and demo of back roll into the water. Next, alternate air share. Some additional stressors were added.

The candidates, did well.

This was followed by a scuba rescue. The candidates demonstrated the skill while describing it to the students.

Everyone did exceedingly well. Time was left over to practice additional skills.

Day 19 Academics

2009-02-24T10:54:00.002-06:00

Each candidate presented two times.

The format of presentation is now a given. The students are concentrating on perfecting each aspect of the presentation.

To that end, the evaluation and critical reviews are very critical with extreme attention to details.

One word wrong, one forgotten item, or mix up in format is noted. It is not done with malice but rather with the desire that each student reach the point of near perfection.

It is always done with love in my heart and the hope of greatness in the student!

I know each one is capable of greatness! My job is to help you achieve your potential. This is sometimes painful, sometimes pleasant but always with the intent of making you a better instructor than I.

Hang in there!

Day 18 Pool training

2009-02-24T10:50:00.002-06:00

This session was dedicated to confined water presentations.

Each student had several opportunities to demonstrate and present. Corrections and suggestions for improvement were made.

Things are not getting easier, rather more precise as the finish line draws near.

Day 17 Academics

2009-02-24T10:35:00.002-06:00

ICQ details were gone over. The candidates made a decision on the evaluator.

Assignments were made for the ICQ and for the next weeks presentations.

Day 16 Pool training

2009-02-12T11:26:00.004-06:00

Pool training began with demonstration of donning gear at poolside and seated entry. Each student was critiqued following.

Next, several training presentations were performed including: mask clears, regulator recoveries. Emphasis was placed on placement and use of assistant, clear explanations and hand signals. And as always, demonstration quality skill demo.

The students were critiqued at each step.

All in all it was a very productive session. Great strides have been made by the students. They are rapidly approaching the instructor evaluation and are right on track to be very successful!

Day 15 Academics

2009-02-10T17:21:00.003-06:00

This session began concentration on standards and procedures. An extensive amount of time was spent on the Credo (latin for "I believe").

Discussion was also made on contra-indications to scuba diving.

Two hours of pure fun!

Day 14 Pool Training

2009-02-10T17:05:00.003-06:00

The session began with presentation and demonstration of scuba bailout. Key points: empty all air from BC, maintain control of equipment, equalize while descending. The scuba bailout has components of multiple other skills taught including:

ear equalization on descent
mask clear
regulator recovery and clear
donning scuba unit

Doing all of this demonstration quality while making it look smooth and easy is no small task!

Next was demonstration of scuba rescue, while explaining to students as you went. Again no small task as it involves multiple other skills, all the while explaining what you are doing to the students.

As always, the instructor candidates did a critical review of one another as well as receive instructor critique.

Unfortunately, the night was plagued with ear and sinus problems! So it goes the life of the scuba instructor.

Open Water Training Presentation

2009-02-10T16:59:00.006-06:00

Open Water Training Presentation

Briefing

3) Was a statement of Training objectives provided?

3) Were clear concise instructions and a general sequence of activity provided?

3) Were safety precautions and signals covered?

Activity

3) Was the activity organized, safe and controlled?

3) Were NAUI standards met?

3) Was the activity time efficient and observed?

3) Were skill deficiencies and errors identified, corrected and remedial practice provided for?

3) Were communications effective?

4) Was good use made of assistants?

4) Was the dive enjoyable?

5) Was the conduct of the activity smooth and professional?

Debriefing

3) Was the debriefing organized and effective?

3) Were evaluations of student performance communicated to students?

3) Were key points identified?

3) Was good performance praised?

3) Were problems identified and suggestions for practice and improvement made?

4) Was there enthusiasm throughout the presentation?

Click here for a smaller word document download of this information.

Day 13 Academics

2009-02-03T13:30:00.004-06:00

The Business of Diving was covered in this meeting. The only aspect of Scuba diving that is not actually diving related. The Biz.

Good discussions were made concerning Label and Name recognition, Word of Mouth power in advertising, and constant review of the plan to modify and change as needed.

The students also discussed the Instuctor Training Course.

Lastly, an impromptu presentation was done by each student with 15 minutes of preparation. It is amazing at the progress made over the last several weeks.

There is light
at the end of the tunnel!

Lake Hefner, Oklahoma Jan 13, 2009.

Day 12 Academics

2009-02-01T08:10:00.002-06:00

This session began with each student doing a critical review of their recorded presentation, followed by critical review by the other students and instructors. It is surprising how far each has gone in this process. The improvement as compared to the first presentation is dramatic.

