Posted by JRM on June 20, 2001 at 11:58:08:
In Reply to: A sincere question posted by brianc on June 20, 2001 at 11:06:03:
While not an instructor, here's a (somewhat) funny that happened in my OW1 class.
First pool session. We were all geared up, and had practiced putting the stuff on and off several times. Everyone seemed at least able to get dressed. So we get all kitted up, fins in hand, and start walking down the steps. A couple students are standing in the shallow end, and the other three are waiting to get in the pool. Well, what the instructor didn't know, is that one lady had a death fear of water. She was only taking the class because her boyfriend wanted to dive on a vacation. Apparently, she was a near drowning victim (rescuscitated at the scene) in her teens. She hesitated at the top of the steps. Somehow managed to get the courage to take the first step (6" or so of water). After what seemed like forever, she stepped down to the second step. And then she had the nervous breakdown.
So just prior to our first in-water excercises we all witnessed this poor lady melt down. Not exactly the "positive reinforcement" or confidence builder. And the poor instructor (and even poorer DM who tried to console her while the rest of us did the class, since it was in her boyfriends pool in the first place).
Don't worry, she failed.
JRM