Dive Training Blogs
Scuba Professional: Column No. 6
School’s Out!
When is a technical dive not a technical dive? When complacency sets in, even the most experienced of scuba divers can make mistakes that could cost them their lives…
The group of four guys who star in this story are all instructors and trained technical divers. One day last year they decided to go out on a dive to look for manta rays and mola-mola, the oceanic sunfish that Bali’s Nusa Penida is famous for attracting at certain times of the year.
It would just be the four of them: no new divers or guests around to distract them or spoil the fun. They were aware that the search for the mola-mola could take them into deep water, so they were all equipped with back-mounted double cylinders or twin side-mounted independent single cylinders. A couple of them had just completed a sidemount course in open water and were practicing with this new configuration. Their back gas was air and they also had decompression cylinders on the boat filled with NITROX 40.
As they were gearing up on the boat, one of the divers clipped on a decompression cylinder but the other three decided against carrying an extra cylinder on the basis that it would just over-burden them.
Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida
What a Dive!
It was an eventful dive. They descended on to a shallow cleaning station and immediately found a group of manta rays sweeping in to get serviced. However, the ocean swell crashing against nearby cliffs and then rebounding made it difficult for the divers to maintain their position in the water. They often had to swim hard against the surge to keep the mantas in view.
Once they had seen enough manta action they headed into deeper water away from the cliffs in search of a thermocline and, they hoped, some mola-mola hiding in the cooler water below. At around 36m they found exactly what they were looking for. A blurry shimmer in the sea announced the presence of a cool upwelling. Two enormous sunfish were lurking beyond, the parasites on their large disc-shaped bodies being picked off by a school of black, yellow and white bannerfish.
The divers were understandably excited and stayed watching and photographing the sunfish for several minutes. Looking at their computers they knew they had gone into decompression but they were quite relaxed about this. After all, they all had at least two cylinders. They could think about taking care of whatever decompression burden they had accrued when they eventually got back to the shallows. Unfortunately, none of the divers were monitoring their air supply closely so they didn’t realise that the combination of the surge, the depth, the cold water and the thrill of seeing all the big fish had caused their breathing rate to increase.
Mola-mola and diver, Nusa Penida
The Fun Turns Serious.
It was the diver with the decompression cylinder who noticed first. He glanced at the gauges on his side-mounted twins and saw to his surprise that he had only 40bar and 60bar remaining. He signalled to the others that he was ascending and started to move up beyond the thermocline and back towards the shallows. After a few minutes he felt a tug on his arm and turned to find one of his buddies showing him that the pressure gauge on his doubles was reading 20bar. After a few minutes of confusion, during which they used up even more of their rapidly diminishing breathing supply, the diver who had the most air unclipped his decompression cylinder and passed it to the other diver. They then both headed up to start their decompression stops which by then totalled over 30 minutes.
Focussed completely on their own problems and buffeted by water movement in the shallows, the two divers drifted apart and became separated. The diver who now had the decompression cylinder was fine. He completed his stops comfortably and eventually ascended alone and returned to the boat.
The other diver was now regretting handing over his emergency gas as it dawned on him that, without it, he no longer had enough gas to complete his own decompression. The sight of the other two divers coming towards him raised his hopes. However, they were swiftly dashed when he saw what their gauges were showing. They were in exactly the same predicament as he was.
With air supplies down to almost zero, the three divers decided that their best option was for one of them to go to the surface, omitting his remaining decompression stops, swim to the boat, get a couple of full cylinders with regulators attached and come back down with them. The diver with the least amount of decompression time remaining bravely volunteered.
Luckily, all the divers survived unharmed. The diver who had blown his stops and redescended spent the journey back to the dock breathing emergency oxygen as a precaution but he felt no symptoms of decompression illness. Nobody spoke much on the return journey; it had been a chastening experience.
While the Cat’s Away
There is a popular maxim that says, “While the cat’s away, the mice will play.” There they were, all good divers who knew what they were doing, on a fun dive looking for big fish. There was nobody else around: no technical instructor to judge or reprimand them: no trainee divers who might follow their example. School was well and truly out! So why not just relax and let the rules slide for once? No need to worry about planning. They all had two cylinders and lots of air. If they ran into a bit of deco, they would just do the stops. What could go wrong?
