Ticking the boxes

I guess this post was going to be another insight into more teaching experiences but I think it may migrate away from that format and into a broader and ultimately more challenging area from my perspective at least.

Since I last posted I have indeed been teaching. I have just been up in Northland  interning on another Part 2 course. We even managed to get out to the Knights on the second day which gave us a real depth range to work on ascents in. 

We pushed hard on day 1 and 2 to get the majority of the academics ticked off and maximize our in water time on the last day. conditions were OK but a little surgy and this made it more challenging for the students to manage gas sharing and lift bags as well as other skills under task loading.

This was the first Part 2 I was to deliver from start to finish. I got stuck in and delivered as much as I could confidently. All of my major lectures are pretty much ticked off now in my intern stats and aside from a couple of signatures for S&P and some rescue skills I may be able to go for exam pretty soon! This is both an exciting and nervous prospect for me.

Throughout my interns I have been supported by a more senior instructor delivering content to questions that were above my knowledge level or outside the scope of the class. This has been great as students tend to ask questions across a range of topics and in a great many areas. It has given some great insights for me into how to handle difficult discussions but it is a double edged sword.

I know I can deliver the content of the course effectively and correctly but is my knowledge base big enough to be able to answer anything that is thrown at me? If and when I pass my exam I will be teaching alone without support of another instructor, so how can I try and broaden my knowledge base in order to handle such left field questions?

I guess this is the point I am trying to make. What is satisfactory for a GUE instructor to know in order to deliver a class? I want students to walk away from their class feeling that not only their skills have improved but also that their questions have been satisfactorily answered and their knowledge broadened.

The answer is to keep developing my own knowledge and not stop. There is never one single way in which you can  definitively answer questions and you will always be posed one you do not know the answer to. I must endeavor to honestly answer what I am capable of and not deliver content that I cannot support. I guess I have to realise that it is growing my knowledge every time I have to find something out, its just hard to be on the spot and not have all the answers!

GUE development in Taranaki

Those who venture to Taranaki are usually left spellbound by its majesty. Our mighty mountain gives birth to the rivers that support life as they flow in every direction. From lush rainforest to the extensive coastline of the ring plain, islands and offshore reefs, it truly is a place like no other. A mixture of volcanic rock and black sand beaches radiate outwards to capture swells from every possible direction, making it arguably Aotearoa’s best surfing location. The diving is incredible too with marine protected areas including Tapuae and Paraninihi where magnificent biogenic reefs support an outstanding assembly of sponges of varying size, shape and colours. The subtidal marine habitats around the Ngā Motu/Sugar Loaf Islands also provide great underwater adventures with spectacular canyons, caves, rock faces and large pinnacles.

During my time here as a DOC ranger I have witnessed and shared the enduring and passionate connection that the people of Taranaki have with the ocean (and land) that surrounds them -Tangaroa has long been a provider of physical and spiritual sustenance. 

The wild nature of Taranaki’s coastal waters simultaneously offer protection and opportunities for hidden exploitation. Our understanding of “what lies beneath” is limited but increasingly vital to the future prosperity of the region and its inhabitants.

As a diver here, the potential for new discoveries is as great as the challenges that the local waters pose. Being a west coast diver requires commitment, the ability to overcome adversity and being in the right place at the right time !

Fortunately Taranaki folk are as rugged as the environment that surrounds them. I started to imagine what could be achieved by a local team of GUE trained divers with a skillset that could make exploration and documentation far easier and safer.

I first met Kevin Erickson while on a search for nitrox in New Plymouth. Kevin runs Oceans Alive, a diver training centre and retail shop perfectly located next to the breakwater. The first thing you notice about Kevin is that he is absolutely obsessed with diving 24/7. Coming from a commercial background affords him fantastic in water comfort and a love of all things metal and shiny (or rusty…) many of which are on display in the store. Kevin’s passion is introducing people to the underwater world and the life it contains. With a drive to explore and develop his personal diving, the goal of becoming a GUE diver was naturally set.

Kevin’s team mate for GUE Fundamentals would be another of the Oceans Alive crew, Mathew Hickey. As well as working in store, Mat is a divemaster currently working towards becoming an instructor. With strong practical skills gained from working on the rigs onshore, Mat is also a medic and coastguard volunteer. A very handy fella to have around, he specialises in bear hugging fully laden rebreathers onto boats.

It would be a fascinating combination. The old dog and the young pup, both eager to learn but with different challenges awaiting them. The course would run over 4 and a half days conducted by myself, Jamie Obern and supported with videography by Rob Wilson.

Previous classes had taught me the importance of logistics in ensuring a successful course outcome and quality learning experience. Although we were running the first ever GUE class in Taranaki, all the important elements were there. 