Next was a review of Risk Management and Insurance. Not neccesarily the most interesting topic but neccessary.

The class night ended with some discussion of the Instructor Training Course, ITC, evaluation. Some things to expect and what not to expect. Emphasis was placed on 100% committment for the 3 day evaluation.

So with that, each student was encouraged to buckle down for the next 50 days! Learn it, Live it.

Disclaimer

2009-01-21T22:10:00.003-06:00

This blog is simply about the transition from divemaster to scuba instructor.

It is in no way attempting to affiliate with any particular certifying agency, group or store.

This blog is in whole controlled by shellsearch and as such will moderate comments as seen fit.

Comments are welcome, but will be moderated, i.e. rejected if not in the best interest of the blog or students and if not in good taste.

Please feel free to comment, diversity is important, but leave the ego and agency home. I know each student appreciates constructive criticism and praise. Their path is not an easy one right now.

Thanks for reading!

Day 11 Pool Training

2009-01-21T21:53:00.003-06:00

Things are shifting now.

One candidate demonstrated how to gear up poolside, don fins then giant stride entry.

Next, Scuba Bailout with concentration on demonstrating the skill not just doing it.

Following this was discussion on teaching and demonstrating the skill versus performing the skill itself. The candidates then demonstrated removing and replacing the scuba unit under water.

At each point the students evaluated one and another and received evaluation from the instructor.

Next, explanation and demonstration of alternate air source air share with buddy. Each student assumed the instructor position, the student position and the assistant position.

The last skill worked on for the evening was the scuba rescue. This is a complex set of skills that is very difficult to demonstrate, as they saw. Each student in turn demonstrated the scuba rescue with discussion. Each was evaluated by their peers and by the instructors.

Last, open skill practice for 7 minutes.

Every candidate is making significant progress!!!

To whoever it may concern

2009-01-21T08:20:00.002-06:00

First of all I would like to thank Dean for putting together a forum for us, the instructor candidates, to communicate through. Secondly, but not less important I would like to thank the other instructor trainer for the opportunity to learn from all of their many years of experience. I would also like to say I am proud to be a member and hopefully soon to be an instructor for an organization that believes the quality of the instructor is far more important than the four letters of the certifying agency. I did not decide to train with a certain agency, I decided to train and dive with a group of people I trusted. As I continued to train I have gained trust in the organization in which I have become a member. However, it is the people I dive with and train with of which I am most proud.

Now, this is for you, Mr./Mrs. Padi the right way/ Padi instructor. I know this forum is in a public place for public consumption and while I have no idea why you have any intrest in our blog, I appreciate the fact you have decided to join us. You see, there have been several people who no longer dive with us who have gone on to other things, which I personally wish them the very best! If you are one of these folks that's Ok, if you are not that is Ok too. I would expect your dialogue in our forum to be as professional and constructive as that of other PADI instructors that I have talked to.

Scuba Instructor Presentation: Snorkel

2009-01-18T23:05:00.003-06:00

On youtube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uDhXdmZWus

Scuba Instructor Presentation: Masks

2009-01-18T22:05:00.005-06:00

On youtube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faQajTe-Em0

Scuba Instructor Presentation: Fins

2009-01-18T00:25:00.004-06:00

At youtube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E56P_6CCoPg

Bubbling Together

2009-01-15T17:05:00.002-06:00

I have experienced a unique group dynamic several times, the dynamic of group cohesiveness.

Usually, everyone begins as separate bubbles traveling in the same direction. As the time traveling increases the bubbles come closer together, until actually rubbing. Usually with some friction.

Then for some unknown reason, be it time together, contact with the other bubbles or that the path of travel becomes so difficult that the bubbles snap or pop and suddenly become one large bubble. It travels along as a whole, no little bubbles left behind. The individual bubbles have coalesced together with a bond stronger than the individual bubbles themselves. All traveling happily to the goal.

This is a group dynamic that is positive.

Sometimes if the bubbles remain separate, they all pop...

Day 10 Pool training

2009-01-13T22:35:00.003-06:00

This was the first official pool session of the year. The fourth actual pool session. Everyone has come a long ways.

The training is not easy, but the end result is a better diver and instructor.

The ultimate goal is demonstration quality skills that are performed with ease and efficiency. It is the getting there that is so difficult. The skills are not just the open water basic skills but all the skills through Divemaster, all demonstration quality. All done while teaching someone how it is done, the right way.

Tonight, started with a bailout.

After the bailout everyone geared up and read the first of 4 notes written and weighted down on the bottom.

