3 Non-Agency Courses Every Diver Should Take

[@wildsurfer12]

Divewise Malta are now offering the Human Factors In Diving course in a package alongside their Rescue Diver and Oxygen Provider specialty course James. Costs about £600 but it’s 3 courses in 1!

[@Chogogo717]

Honestly I feel like reading Deco for Divers, Technical Diving, and Under Pressure has helped me to be a much better diver weather that is rec or tec. I recently went through Rescue Diver, and my local dive shop decided to add Garreth’s Essentials if Human Factors in Diving as a mandatory part of their course. I had already listened to the book on Audible probably 5 times, so it was a great addition to go though the online module. Thanks for getting us a discount. I’ll be sure to check out his video course.

[@bradallen5571]

I wonder if you might be training with Scuba Adventures out of Plano, Texas?

[@pretaxfrog4]

not a scuba diving instructor, but I'd also add a swim teaching course of some description. The number of new divers I've corrected by just telling them something I tell my 3-year-old swim students is astonishing. a good course is also helpful for understanding water dynamics, teaching all age groups, and being water safe.

[@Foxtrap731]

I get basic water competency, like not freaking out underwater, or being comfortable being wet, but swimming and diving aren’t related by anything other than the environment. In swimming you bob for breaths and use your body for propulsion, versus breathing underwater and using fins. Diving doesn’t use hands, swimming does. I just don’t think that learning to swim is relevant to diving. Being comfortable in the water is essential, tho. And people comfortable in the water ten to know how to swim.

[@Foxtrap731]

@UCyNUKWahokLnxLsJb-xG1Lw most of that stuff is covered in dive courses. If you found a diver that can’t do flutter kicks they shouldn’t be diving, unless there was a medical issue. A swimming class won’t change that, as they demonstrated proficiency with flutter kicks in the dive course. If they forgot, then it’s on them to relearn it. Ive seen paralyzed divers use their arms, but it’s rare. The level of swimming required is covered in the OW course. Higher levels of certification require higher levels of swimming proficiency. No separate course is needed for swimming.

[@stephendoherty8291]

Should instructors not be telling students in advance they need to improve their swimming ability before they can join. Instructors spend ages teaching buoyancy

[@Foxtrap731]

@@stephendoherty8291 basic swim competency is enough. I find excellent swimmers initially make poor ow divers because they want to use their hands. They have to retrain themselves. Some can do it. Some don’t,

[@Sebastian-mh8jx]

for like 99% of scuba diving the standard of swimming the average instructor knows is good enugh. however that remaining 1% is if you have to pull someone unconscious to the nearest shore or boat. In one of my courses a 60kg female had to pull me a 100kg male for 100m and the instructor couldn't keep up. and that was not because the instructor was unfit or anything, it was just because he never learnd how to properly engage his core muscles to swim so he just swims with his leg muscles.

[@timgosling6189]

Great shout-out for Gareth's book and course. Highly practical and you will definitely recognise the types of situations he covers. One of my favorite quotes Gareth uses predates scuba by decades but could have been written precisely for it: “The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” Remember that when your next student gives you a thumbs up!

[@depths_and_discipline]

James, thank you for all the great videos you have on here. I've been following your channel for some time and I really appreciate all the tips and lessons learned on your channel. I'm currently working on Rescue Diver and will be capturing both Master Scuba and Divemaster afterwards. Getting into the Professional Diving Industry is a great option I have, among others after I retire from my military career in the next three years so I'm getting a head start. These three classes you recommended are actually really good and I just completed the Risk Management for Diving Professionals bought from your channel and will be pursuing the other two. I'm always passionate about learning more so the material you recommended just now is great and I endorse them as well ... anyone can partake, regardless of your current certification. Thanks James!

