<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMany students struggle in technical diving training because of raised performance standards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recreational scuba training is often experiential in nature and based upon diving within very forgiving safety parameters. Consequently, the performance requirements demanded on recreational courses are not challenging to most divers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They are \u2018everyman\u2019 courses, designed to be achievable by the vast majority of divers. However, little or no significant hurdles exist to certification. There is also very little if any, planned progression in overall diving skill level from one course to another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Why recreational diving training sometimes fails to refine core skills<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn most scuba agencies, recreational diving courses do not progress from one \u2018level\u2019 to another \u2018level\u2019. As such, they are not based on progressive and assessed improvement in diving skills. A diver can drift from one recreational diving course, never actually needing to improve their competency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All too often novice technical divers exhibit flawed foundational scuba skills; <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Buoyancy<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Trim<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Propulsion<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Stability and control<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Situational awareness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Equipment familiarity<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Team diving skills. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Dive planning<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Gas management<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- DSMB deployment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
These critical aspects are rarely developed to higher standards in the recreational diving curricula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At best, deficiencies in these foundational skills dilute the efficiency of technical training through the need to do remedial work. At worst, they stop technical diving students from achieving the standards needed to qualify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s no surprise that many divers emerge from the water on the first dive in shell-shocked disbelief. I had the same experience myself, years ago. Many of my students say initial technical training was one of the biggest challenges of their life. It shouldn\u2019t be if they prepare themselves diligently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are my ten tips to ensure an effective and seamless transition from recreational to technical diving:<\/p>\n\n\n\n