Posted by Bill Johnson on July 17, 2001 at 17:03:15:
In Reply to: Re: Descent Lines; was Scuba Classes posted by e-shark on July 17, 2001 at 13:58:56:
e-shark,
It is one of my goals for students to ENJOY scuba-diving. If they don't get hooked on it their first few dives, they aren't going to want to do it after class is over. The scnario you depict above does not sound ENJOYABLE.
I must confess that I would use an ascent line in this scnario. Better yet, I would try to find another site or day that would be more ENJOYABLE. The boat captains are usually pretty good at finding a better spot than you describe.
I guess I must add to the way my position is being perceived. While I never take a float and anchor with me, I try to prepare each student for ascents / descents. If there is a questionable student that I brought anyway (rare), I have used the anchor line before (or an existing permanent buoy) for their first dive, but I try very hard to prepare the student for buoyancy control before I take him to open water. If there is no such line available (in the case of a questionable student), I will personally escort them to the bottom.
If vis is 10' or less, some standards don't even allow open water students in the water. I think that is a pretty good idea.
Since our pool is 14' deep, I think it simulates a 20' open water descent pretty well.
I agree with you though, the descent line isn't the problem - it is the easy solution to lack of buoyancy control skill and a way to offer $100 classes.
Bill