1 ditch scuba unit

ESA

snorkel 50 yards

go to 2

2 ditch mask and fins

swim 50 yards

recover mask and fins

go to 3

3 recover scuba unit

get neutral and hover

wait for buddy

perform scuba rescue

4 perform demonstration of

mask clears

regulator recoveries

fin pivot

swim 50 yards fast

Almost all the tasks were completed. A little rust had to be knocked off. But overall, I think the year started out right with definite forward progress.

Next academic session is on wednesday.

Day 9 Academics

2009-01-13T10:50:00.004-06:00

This session began with discussion and review of Teaching courses and Programs. This includes the very important idea of RUMBA and the 1 through 5 grading system.

The class next delivered oral presentations while being videoed. (hopefully up soon) The students will evaluate one and another as well as receive evaluation from the present instructors next week. New topics were selected for next weeks oral presentation.

Also next week, we will go over risk management and insurance.

The Pool is now open. The pool session will be a little different this year!

Conclusions from the dry suit tests

2009-01-11T15:31:00.002-06:00

Well, we are happy to report all tests were completed without incident and with some pretty surprising results. It would have been nice to have our other participant there with his crushed neoprene dry suit to compare the results, (John ) but hopefully we will get those results later. None the less, listed below are the conclusions from our testing.

1. first I was suprised to find out that my undergarment and the air they trap is 12 lbs positive.

2. We discovered that it is very difficult to totally flood the dry suit . We had to really work at getting the suit totally flooded due to the squeeze of the suit at 13 ft of depth and the pressure of the water pushing on the suit.

We discovered you would have to have a major breach of your suit to totally flood it.

3. Once we were able to get the suit flooded, we determined bouancy was not affected at all by the water inside the suit. I was easily able to swim to the surface, without putting any air into my BCD.

4. I was able to swim on the surface with no gear on with the suit totally flooded. I was also able to tread water easily with the suit flooded. also, getting out of the suit in the water was easier than getting out of it out of water.

5. we had no luck purging the water from the suit from the inverted position by adding air throough the port on the front of the suit. it appeared the pressure form the air being added to the suit was not enough to displace the water in the suit. We should have stuck our octo down the suit to see if that would work.

Having heard many different opions about what would happen if you flooded you dry suit, it was very enlightening to find these answers for ourselves first hand. we will return to try John's suit and determine the effects of our undergarments on our conclusions.

Day 8 Academics

2009-01-07T19:18:00.003-06:00

This session was dedicated to going over the next oral presentation. Some improvements were discussed and will be implemented next session.

The instructor evaluation test was discussed.

A lengthy discussion was also held on the transition from Divemaster to Instructor.

Here were a few of the topics discussed:

Utilization of divemasters
Correction of divemasters
Team teaching
Teaching master diver, rescue and divemasters
Teaching techniques
Having fun

Next academic session will be presentations. This will be followed by going over the chapter about teaching courses and programs. We will also begin going over the risk management handbook.

Sink or Float ? Confined Water Lab

2009-01-06T10:03:00.002-06:00

Well, this is what happens when you have instructor candidates with too much time on their hands.

we have heard all of the speculation, theory as well as some first hand knowledge concerning what would happen if you happen to totally flood your dry suit. We have speculated on every scenario from , sink like a rock to somewhat buoyant.We will be searching for the following answers for ourselves in our first CONFINED WATER LABORATORY ( the TJC pool)

we will attempt to discover the following:

1) buoyancy characteristics of a totally flooded dry suit.

2) if negative, how much lift will be required to reach the surface.

3) can you actually invert yourself and purge the water from your flooded dry suit. ( can't wait to try that one, might be ugly! )

all experiments will be conducted in a safe controlled manor with safety divers and observers present.

we will let you know the outcome.

Sink or Float

2009-01-06T09:13:00.005-06:00

What would happen if your dry suit fills with water?

Can you even swim?

Will you sink like a rock?

How will you recover from this situation?

These question have been asked.

Thursday we find out, in the pool.

Polar Bear Dive, Tyler State Park

2009-01-01T15:21:00.005-06:00

The Second Annual State Park Polar Bear Dive, was once again done on the first day of the year.

Last year, its debut, 3 people participated (while completing their dry suit training).

This year a total of 9 people were in attendance. Noticeable absent was Steve Lockhart!

Of note this year, one young man was diving his first dive after certification. Wow!

Outside temps this year were in the 50's that quickly climbed to the high of 61F. The water temperatures were in the low 50's (52F).

One diver's family graciously provided chicken and dumplings for the post dive feast!

