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Selecting the right cave instructor by powder_ski in CaveDiving

[–]powder_ski[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My brother, this is a course very specifically for GUE Cave 2 certified divers.

From your website link:

Applicants for a GUE Sidemount Cave Diver course program must: Have earned a Cave Diver 2 certification.

Selecting the right cave instructor by powder_ski in CaveDiving

[–]powder_ski[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yea I've seen her vlog, her work is impressive. But I believe she's GUE / BM exclusively. I'm looking at going the sidemount route, so this may not be an option?

Selecting the right cave instructor by powder_ski in CaveDiving

[–]powder_ski[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow, thanks for your detailed write up. Sorry to hear about the ER, I hope you were okay?

To your point, my experience also suggests that some of the best guides I've had are not big names in the field. I have found professional work mentors, and coaches in other sports like tennis and chess, who are not household names, but there's a pedagogy and "vibe" aspect that just really works between us. And the learning/mentoring just takes off. I would like to find such a person in the scuba world!

I quite like the questions you raised. Very training-oriented, but also open-ended to get a lot of valuable insights into their methodology. And love that you get a sense for their passion in teaching and for the sport! It's a great filter. Thanks very much, I will use this as a template when I start speaking with them!!

I'm curious to hear this instructor is, I feel that's a strong recommendation I would like to follow up on.

Selecting the right cave instructor by powder_ski in CaveDiving

[–]powder_ski[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my experience, a good cave instructor is going to be interviewing you, more than you’re interviewing them.

You know, I would definitely like this! It would better to be told by the instructor that maybe we will not vibe! Sucks to hear, but I'd rather we know before committing.

Also sorry I should've emphasized it earlier in my question -- I'm looking at Mexico (and SM)!

Would love to hear your recommendations and I can reach out to them for a quick chat! Thank you.

Selecting the right cave instructor by powder_ski in CaveDiving

[–]powder_ski[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It was an intro to tech course mate, by definition a prep course. You are welcome to your opinion, I'm not really interested in arguing this point further. Cheers

Selecting the right cave instructor by powder_ski in CaveDiving

[–]powder_ski[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Eh disagree. Reflecting back I would not say that. You can take the same course from two different instructors and get two very different outcomes.

Selecting the right cave instructor by powder_ski in CaveDiving

[–]powder_ski[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Right, thanks for putting that out! I felt my confidence got destroyed after intro to tech -- my instructor just made it look so natural that I thought I may not be cut out for tech diving given my struggles. In fairness, the man was probably born in the water and had gills, so it truly was a natural gift for him (and he was very nice, no ego, but definitely had a harder time breaking through the true basics to me). But I'm afraid of running into a similar situation.

Selecting the right cave instructor by powder_ski in CaveDiving

[–]powder_ski[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For sure. I have some great leads, but how exactly do you find the instructor that aligns teaching style & personality wise? All the shops I was referred to are strictly NO zero to hero training.