First dive after your course
The first dive after completing the introductory course should be an interesting and positive experience for the diver. Slight nervousness or trembling may occur before diving. Otherwise, the diver must be sure that his newly acquired knowledge is appropriate. The level of self-confidence of a diver, in addition to human character, largely depends on the quality of the course. That confidence can decide whether such a diver will enjoy future dives. Or they will never put the cylinders on their backs again. The future student should do everything in his power to choose a course and an instructor who will teach him to dive safely and responsibly in the future.
Diving instructors and schools
Various diving clubs, companies, and individuals offering diving education are appearing on the market. Each of them had to get a license – permission to organize courses and thus the possibility of issuing diving tickets. They received a license from various diving schools. Most often recreational diving schools, which have recently become increasingly popular around the world. Here are some of the most common: PADI, CMAS, SSI, PSS, GUE, BSAC, NAUI, …
Each of them has its own standards, which more or less precisely prescribe the rules that must be followed by both teachers and students. Which should also be given to divers who have received a diving card. The standards prescribe which subject instructors must give to trainees. What skills must the student master, how is the knowledge tested, the maximum number of participants, … Of course, the standards of different schools vary greatly, and it is often difficult to say which are better or worse. Some are more liberal than others, some are suitable for certain environments and certain types of diving. To make the choice of the appropriate course even more difficult, it is necessary to opt for one of the listed diving schools and an instructor who teaches according to the program of a certain school.
Choose the appropriate and good diving school is important. Because each offers the minimum skills that a diver must acquire in order to successfully complete the course. However, it is more important to choose an instructor. Because it is better to have a good instructor who teaches according to a maybe worse program, than a bad one who teaches from a good program…
The price of a diving course is not the most important
Too often, future students decide on a course only on the basis of the price of the course, and its duration. Some also ask what this price includes. And expect the course price to include everything from books, diaries, to equipment rental and card issuance.
The goal of potential students is to get as much as possible for their money. This should not only mean as much as possible in the material sense of the word. But rather in the sense of knowledge, experience, and exercises.
A very important part of a good course is the quality and quantity of information that the instructor provides to his student. The student will therefore ask what they will learn from this course. With what details and in what time period. They should find out what to expect after completing their course. And based on the instructor’s response, assess whether the course is more focused on the highest possible level of knowledge or not.
What to seek in your diving instructor
One of the important data is certainly the number of dives performed by the instructor. The greater the number of dives and the more diverse they are. You can gain more knowledge from the course. Instructor communication with you is also very important. Many good diving instructors are not communicative enough. That is why it is sometimes difficult for them to provide you with quality knowledge. The instructor can explain diving for hours and hours. But the student cannot fully understand everything until he tries it in the water. That is why the “water” part of this course is the most important.
How many lectures does the course have and how long do you stay in the water?
The length and thoroughness of the course influence safety. As well as the comfort of the diver during the dives after completing the course. During this course, the instructor will demonstrate certain skills in the water. And then the students will try to repeat them. In many courses, a certain skill is tried only once in the pool. After a pool, you try it in the sea. Which proves that you master a certain skill. We really master certain skills when we perform them several times in unfavorable conditions. During longer and more extensive courses, the student has more time to master vital skills. In case the skills are not well mastered. Your diving career in the course will not be long enough to gain the appropriate experience.
It is important to be aware that longer and more extensive courses cost more. But is worth investing both time and money in skills designed to save your life underwater.
When do you get a diving certificate?
Some of the students are convinced that after the course they must get a diving card. As a confirmation of completion of the course. They think they have to get it because they paid for it. But the truth is that the card needs to be earned. Also, the opinion of some instructors is that it is detrimental to their business if they do not issue or approve the issuance of a diving card for each student. The truth is just the opposite. The instructor who issues somebody a diving card despite the fact that he has not mastered the necessary skills in the water and has not acquired the necessary knowledge does him a rather bad service. Because it endangers his life and the lives of his future fellow divers.
So sometimes it happens that at higher or even technical levels of diving, we come across these students. Who does not know how to satisfactorily empty the water from the mask. Nor any other basic skills. In case the diver does not acquire the appropriate knowledge and does not acquire enough exercises. He will be endangered in the water because he didn’t master the skill of getting out of certain difficult situations. In addition, the student pays the instructor to teach him certain skills. And therefore has to wait to get what he paid for. The student must of course have the appropriate interest and desire to learn. And sometimes the appropriate perseverance if there are more problems with any of the exercises.
The student needs to find the right instructor. To find a course with good content and appropriate equipment. As well as to invest a lot of effort and strength. If he wants to master all the necessary skills for a diving card.
Spending time inquiring about various instructors and courses is a good investment in feeling good in the water after the course. And above all, to dive safely.