Telling the story later, they described this as a technical dive. This was not a technical dive. A technical dive has pre-set parameters and is planned in detail with potential risks assessed and prepared for. This was just a deep, long dive in difficult conditions approached casually and carelessly by a group of divers who should have known better and who could have ended up paying for their carelessness with their lives.
The certification cards they hold show that they were all trained in decompression diving procedures by good technical diving instructors and all had the skills to execute a deep, long dive successfully. They had all planned a number of complex technical dives in the past and knew how to calculate gas requirements, compute decompression plans and work as a team to ensure the safe return to the surface of all the divers in that team.
Technical Diving. Photo: Andrey Bizyukin
Instructional Issues
So what went wrong?
What they had apparently not been taught sufficiently well is that the rules and procedures for decompression diving apply to all decompression dives, not just dives when someone is looking over your shoulder or when you have students with you. It is possible also that they were not accustomed to taking responsibility for the planning when no technical instructor was around. Perhaps their instructors had taken too much of a hands-on role during their training and had not prepared them adequately for dives when no instructor was present?
When instructors are teaching a course at any level, they must make sure that the students realise that they are not being taught the skills and procedures just in order to pass the course. If you are a student, you must understand that your instructors are not asking you to dive in a certain way just to please them or to satisfy training agency requirements. What you are learning are new habits that need to be practiced beyond the training course, on every dive, whether your instructor is there or not.
Shared Blame
Instructors get used to students depending on them. Many actually grow to like the feeling! However, while dependency may give a boost to the instructor’s ego, it is not at all good for the student. By the final dive in any course, an instructor should be in the role of passive observer. Of course they are still responsible for the successful completion of the dive but they should not be a necessary component for the dive’s success.
The students, as a team, should be able to demonstrate all the skills and knowledge required to complete a dive at the level being taught without the instructor’s intervention or assistance. The reason for this is obvious. On the next dive they do at this level, the instructor will not be there. So if the divers are dependent in any way on the instructor’s presence in order to complete a successful dive, the instructor must add more training dives because they are evidently not yet ready to go out on their own.
Complacency Kills
The divers were exhibiting a mind set common in experienced and professional divers. They may preach the right way to others but at some point they have come to believe that the rules no longer apply to them. This is complacency and complacency kills. There are no occasions when the rules for safe diving can be ignored or bypassed.
Read more from Simon in “Scuba Professional – Insights into Sport Diver Training & Operations” and his bestselling book “Scuba Confidential – An Insider’s Guide to Becoming a Better Diver”, both available from Amazon or iTunes in paperback, e-book and audiobook versions. And if you have friends who are planning to learn to scuba dive, do them a favour and direct them to Simon’s latest book “Scuba Fundamental – Start Diving the Right Way“.
The diving world thrives on passion and adventure, but for many dive store owners, the financial and operational challenges can be as deep as the ocean.
NovoScuba, an emerging force in the diving world, is on a mission to transform this landscape for the better. With a revolutionary approach to dive store and training agency partnerships, NovoScuba is setting new standards for how dive stores can thrive while keeping their focus on delivering exceptional diving experiences.
A New Paradigm: NovoScuba’s Bold Mission
NovoScuba’s mission is straightforward yet profound: to disrupt the traditional dynamics between dive store owners and training agencies. Traditionally, dive stores have been subjected to substantial fees charged by training agencies, for membership, materials and certifications. These costs have often placed a heavy financial burden on store owners, cutting into their profits and limiting their ability to offer competitive prices to customers.
NovoScuba flips the script by offering a model where dive stores earn money, instead of paying high fees. Dive stores receive commissions for every student they register, and their certification costs are covered. This new model not only boosts profitability but also ensures clients get top-quality training at unbeatable prices.
Financial Upsides: Earn From Student Registration
NovoScuba’s approach is simple yet revolutionary. Dive stores partnering with NovoScuba can earn commissions for every student they enroll.
Here’s how it works: For every student enrolled through NovoScuba, dive stores receive a commission. Each student enrolled will receive their e-learning materials and certification credit included in their subscription. This arrangement is a significant departure from the traditional model, where dive stores often struggle to manage high overhead costs related to training fees and certification expenses.