What a pleasure to see and dive with everyone on this fist day of 2009!

Day 7 Academics

2009-01-01T15:10:00.006-06:00

This night the students evaluated one another's recorded presentation and their own. They were most critical.

A lot of insight was obtained with the stress of the camera and being evaluated.

Following the evaluations, teaching theory and instructional techniques was completed.

Student to instructor ratios confined water and open water were emphasized.

As it is the holiday season, the pool is closed. Next academic session will be another assigned topic presentation.

Day 6 Pool training

2008-12-03T21:17:00.002-06:00

Day 6 started just like the other pool sessions=== Scuba bailout!

This was followed by each student performing a demo of all open water basic skills (except alternate air sharing). One student got lucky and did the demo in front of all of the other students. This diver received a critical review from the others immediately after removing the scuba unit, turning the air off and doing a swimming ascent.

The students breath hold surfaced dived to scuba unit and donned. A buoyancy demonstration was made. Each student then was required to achieve neutral buoyancy and hold without moving for 30 seconds.

The scuba unit was ditched and air turned off again. After swimming ascent a variation of one hand on the brick was performed. Each student did a surface dive to 12 to 13 feet and placed hands on the brick. This time, they were only required to stay down until they wanted to come up. After surfacing the next student went down and did the same thing.

This worked out well, the stress level was significantly lower with the time on the brick showing that.

Next the brick was transported, while breath holding, around the pool. Each student taking a turn. Again, low stress.

The students then did a surface dive to don their scuba unit. After donning, one student simulated being out of air and removed their mask. Another student then buddy breathed with them while swimming to the shallow end and returning. The students switched with the other simulating out of air and removing mask.

After this task was complete, each student buddied up and simulated out of air, alternate air sharing and swimming ascent.

Debrief of session was done in the water.

Once on the surface everyone exited the pool and began endurance swimming, all completed between 150 to 400 yards.

Day 5 Academics

2008-12-02T13:55:00.003-06:00

The day started with an instructor presenting with student critique. Everyone followed with a new presentation. Immediate feedback was not given to the student as it was video recorded. The student will do a critical evaluation of the presentation and report back next session. The instructors will also critique the presentations at the next meeting.

This was followed by covering Teaching Theory and Instructional Techniques. This could be the driest reading, but the class discussion was better.

Empathy, Eye Contact; Pitch, Pace and Pause

Humor and the Hammer were all discussed.

Next session will finish teaching theory and instructional techniques.

The students are all "Crazy Cats"!

Video link to Presentations

2008-12-02T11:49:00.004-06:00

If this video insert does not work see below.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5908069753531433384&hl=en

This is the link to the presentation video. It is all one continuous video with M first, G second and T last. Sorry the quality is not great. It will be better on the next attempt.

Day 4

2008-11-25T22:23:00.005-06:00

Confined water training.

Todays training began with proper weighting for minimal thermal protection to be used in skin diving ditch and recover skill. Each diver wearing a shorty wet suit or similar equivalent, weighted themselves for neutral buoyancy.

Once this was accomplished all divers performed a scuba bailout.

Divers assembled and went over the basic open water skill sets with a buddy. Alternating and working on Demonstration Quality skill performance.

At the end of the demonstration task, the divers were asked to remove their mask and put on their stored extra mask kept in the BC pocket. Only one diver had the stored mask available to them.

Divers next ditched their scuba unit and swam to the surface with mask, fins and snorkel.

Verbal review of skills performed was done in the shallow water. This was a critical review.

Next task was demonstration of surface skin dives, pike and feet first.

Scuba bailout was demonstrated to the instructor candidates. The candidates watched and did a critical review of the skill.

Divers next ditched their scuba unit, turning air off each time, and surfaced on mask, fins and snorkel.

A breath holding skill was next introduced. The divers would one at a time dive down to the bottom of the pool and place a hand on a rubber brick. That diver could not leave until the next diver relieved him at the brick. The idea was to complete 5 minutes of continuous breath hold diving, divided between 5 divers. This skill requires precise timing and a cool head.

Lets just say, a lot was learned in the next 5 minutes.

As fatigue set in from the constant surface diving, the actions became more erratic. Leaving some down to long on the brick.

One hand on the brick will be done again, with variations as the divers become more competent and confident.

Last task was a surface skin dive to recover and replace scuba unit. All attempted to do at demonstration quality. There was room for improvement!

Divers did a critical review of each others performance. After exiting the pool with gear, all divers returned for endurance building swim. Most completed 200m, some 400m.

