Dive Training Blogs
How to simulate blacked out water training
By: Thomas Powell
In the modern dive community, every type of diving has inherent risks. The reality is that every little niche within scuba diving will always have supporters who will claim that their type of diving is the “coolest, toughest, most interesting, or most exotic.” No matter what type of dive you perform, we all undergo training and gather experience in order to improve our knowledge, muscle memory, and general safety. The public safety diving community is one of these niche groups within scuba diving.
The primary difference between public safety divers and others is that public safety divers rarely enter the water for enjoyment. Instead, they prepare for the worst so they can serve their communities in times of need. The majority of their dives are performed in less than ideal conditions in places where bad guys realize evidence would be difficult to find. This type of diving can affect any diver’s mental state which makes training essential. Worry, fear, bravado, and desperation must all be overcome to remain safe while trying to provide service and care to others.
Evidentiary items are often tossed away into filthy bodies of water in the hope that law enforcement will never be able to perform an effective recovery
These waters may have low levels of visibility, contaminates, obstructions, and various other problematic factors. In turbid black water, visibility may get so low that adding light is like turning on high beam headlights in the fog. Only muck and particulates are illuminated. A diver’s ability to see does not improve. So how do you train for a situation in which you cannot see? Over the years, many methods have been developed.
First it must be recognized that many dive teams begin training and are developed during a period when equipment is being purchased or gathered. This factor means that newer divers are used to half-masks and have not yet moved on to full-face systems. To begin preparing for black water environments, these standard half-masks must be covered. This action can be accomplished by purchasing manufactured mask covers, or simply by covering the outer mask lens/es with something such as duct tape. If the mask can be applied to the face and no light enters, the mask is ready for training use.
Similar to half-masks, full-face masks must be prepared for black water training once a team is prepared and trained in the proper use of full-face systems. Like half-masks, certain manufacturers make covers for full-face masks. Despite this, items such as mask covers may be viewed as costly with already-tight team budgets. For this reason, many teams have learned to tape lenses in a similar fashion to half-masks, or to stuff the airspace inside masks with dark substances such as black plastic.
Methods used must not deteriorate the comfort of the divers
No matter how a team decides to eliminate visibility in masks used for training, the methods used must not deteriorate the comfort of the divers other than to eliminate visibility. Anything protruding into the face, interfering with a seal, or disrupting the actions of a dive could cause an unneeded and avoidable safety concern. Once methods are determined and safety is evaluated, the first step is to begin the training process in a confined water environment. Teams must take the time to perform search patterns, practice line pulls, simulate procedures, and perform emergency simulations in an environment where support can be offered, actions can be reviewed, and safety can be verified. A location such as a pool will allow team members to perform patterns and actions where safety divers can be readily available, and the surface can be easily reached. Skills should be performed in this type of environment until team members can perform standard operational tasks, search patterns, tactile searches, find tools and cutting devices, switch to backup gas systems, and recover from problematic situations.
Similarly, tenders and shore personnel should take the time to monitor how actions are performed and recognize how they can support and assist other team members based on specific needs while activities are visible. Remember that in black water, the diver depends on his or her tender for support, survival, and direction. Tenders and other surface personnel must be trained and practiced in providing oversight and direction to a diver on the end of a tether. Line pulls, communication-based commands, responses to stress, and reactionary commands must be practiced until they are fluid and performed with immediate recognition.
When a diver first loses the ability to see, he or she often retracts into his or her mental world
Fear can take control and it is often up to the tender to provide the calming voice and mental support. Recognizing stressed breathing or erratic behavior is an important part of the training process. Once a diver and tender can operate in support of one-another, a strong bond will have been developed that can transfer to an open water operation. This bond will help a diver learn to focus his or her mental activity on operational goals. The diver can begin to work on maintaining a tight search pattern, feeling for the item he or she visualizes in his or her mind. Essentially, team work can help a dive team focus on the missions it performs.
Once team members are comfortable in a confined water environment, practice must be moved into a realistic setting. The first objective should be to perform similar actions and tasks in a known open water location. This step will allow divers to begin to adapt to a realistic operational environment. The same basic skills performed in the pool can now be performed in open water. As comfort is established, the team can develop full operational scenarios to see how all members function when divers do not have the ability to see while performing searches. In an open water environment, the tender may no longer be able to see the diver other than bubbles and where the tether enters the water. In contrast, the diver now relies on the tender to recognize the pattern and position in an environment that is no longer a simple swimming pool. The teamwork built in confined water can help divers and tenders work together in an effective fashion. Similarly, potential problems can be recognized, evaluated, and corrected as needed.
Aside from learning to operate in black water environments, other extreme realities must be faced
Many teams get comfortable in full-face systems and as with anything, emergency skills begin to fade. This factor suggests that divers must take the time to practice bailout procedures when all visibility is lost. Again, this is a task that can first be performed in the pool, and then transferred to a controlled open water setting. Basic skill sets cannot be allowed to deteriorate while establishing comfort in tough environments. As we move forward in education, we must all remember to return to return to the basics in periodic cycles. We do not want to learn new things while forgetting what we have already learned. As a dive team member, use new education to build your educational background and work to become a better diver. The objective is to be safe and go home after every dive, not to simply build a larger stack of credentials. To be able to help your community as a public safety diver, you must stick around and grow experience, not be lost to ego and a lack of basic skills practice.
Thomas Powell is the Owner/Instructor Trainer at Air Hogs Scuba, Clayton, NC – Cave Excursions, Live Oak, FL, USA
To find out more about International Training, visit www.tdisdi.com.
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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