NovoScuba’s approach ensures that dive stores can focus on what they do best—providing top-notch diving experiences—without being bogged down by excessive financial burdens, and the need to carry large stocks of materials.
Quality Training at a Great Price
NovoScuba stands out by offering high-quality, ISO certified, training that doesn’t break the bank, in fact our students will pay less than with most competing agencies. Clients benefit from top-notch education and safety standards at competitive prices. Dive store owners can confidently promote NovoScuba’s programs, knowing they’re offering fantastic training at affordable rates. This balance of quality and affordability helps dive stores build a strong reputation and attract more customers.
Your Brand is Your Business: NovoScuba’s Commitment to Showcasing Your Identity
At NovoScuba, we understand that your brand is your most valuable asset, and we’re committed to putting it front and centre. Unlike agencies that charge high fees to promote their own brand, we believe in investing in yours. With NovoScuba, you won’t be paying to advertise someone else’s logo alone, — our focus is on showcasing your unique identity. Certifications prominently feature your brand, as well as the training agency, reinforcing your store’s image and brand every step of the way. We’re here to support and elevate your brand, ensuring that your investment directly benefits your business.
Affordable Membership: An Investment in Your Success
NovoScuba’s membership model is designed with dive store owners in mind. Membership fees are kept low and include annual Pro member fees for your team. Payment can be made monthly or annually in your local currency, avoiding the hassle of exchange rate fluctuations. NovoScuba promises no exchange rate changes without a six-month notice, ensuring financial stability and simplifying budgeting. With a membership lasting 12 months from date of joining, you’ll enjoy a full year of NovoScuba’s benefits and support.
Streamlined Operations: Simplifying Your Workload
Handling administrative tasks can be a challenge, but NovoScuba makes it easier. We’ve streamlined certification procedures and reduced paperwork to help dive stores operate more efficiently. Certification processing is quick and straightforward, allowing more focus on teaching and customer service. Our system minimises bureaucracy by storing necessary forms in student profiles, reducing paperwork and administrative delays.
Crossover Made Easy
For dive stores looking to transition to NovoScuba’s model, the crossover process is designed to be smooth and hassle-free. NovoScuba provides support to ensure that the transition is as seamless as possible, helping dive store owners integrate into the new system with minimal disruption. Experienced dive Pros don’t need to undergo extensive retraining. Our crossover is designed to familiarise Pros with NovoScuba’s user-friendly platform, standards and course structures, and not to waste time and expense re-training in water.
With just a few simple steps, you’ll be ready to offer top-notch training through NovoScuba.
Comprehensive Business Support and Training Included in Your Membership
NovoScuba goes beyond financial benefits by offering experienced support and training. This value added service includes:
- Business Training: Optimise your operations with guidance on marketing, customer service, and best practices.
- Marketing and Promotion: Access resources to attract new customers and boost your store’s visibility. Enjoy cross promotions with NovoScuba to gain increased exposure.
- Ongoing Support: NovoScuba’s commitment to its partners extends beyond initial training and setup. The company offers ongoing support to address any issues or questions that arise. This continuous support ensures that dive store owners have a reliable resource to turn to whenever they need assistance.
Embracing Digital Natives: Instant Evolution and Continuous Improvement
NovoScuba’s digital-native approach is a game-changer. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, we ensure our services evolve and improve swiftly. Dive stores benefit from instant updates, the latest features, enhancements, and effective solutions, keeping them ahead of the curve. This continuous improvement helps dive stores stay competitive and deliver exceptional services. Whether it’s a new course update, additional marketing resources, or improved e-learning functions, NovoScuba’s digital infrastructure ensures that dive stores are always equipped with the most current and effective solutions. This continuous evolution not only helps dive stores stay ahead in a competitive market but also ensures they consistently provide top-quality services to their clients.
Why Is NovoScuba Doing This? – Fair Profit Sharing for Greater Access and Growth
At NovoScuba, we’ve taken a bold step by paying commissions to stores rather than following the traditional model of training agencies charging high fees. Our mission is to make diving accessible to everyone and to foster a growing community of new divers and continued education. By redistributing profits more equitably between stores and training agencies, we aim to create a more supportive and collaborative environment within the industry. We believe this approach not only helps individual stores thrive but also stimulates overall growth and innovation in diving. Our commitment to fair profit sharing reflects our dedication to the long-term health and expansion of the diving community.