Oceans Alive is a Halcyon retailer and has a rental department ensuring that course compliant equipment was fully covered. The servicing bay also meant that any unforeseen disasters could be remedied. Banked gas would make fills quick and easy and the office could provide any admin support that we needed. The shop has a flat that provides accommodation for visiting divers and can also double as somewhere to base lectures.

A 5 minute drive from the shop would take us to an indoor private aquatic training facility, purpose built for the commercial sector. 3M deep and 28 degrees, it would provide a perfect learning environment before going to open water. The last part of the course could then be conducted out at the Ngā Motu/Sugar Loaf Islands or Lake Taupō if conditions were unsuitable.

We began on Sunday afternoon with the usual admin and then headed to the pool for swims. The session certainly motivated the guys to want to improve their techniques and practice regularly together. I was impressed by their natural team approach to the task in hand.

The afternoon lecture was structured around introducing GUE, starting to lay out a roadmap for personal development and how the class would run over the coming days. Oceans Alive crew member Halina Sarten then provided a delicious roast pork meal putting the “N” for nutrition into GUE PLAN.

The following days would see a mixture of lectures, dry runs and in water sessions gradually establish the core skills they needed to learn. Buoyancy, trim and propulsion with an emphasis on teamwork were linked to conducting basic skills. These would with practice turn into instinctive life preserving techniques in stressful situations. It would also become apparent to Kevin and Mat how control provides enhanced situational awareness.

Rob’s underwater videos could be used to later visually re-inforce the active feedback being given. This is a vital tool which creates lightbulb moments and allows for quick progression.

Fundamentals is a fascinating course to watch unfold. Seeing your students take on board what is being taught and working hard to succeed is hugely rewarding. Each day sees capacity grow in skill areas that are being refined while new challenges keep on coming.

With the weather having developed into somewhat of a polar storm and 10M swells being reported in the Cook Strait, we headed for the still waters of Taupō for the open water dives. A change in fortune saw in a beautiful morning, with the previous nights rain all but a memory save for the dusting of snow covering the surrounding hills. The lake was like a mill pond and would provide a fantastic training environment. The team could practice combining the skills taught over the previous days while integrating ascents, all providing a real world context proving the relevance and importance of the training being received.

The pace and intensity of the class always leaves everyone feeling like they have just completed several marathons by the end. The victories, frustrations and realisations that create the learnings are all part and parcel of this vital experience. Was it all worth it ? Absolutely ! 

Taranaki now has its first two GUE divers who are well on their way to achieving their goals. Congratulations to both on your achievement. For Kevin, diving the shipwreck of the Mars is a step closer. For Mat, increasing his skill level and situational awareness is a huge bonus as he enters the world of teaching. Both are now committed to working hard towards gaining a tech pass.

For Taranaki, a new pathway has opened up for local divers to follow in their footsteps. The advice and support that Kevin and Mat can provide will be critical for those wanting to really dive and explore this coastline. I certainly encourage the wider GUE community to help them develop in any way possible.

GUE fundamentals is without doubt the most important course I have ever taken as a diver. It is a privilege as an instructor intern to be able to pass on that knowledge and aid in the foundation of new GUE communities. Many thanks to Jamie Obern for battling the elements to arrive and leave Taranaki and supporting all of our development. Also, Rob Wilson for a mammoth effort to video fresh off the back of passing Tech 1, and Halina for holding the fort at both work and home. You truly reflect the team ethic that GUE is all about.

 

Well I have never worked on a lecture like this before!

In preparation for next weekends part two course, I'm trying to get to grips with Module 4 of the academics. It's often difficult to arrange times with an Instructor Trainer and with your closest one being 3 hours drive away it gives limited contact time available as much as we both may try.

So, Saturday afternoon saw us trial live streaming Q&A and presentation sessions between Auckland and Northland, We spent about an hour and a half looking over structure and I now have the tools I need to start to build quite a sizable chunk of the syllabus.

We only had minor glitches through the session and I reckon this is an awesome way for, not only me, but other potential GUE Instructors or interns to communicate and develop outside of a formal ITC setting - I suppose it's good from the Instructor Trainers point of view as well, as once the intern starts asking stupid questions all he needs to do is close the laptop and claim loss of network coverage in the tropical North. Let's hope I can put something intelligible together for the weekend. 

Not heard from us in a while?

Well its been over a month since my last post and I have to say that it is not down to lethargy, it's because we have been busy!

The month of August saw two GUE Fundamentals courses take place and post course technique sessions to boot.

The first course had current students and members from Auckland University Underwater Club in attendance. This time it was a course of 4 people and interestingly all of them from a science background. This led to a great discussion in lecture 1 about project baseline and its possible areas for development here in NZ. The reality is that there is a host of opportunities to explore here and it's just a case of selecting the right areas to invest our energy. 

