From: Karl_Schutz@rand.ORG (Karl Schutz)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: Re: getting started-selecting instructors
Date: 26 Jan 93 21:10:04 GMT
Organization: The RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California

In article <1993Jan26.131311.11874@gssec.bt.co.uk>, awright@gssec.bt.co.uk (Alan Wright) writes:
> In article <1993Jan25.175628.27012@smos.com>,
> joseph@smos.com (Joseph Crunk) writes:
> |> 
> |> [ ..stuff deleted... ]
> |> 
> |> This is good for experienced divers. But what about beginners? My inference
> |> being that only an experienced diver is able to assess a *good instructor*.
> 
> I would disagree (see below).
> 
> |> [ ...more stuff deleted... ]
>
> ... However, assuming
> that most instructors actually hold the qualifications they say they
> have, then all you are worried about is their attitude/approach.
> 
> Generally if the instructor makes you nervous then common sense
> should tell you that this may not be the right person to teach you.
> 
> [ ...even more stuff deleted... ]
> 
> The normal teaching procedure is:
>         1. Instructor explains the exercise
>         2. Instructor demonstrates the exercise
>         3. Student attempts to imitate instructor
> 
> Again common sense should tell you that if the instructor appears
> to be struggling to do 1 or 2 then it may be better for you not to
> attempt 3 with this instructor.
>  

I agree wholeheartedly that the above is part of the equation in assessing
whether an instructor is right for you; however, even with proper qualifications,
how does a potential student know whether an instructor follows the teaching
standards outline by the certifying agency?  How does the student know the 3-step
procedure above is the proper course of action.  Furthermore, are these steps
conducted first in confinded water and then in open water; or, vice versa; or,
does it matter?  The agency's teaching standards should state, but how does the
potential student know that a given instructor regularly adheres to the 
standards?  

Good/bad example: an instructor gets backlogged with students due to weather. 
A couple is in a hurry to complete the course before they leave on their dive
vacation.  To accommodate their schedule, the instructor (given pool-time
availability) conducts the open water sessions before the pool sessions. 
(Unfortunately, there are documented reports within PADI that this occurs :-( )
In this example, the instructor has subjected the students to the more demanding
tasks prior to the less demanding tasks.  Not a safe teaching practice, IMHO.   
The instructor is competent/confident with the material, and a real accommodating
person.  However, too accommodating, placing students at unnecessary risk.  IMHO,
not a *good instructor*.

So where does that leave us?  Can ONLY an experienced diver assess a *good
instructor*?  No, for the reasons Mr. Wright states above.  Can a non-diver
assess a *good instructor*.  No (well maybe no), because of pitfalls akin to that
exemplified above.  Both reputation/recommendations within/from the diving
community and the non-diver's personal assessment of an instructor's character
contribute to identifying *good instructors*.


-- 
Karl F. Schutz
PADI DM-50321
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