It was noted this session had divers with stressors, including self-imposed stress. More will be discussed on that topic later.

Classroom Teaching Presentation

2008-11-24T22:51:00.004-06:00

Teaching Presentation

Presenter: Instructor Trainer

Title: Teaching Presentations

Introduction

I hate presenting to an audience. I hate public speaking. Therefore I hate talking to y_ _.

Wait I can't say that!

Since teaching presentations are required for completion of instructor training, you will find the following information helpful for successful completion of that training and a good example of the presentation format.

At the end of this presentation you will have three points,

that you will be able to list,

that will aid you in your next presentation.

The main points are:

1. Command of Knowledge

2. Organization

3. Innovation

Body

Command of Knowledge-

This one thing will make it significantly easier to present on any topic. If you know a subject, it will be much easier to talk about.

You get there with the three R's;

research,

reading and

repetition.

Organization-

Gather your research material.

Write notes.

Make an outline.

Practice your presentation with training aids while timing.

Do a final edit.

Then more practice.

(At this time pull out training aid-- research material [book], presentation outline, mirror [to represent practicing in front of mirror] and clock prop to represent timing yourself. Put training aid away.)

Innovation-

This is the hardest but most rewarding part of the presentation. It requires the student to dig deep and find out what will make this presentation stand out. Think (pull out light bulb training aid, then put away) of what gets you excited. Poll others and don't forget to rely on mentors for insight. Getting input from a variety of sources will help you decide on something with snap and appeal.

These three points will not only help you be polished and professional here but will provide a valuable base as you continue your training and teaching of --- Advanced Diver, Rescue Diver, Master Diver, Divemaster, Scuba Instructor, Instructor Trainer, Course Director etc...

(promotion of continuing education).

Summary

In review,

you have learned that

1. command of knowledge will ease presenting information

2. organization will aid in turning your knowledge into a teaching presentation

3. innovation, will appeal to the student and make it memorable

If you remember nothing else, remember these three key points when preparing for and preforming a classroom presentation:

Command of Knowledge

Organization

Innovation

Learning objective questions:

What tool do you get with the three R's, research, reading and reptition, that also makes it easier to present on a topic?

Command of knowledge

What is it called when you gather research matierial, write notes and then make an outline?

Organization

What is the hardest and most rewarding part of a presentation?

Innovation

Instructor Canidates

2008-11-24T22:46:00.003-06:00

From Comal Divemaster and Instructor Training

Day 3 Academics

2008-11-24T22:25:00.002-06:00

Today's academic session included:

Getting instructor pre-qual test back for review. This will be corrected open book then gone over in class.

Each student re-presented their first presentation with critical review, then presented their second presentation with critical review.

Students were asked to re-work first two presentations and complete a new assigned presentation next week.

Assigned chapter reading review did not happen. Students will have additional week to review chapter reading. This will be gone over at next academic meeting.

M in the middle of things

2008-11-21T19:23:00.000-06:00

2008-11-21T19:10:00.000-06:00

But where is the third guy? Always behind the spot light.

2 of 3 future instructors

2008-11-21T18:31:00.001-06:00

T and G with a divemaster.

2008-11-20T23:15:00.003-06:00

Day 2

Classroom

Reviewed requirements for Scuba Instructor Training. Reviewed tasks to be accomplished prior to evaluation and evaluation standards.

Each student did a Teaching Presentation.

One at a time, the presentation was critically evaluated with suggestions for improvement.

Reading assignment made, new presentation topic selected. Students will also re work first teaching presentation and present it again.

2008-11-20T23:07:00.003-06:00

Day 1

Confined water

Scuba Bailout

Scuba unit removal and turn air off, swim away on snorkel

Skin dive ditch, mask and fins

Swim 100 yds

Breath hold swim under water, attempt 25 yards

Breath hold recover of mask and fins, clear mask and snorkel

Breath hold recover scuba unit

Circle of 5, exchange masks

Circle of 5, exchange scuba unit

Buddy breath on bottom

Buddy breath while swimming

Student comfort

2008-11-20T23:04:00.002-06:00

You got to make the students comfortable in the water!

Where you want to be!

2008-11-20T23:01:00.001-06:00

It ain't easy being Cheesy!

2008-11-20T22:58:00.001-06:00

G

2008-11-20T22:54:00.001-06:00

M and G

2008-11-20T22:51:00.001-06:00

Scuba Instructor Training

2008-11-20T22:23:00.000-06:00

This blog is to document the training of three Divemasters who have begun training to become scuba instructors.