Everyone is getting a piece of the pie.
Getting Started: Join the NovoScuba Revolution
Ready to revolutionise your dive store experience? NovoScuba is here to support your journey toward reduced costs, increased profitability, and enhanced operational efficiency. Get in touch with our team to learn how NovoScuba can transform your business.
For more information, email info@novoscuba.com or visit www.novoscuba.academy.
By Marissa Eckert
What are the requirements to start cave diving? What do I need to do to be prepared for cave training? These are all questions I get asked by so many potential students. There are many options when coming up with an answer. The first option, and the easiest, would be to go the training agency website and look up the requirements to take the class. However, this leaves a lot open for interpretation and doesn’t mean you will necessarily be ready. Like anything, there always needs to be minimum requirements. But is that enough? Maybe for some people it is, but for most people it’s not.
So, what are the requirements?
TDI breaks cave training down into three different levels. Those levels are cavern, intro to cave, and full cave. To start cavern the requirements state that you must be 18 years old or 15 years old with parental consent, have an Open Water Certification, and a minimum of 25 logged dives. This doesn’t sound like much. So, what do I tell my students when they ask me? First, I find out if they are only interested in cavern or if they are interested in potentially progressing into cave diving. If they are interested in progressing into cave diving, I always strongly suggest they get comfortable with a dual configuration first. This configuration can be side mount, back-mounted doubles, or even a rebreather. The main things I tell everyone they need to have down are buoyancy, good trim position, the ability to hover in place motionless without moving their hands or feet, and good overall awareness. This means awareness of oneself and what your body and equipment are doing, but also total awareness of what is going on around you.
So, what does all this mean?
Many times I’ve had students show up thinking they had all these things mastered only to quickly realize they have a long way to go. Which by the way, is okay! After all, we all start somewhere and progress at different paces. The most important thing is to be open to feedback. But there are also ways to prepare yourself better. First and foremost, when starting down this route it is critical to find a good instructor. Take time to look up instructors, ask questions, interview them, look at their past students, look at what type of diving they are doing, and most importantly ask questions! Find out what techniques they use during class.
I have found that video recording students when they are struggling with something gives them a great perspective to see what they are doing wrong and helps them visualize and correct it. Does the instructor look good as a diver? Whether you like social media or not, the internet can be a great place for research. When looking at a diver they should look in trim, almost like they are laying flat on a table. In videos are they finning with their hands? Are their feet constantly moving? Are there things dangling below their body? All equipment and hoses should be extremely clean and contoured to the body.
The most important question to always ask during training is WHY? There should always be a why behind everything we do. And it should never just be because I said so. Make sure the instructor knows why they are telling you to do something a particular way. Everyone can always learn new ways of doing things, instructors included.
How can you truly prepare yourself?
A good idea is to record video of yourself or have a friend record you while diving. Send it to your instructor ahead of time, so they can give you feedback and let you know if there are things you need to work on. There is no certain number of years to be diving, or a certain number of dives to have, that says yes you will be ready. Every individual learns at a different pace. If a class is only offered in a minimum number of days with a maximum number of students allowed, be aware that this means less time practicing each skill. For this reason, you might be better suited doing one-on-one training or having a regular buddy take the class with you. This ensures you are comfortable with each other and familiar with each other’s habits in and out of the water, and that you get along!
The most important thing of all is to come to class with an open mind, a readiness to learn, and no concern with whether you will receive a card, but with a concern that you will learn to be a better, safer, more competent diver. I always tell my students safety is the number one most important thing in cave diving, but fun is a close second! Sometimes, it may not feel fun. Stop and ask yourself does this instructor have your best interests at heart? I know I certainly do. I want to go to sleep each night knowing that I gave my students as much knowledge as possible to make them safe and thoughtful cave divers.
With proper training, proper equipment, proper experience, and a proper attitude I think cave diving can be done very safely. I often joke that the most dangerous thing about cave diving is driving to the dive site!
To find out more about International Training, visit www.tdisdi.com.
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