can be very gratifying when the students respond well to instruction and but at times downright hairpulling frustrating.
Some individuals just dont seem to have it.But they seem to think they are natural water babies.No big deal,breathing underwater,swimming around ,which is pretty much the case except that one needs to be smooth and stable
when swimming ,in full control,not like a rampaging bull charging through the coral reef,crashing and tearing the reef apart,scaring away the fishes.
Yup,tough profession we have ,patience,tactfulness is a prerequisite skill we must master When at times you want to say , "Hey,so sorry,but you are an absolute disaster underwater,a downright clumsy oaf who cant be trusted to be left to your own devices underwater ,you would probably drown yourself or worst be an ecological threat to the reef as it is. i just cannot in good conscience sign you a certificate and face mother nature.'
But in tactful reality , you sigh ,take a deep breathe , then turn around and with a grin- careful not to let it resemble a painful grimace , you say to them, " Ummmm,, you know what , I think you need a few more sessions to practice and improve on your underwater skills- come back another time to the dive shop ,and we will work on it,i suggest you put in some practice in a swimming pool when back in the city . Overall,you did well, just some minor kinks need to be ironed out.WE'll make a diver out of you yet".!!
There are also the other type,certified divers who can dive but lack the experience to the more challenging diving environments.So called advanced dive sites.
Beginner divers are restricted to not more than 18 meters depth and preselected sites mainly out of safety considerations,more emphasis on the fun factor than taking unnecessary risks.
And you 'll have this divers come to you and say,i want to go this site or that,why dont you take me there,i heard its a brilliant dive site.just slightly deeper but no problem,i can handle it.I've already done 10 dives in my log and its no big deal,i feel i am ready for all conditions,i insist we dive there,we are paying for diving so as a customer,our request has priority .
Hmmm...Right ...'' In your mind you are thinking,," this dude is asking to go to a site where the currents can sweep even the experienced divers out to open sea if they make a mistake,max depth is like 60 meters which is off limits even to us professionals,so have to be extremely careful not to go too deep,and diving with you- what i see is a buffoon who never checks his depth while underwater, the word 'hazard' is the name of a song from the 80s, and when swimming underwater with your fins, technique looks like pedalling an imaginary bicyle , if ,i take you to this dive site , it will be akin to holding your hand and jumping off the top of a 30m waterfall and taking your chances when you land in the water.OK,you have a death wish,but please,not on my shift".
But what you really think need to be in stark contrast on what you eventually say which is something to this effect , " Oh ,yeah , sure,i'll take you there,if you want ,not today though, coz the dive site is at open sea and weather forecasts very rough conditions for few days,off limits to small boats,maybe tomorow , if weather calms down".
Then when tomorrow comes and he still asks and insist on going ,you'll say,"Oh,the dive centre next door went and came and told us not to go because visibility is very bad,can't see more than 1 meter ,so no point,cant see the dive site even if you dive in,tell you what,let me take you to another site almost as good as this one,vis is fantastic,you can see 20 meters all around, It will be great , i promise.."
We also have a trick up our sleeves as a last resort.If they are still insistent on going after few days ,then we go , we dive and go back. Their Response" not really that good this site,dont see what the hype was about" . And You say "Yup,you're right,we do think that this site is a bit overrated, " but the fact of the matter is that, in your mind you are thinking in a whispered tone
"of course its not that good as expected,dumkopf ,thats because we didnt exactly take you there ,just decided to rename another dive site so it has the same name to the one you requested to go to
.All in your honour,cos we know you wont be able to tell the difference,"
Well ,why not ? sneaky i 'll admit,yet in the end everyone's happy,and no mishaps to worry about.
Customer's satisfaction.