The course was structured between the university lecture rooms and the Olympic swimming pool in Auckland. This was the first time we had run it this way and the logistics had not been tried out before so there were some nerves for sure in terms of timings, especially with a full group as if we get side tracked it may impact the later portions of the class. Fundamentals encompasses a great deal of information and training times are busy!

Fortunately the timetabling worked pretty well and with only minor tweaks we got through both days and the required material. As with all things though we met with an obstacle at the end of day two. The guys had performed what they were expected to do but they were not functioning as a team, and really this is the first criteria for assessment - The team comes first, then the skills! Anyone can learn a valve drill or a helicopter turn but the real skill is the awareness you have working with your fellow divers. This is so often lost dive education but if you haven't got the team focus right you wont get through Fundies! 

The decision was taken to get the students back for an assessment session in the week following the course. If they can prove that they can manage themselves in a team formation then this would get them a pass through Part 1. After and hour in the water at the pool I was wondering whether this was going to happen, We were still encountering some of the problems seen previously and the cohesion was not right. Then after a stern surface briefing the lights switched on. I saw the switch in focus and the divers correcting position with back kicks to help keep formation! Every one of them completed the basic 5 without a buoyancy swing of half a meter and without fracturing the team. The skills were not perfect but when there was the possibility of it impacting that first criteria they adjusted and reset. 

We do not expect perfection at the end of part 1, it is so critical however to have that team mind set right. All of the divers should be proud of what they have achieved. It's not easy but its worth it!

Later in the month we engaged in another part 1. This time up in Tutukaka.

A course of two this time - Joe with over a thousand logged dives and Adam, a dive instructor with a technical training background.  

Unfortunately an ill performed Gym routine had left me with a dodgy back so I was trying to be as careful as possible. As with all things of this nature a simple lift of a twinset the night before left me incapable of moving. I was a write off for the in water work and kicking myself as I would lose valuable teaching experience on a real course. There was only one thing for it -to really try and smash the academics. 

This course was looking like it would have some excellent discussions afoot as we had two experienced divers. I had not delivered the full set of lectures yet over the two days so this was to be my challenge. Sure enough the guys had plenty of questions and I logically and honestly answered them as they were given out. This was the first time I was confident in all areas of modules 1 and 2 and as my equipment section drew to a close I had engaged the guys and had a few of those light bulb moments we all remember from doing the course ourselves. 

It was a great couple of days and a big personal achievement for me in this long process through to exam. I am looking forward to the forthcoming technique sessions to help the students get prepped and ready for Part 2 and, post this, excited to be getting stuck into the next part of my instructor development. Massive thanks again to Mel and Jamie at Tech dive NZ for helping me get to grips with the course and to the participants for experience dealing with real teaching situations and hard Q&A.  

Addressing a wider audience

On the 27th of July I met Jamie in town for a a quick catch up. He was speaking to Auckland University Underwater Club (AUUC) that evening. The talk was to be geared around GUE as an organisation and training options within the curriculum as well as reasons to approach more technically focused training.

AUUC is a non-profit, recreational dive club associated with The University of Auckland. The club has been around since 1961so very well established. They are active and regularly organise great trips for their mebmbers at all levels of experience.

We had discussed prior that it would be a great opportunity for me to deliver a second sub talk after the initial presentation where I could explain about my recent exploits over seas in May.

As we arrived in Shadows bar we were met by representatives of the club. Steadily people started to make there way into the area set aside for the talk and soon there was a good crowd waiting for the introduction. The clubs president broke the ice and spoke a little about their up coming SCUBA "lympics" event in Taupo, Then it was over to Jamie who began to go through his power point with all the hall marks of someone who has done a lot of presentations before.  

As the talk went on my nerves began to twitch a little. I am reasonably used to talking to small groups of people in a course environment but I have never spoken in front of an Audience before! I counted almost forty people in attendance from my perch beside the screen and I would be lying if I said I was confident in my abilities to deliver an interesting talk and project backwards of the bars tables to reach those standing at the back! 

All too soon it Jamie closed out his talk and summarized what he had discussed. Then after a short rest break I was on the floor. I thought the best way to start was with a laugh so decided to admit my historical failing of mumbling whilst talking and offered the audience to reprimand me if it occurred. This seemed to go across well and before long I was into the body of my talk which was to explain the side benefits of being trained with GUE.

The first point was that we have an international base of qualified divers. This means that through mail and connections its possible to go wherever you want and dive as though you were with your most familiar buddies. I always use the example of making a Cave 1 dive with Kati who spoke almost no English. Despite a language boundary we traveled a distance of about one kilometer  linear penetration! This is a great example of why standardized training is so important. It can make a massive difference to your diving. All of our divers operate in the same way so you can get stuck in with anyone from anywhere and know what to expect! Less talky more divey is ultimately the goal as far as i'm concerned. 

