The start of SCUBA training–whether it’s for an open water certification or a cave diving certification–is a truly wild moment where divers (or soon to be divers) must choose who they will go underwater with. At this stage, it is impossible to apprehend all risks related to SCUBA, and yet the participant is responsible for choosing the instructor who will impart these otherwise unknown skills of mitigating and responding to underwater risk. The problem seems cyclical: You do not know what you do not know–what good SCUBA habits are versus bad ones–yet you must successfully select the person with the right knowledge to teach you what you do not know, and impart information in an effective manner.
This problem is reinforced by websites. Many suggest sussing out your potential instructors. But how do you do that if you don’t know what to look for or ask? This post offers suggestions for navigating that complexity, even without knowledge of the SCUBA activity. This post starts by listing possible incompatibilities between students and instructors, focusing on cave and cavern diving. It suggests interview techniques as a way to figure out.
Problems:
The purpose of identifying these traits is to create a (fictional but grounded) cognitive framework for the person to whom you speak. A cognitive framework is a theoretical model that explains how individuals process, store, and apply information about events.
1. Rigidity Without Rationale
How they’re interpreting thr world around them A difference between knowledgeable ans authoritive on the subject and rigid and blind Sometimes the two can look similar
That to me indicates rigidity in thinking Instead of taking in tailoring to the needs of the group A dogmatic ideal that may not be consistent with the group or reality Especially if things have changed over time – instead of dynamically responding to needs as they present themselves.
Interview:
Casual way – story time.
Does this person have a “them versus me” mentality?
Actor-observer bias
(e.g. they are lazy, incompetant, enter. I am enter)
Find their weaknesses
Do your weaknesses and their weaknesses play well together?
For example, ENTER.
Yes, drowning is the looming risk–but what are the conditions that lead to drowning?
and skills needed to
It is that other person’s job to impart that.
The skills to determine who you want to provide to you skills.
wild moment when you are trusting another person with your life
Because you don’t know what you don’t know.
Many guides will say “talk to your dive instructor and carefully pick one out” without a how
This offers suggestions for an interview:
Problems followed by interview suggestions
- Rigidity Without Rationale
How they’re interpreting thr world around them A difference between knowledgeable ans authoritive on the subject and rigid and blind Sometimes the two can look similar
That to me indicates rigidity in thinking Instead of taking in tailoring to the needs of the group A dogmatic ideal that may not be consistent with the group or reality Especially if things have changed over time – instead of dynamically responding to needs as they present themselves.
- Consistency Without Comprehension
- Expertise Without Empathy
- Precision Without Patience
Are there other operators that dive this cave?
Is there flow? Personal fitness
When is the last time you dived here? What makes this cave different? Will we be doing any
Would happen to the other guys but not them Eagles nest mistake
Another sign: chest beating
Ask invasive questions
Cave
Maintained and by who People check lines
Community
shedivescaves.com 