Dive Master Skills

At last this I have managed to secure some pool time exclusively for our group of trainee Dive Masters. We have been so busy with a range of courses and events that getting round to make sure that we could assess skill circuits had apparently taken something of back seat.

Now I am delighted to report that we are that much closer to signing off the guys and girls that have put so much effort into achieving the very highest standards.

Demonstration of skills is so much more than just being able to conduct the skill. A lot of emphasis is put on speed. There is no doubt that if a skill is performed to quickly it is impossible to properly see what is going on. Rushing at anything is likely to prove ineffective and you may think that you have got it but much is always lost in the rush.

The most important thing to me is not the speed but the clarity of emphasis on each of the key attributes that make up the skill. I took some time out to write a booklet for each of our trainee DM's identifying the key attributes along with guidance to allow scoring of top marks. To be absolutely fair the effort even for an Instructor is worth it because it does make you really think through what you are about when you commit it to writing.

In the pool today we had a range of scores though entirely based upon experience so far in the DM programme. I was delighted to see all the skills being well performed. Demonstration is of course a different matter. You need to be very sure of the skill, the attributes and then you must think in terms of giving a performance.

When practised sufficiently the performance becomes second nature. Then some of your personality can start to come through. In the past I worked with Colin and Graham as they went through the skill circuit and if I learnt something from both of them it was to practice, practice and practice. Both did this out of the water more than they did it in the water but it did mean they ended up being really good.

Anyway, I am now looking forward to diving in Porthkerris and Plymouth in what is predicted to be scorching weather. Love it!

Well done to Amanda, James, Gill and Graham...........good days fun.