The second point was that there are projects globally to be involved with. I have been lucky enough to be involved as part of the MCEP science projects on three occasions now as well as one project here in NZ. To dive not only for your personal pleasure but to provide real and useful data whilst doing so has revolutionized my own diving and is something I am now passionate about. I feel it all too common that training is separated from the opportunity to conduct science and citizen science initiatives. 

I closed my discussion with a question? What can we do in NZ? This country has such rich natural wealth and diverse and fragile ecosystems. Imagine what we could accomplish if we started more Project baseline monitoring stations here! 

Its great to talk to people who share a common interest in the underwater world. We had a good Q&A session after and It was great to meet so many new friends. I didn't mumble and got a few laughs along the way so as far as I am concerned it was a success for me. A number of members have signed up to take the Fundamentals class and I am looking forward to spending more time with new blood ready to extend their diving journey into exploration and conservation! 

I would also like to thank Alison Perkins and Michael Batey for supporting photos for the talk. this is another great example of GUE divers sharing resources to accomplish a common goal. I have put a link underneath to an excellent blog that Ali runs so check it out! Thanks also to AUUC for giving us the opportunity to present to the club. Cheers Guys!

http://www.inspiredtodive.com/

A night in the pool

Following our GUE Fundamentals part one course in Northland I have been back in the pool working on skills with students.

Philippe and I joined a pool session courtesy of Global dive to have another investigation into trim, buoyancy and basic skills. over the two hour session we focused heavily on positioning and segmentation of skills in order to build a solid foundation on which to further develop.

Philippe like most keen divers has a great desire to succeed in skilled tasks but the reality is that skills mean nothing kneeling on the ground! you have to perform them whilst holding position and neutrally buoyant. This is the biggest shock of Fundies to most participants, it is uncommon that buoyancy has been looked into further than a 30 second hover in a pool! it is also even less common for there to have been any sort of team awareness and positioning element encountered in basic SCUBA training.

Philippe is a dedicated student and I know he has been practicing when I see the development at each session. It is hard to have such a steep learning curve to grapple with, especially if you are success driven. It gives me great motivation as a potential instructor to invest time in a student when I see them work so hard on their skills. Well done mate! I am sure your dedication will get you to where you want to be in diving, you just have to remember it takes time to develop.

 

learning how to teach AGAIN!

So the weekend just passed saw another part 1 Fundamentals course run again in Tutukaka, The team was comprised of Belen, a well trained and experienced UTD diver, Philippe an enthusiastic PADI advanced diver looking to broaden diving skill set with the intent of starting to explore Technical diving, myself and Jamie.

We met the guys in class at 9am on the Saturday morning and introduced each other. Jamie led the introductions and then gestured to me to start delivering the first module of academics. Right then, I thought, time to put this into practice - all the hours of staring at a Go pro and tripping over my tongue when delivering lectures in an ITC format! This was to be the first time I would deliver GUE content to real life paying Fundamentals students and it was not without its nerves on  the outset.

To my relief as I began to talk WORDS actually came out! Before I knew it I was explaining who we were as an organisation  and how we developed as a group, training methodologies and so on. Jamie assisted when he thought a little more depth was required but on the whole the module went through in the right time with the right material covered. (Happy intern!)

After module 1 we had a quick rest and relief break and I quite happily almost rested on my laurels  

until the realisation came that I was to deliver the first portions of module two also..... Hang on, I have already talked for an hour and done my best to satisfactorily answer questions. You mean I have to deliver another module (most of) for another hour! 

This was to be the value for me this time round. You can deliver as many single lectures as you want and feel confident that they are polished and perfected but it is a whole other animal delivering back to back presentations. These modules are different as well, Its not prescriptive like what I have been used to before! There is an art to making this material work and I am certainly not a master of it yet.

As we went through the two days we mixed theory, field drills and open water sessions. I had the chance to get stuck into all that I was capable of and it was tiring. After two hours in a 13 degree Celsius sea water pool with a leaky dry suit its going to be much harder to deliver a module on dive planning than sitting on your couch rehearsing it with a nice cup of tea. ( N.B. cup of tea was present in both situations!) 

There is a great deal of mental and physical stamina I will have to build up in order to deliver a course for my exam. It has taken me until now to learn this. Everyone said it, just like the lectures but you always think you're the exception and it's all going to go smoothly for you. News flash: you ain't no different from the people who have done this before you, so lose that dive instructor ego and move forward. 

This was a great experience for me and I hope for Belen and Philippe also (students are welcome to comment below should they feel otherwise!). Having actually tackled a real life teaching situation with GUE I am looking forward to the part two section with renewed vigor and fresh goals to aim for. 

Cheers all :)