Even as Instructors we need to continually refresh and update our skills.
So Monday finally saw Claire on a flight to Auckland (after several delays and a wind induced flight cancellation the night before)
She headed across town to the Newmarket Pool to catch up with Colin Melrose, PADI’s Instructor Development Manager and a dozen other Staff Instructors and Course Directors from around New Zealand.
The purpose of the pool session was to introduce some new skills for the revised Open Water Course and techniques for running these. We also reviewed our marking criteria for assessing Instructor Candidates. It was a like old times for Claire – diving with her original dive buddy and an ex-student.
The afternoon was spent examining the revised Open Water Course and it’s focus on buoyancy, trim and diver safety. While there are no major changes to the program the revisions have come about after reviewing accident statistics around the world.
It was a great opportunity to catch up with other divers and discuss the issues that affect the dive industry.