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Arrogance and Ego’s.

The diving fraternity appears to be littered with small minded people with huge ego’s and totally arrant. Why?

It is with some, not all, divers get to Dive Master or Instructor and they know it all. God’s gift to scuba diving.

Look around the diving lakes, you will see some example of it. At Divecrew we are the UK’s only Gold Star Dive Centre awarded for our work and commitment to Adaptive Teaching. Almost 12 years dedication to Deptherapy.

Divecrew prides itself on working with all divers in a respectful manner putting the client at centre focus. We see some horrendous attitudes.  Here is a few examples:-

Bi lateral amputee, above and below the knee becomes a Dive Master. Instructor comments on face book stating a breach of standards as the guy cannot do a Giant Stride.

Triple amputee learning to scuba dive, Instructor states, ‘I appreciate your situation’. No you don’t not when you are not a triple amputee and have all your limbs.

Three ocean diver students are in the water. Instructor sat on the back of his car with no kit on, shouting across the car park, at the three students to do a weight check.

A nervous open water student, is hesitating at attempting a giant stride entry into deep water. The instructor pushed the student into the water from behind. Needless to say the student was very upset.

Remember instructors know BEST.

Sometimes professionals actually forget what is was like when they first got into the water. It is all alien, it is challenging, certainly in the UK with dry suits, cold water and poor viz. Your student is a paying client and needs to be respected as a client but also for any adaptive needs.

Divecrew are specialists at Adaptive Teaching. Our pro’s are monitored and assessed. Any issue with a course is fully investigated with the pro team. Why? Because we want ever improving standards, we want divers to be comfortable and safe. We want our pro team being customer focused. We want our pro team to adapt to the needs of individual students.

If you want to know more about our Adaptive Teaching contact Divecrew on 01344 771113

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Gold Star?

So what is this Gold Star? Divecrew is the UK’s only Gold Star Dive Centre. This was awarded to Divecrew for the work they do in Adaptive Teaching. Divecrew works with veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq that have suffered life changing injuries. PTSD, missing limbs, broken back etc. Using scuba diving as a means of helping rehabilitate, adaptive is about finding ways to certify divers regardless of their physical or mental challenge. Previously PADI, now RAID, different techniques are used to ensure the diver meets all the requirements.

Divecrew Master Instructor Martin has worked with a number of triple amputees and was the instructor using adaptive teaching to certify the worlds first PADI Rescue Diver – triple amputee.

Divecrew have taken years of adaptive teaching experience and also used these skills in the local community. A pilot study of seven Autistic young adults took place despite lots of ‘they cannot do that’ and the usual risk management and health and safety.  Out of the seven students six passed their full open water completing their deep dives right here in the UK.

Divecrew have taught partially sighted, profoundly deaf, MS sufferers, non weight bearing, paraplegic and students with learning challenges.

Martin said, ‘Never under estimate these challenged divers. Instructors do not know best, ask the diver how they think they can achieve mastery of a skill. I worked with one guy who had a through the shoulder amputation. He was strong as an ox. He could tie his shoe laces and his tie one handed. Above all, think outside the box! Most of our pro team are adaptive. Our senior instructors are very experienced in working with challenged divers. It is not some tick box exercise. Our training and techniques makes any instructor much better. This is not about some role play tick in the box’.

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