[@Raybrienza]

WOW!!!! James you hit it out of the park, again. I have been teaching for 37+ years. and you are absolutely correct. Instructors of all agencies need to look out side of their agencies for Con Ed. The 3 course you mention are fantastic (I have taken 2, will take the 3rd soon). I would also add Tec's weekly podcast to the list. Since I'm in Denver, Colorado (landlocked) I am a Realtor for my day job. I make it a point to learn from other business/industries to better my self and my teaching abilities. It makes you better rounded -- You can not always drink the same kool-aid. Hell, take a class that you have no interest in teaching (for me Cave - I like tech but not cave Been there done that) gives you a different perspective. When I teach diving, I also have my assistant/co-instructor run me through skills in front of students. I do this for a couple of reasons 1) it keeps my skills sharp 2) I like to see things from the student's perspective 3) it shows my students and my professional level students that you should continue to practice skills. (I had a couple of students that started diving at 70-75 years old that would come into the pool once a month even-thou they went on one trip per year. Solely to practice their skills. They did this until they were in the mid-late 90's (one lived to 98 the other 103). they were always improving their skills.

[@stevenwallenda8698]

Love it James! Finished Tec Clark's Risk Management For Dive Professionals recently. Frustrating reality, but so good to know!

[@patjacq9580]

Hi James. Couldn't agree more! In Québec, Canada, to be a scuba instructor you have to do the continued learning programs every year by assisting to the desegnated seminars and lectures. It's the law! In that program we have each year, Dr Neal Pollock, wold renown diving physiologie rechercher. The man is a gold mine of knowledge in that field. You can catch some of is lectures on KZbin. And I will surely go see the online learning you suggested too. 👌

[@BAMFSQUAD]

I’m totally with you bro. I’m definitely gonna get with @matthias when I can to level up my underwater filming

[@Civleyz]

Do you have any 'must read' books? I just finished Shadow Divers and enjoyed every bit of it.

[@vikingkermit]

Just bought under pressure on audible. Hoping it will have benefit for me as a recreational diver.

[@thehumandiver863]

How did you get on @Vikingkermit? Anything needs expanding for you? Anything I've missed for you?

[@enriquevia-reque6522]

Having recently taken the Gareth Lock human factors course I can honestly tell you it is priceless!!! Love your content!! Keep It coming!!

[@DiversReady]

Thank you! Will do!

[@thatoneguy7047]

Good stuff. I just started reading Lock's book. I'll be looking into the other dude as well. As someone who holds a professional license in an unrelated field to diving, continuing education is an absolute must. You don't want to be that one instructor teaching from outdated practices or who's scope of training is narrow and limited. You wouldn't go to a surgeon that's still using outdated 1950's practices.

[@DiversReady]

Thanks for sharing!

[@TransgenderTalkTime]

James, this is one that speaks to me for sure. I constantly strive to continue to learn. As an instructor I know that it can be difficult looking for the next course to aide in my development. Thank you for the insight. I will take the advise given here. Thank you!

[@emmylee8862]

Thanks for the discount for Matthias course. Gareth´s book and interviews/podcasts/courses are mind opening and skyrocketed my personal development, not only diving but in real life also, highly recommend!

[@thehumandiver863]

Thanks. The podcast is up to 130+ episodes now.

[@richadcock70]

James, as always, another great video and information. I actually got the invite from Tec to take his risk management course and will be signing up soon!

[@DiversReady]

Thanks for sharing!

[@JoshuaDircks]

Great video. Have been pondering the first two. Took the Matthias course when it was first out and put it to use weekly. Money well spent.

[@DiversReady]

Glad it was helpful! Dive safe.

[@petewitherspoon943]

Just completed the Risk course. Very simple and quick and would agree with James that this is vital for not just dive pro's but all divers.

[@jamesaurich501]

thank you for another great video and such a great topic. you are correct in most agencies do not teach any of these things. most instructors do not realize just how important these things are. Thanks again and hopefully I will see you at DEMA and thank you in person.

[@DiversReady]

You are so welcome!

[@melissamandrup4852]

Thanks for this! These are some non-agency resources I've been wondering about to elevate my diving abilities. Totally perfect!

[@DiversReady]

You're so welcome!

[@vtonthestage]

Just started my essential of human factors in diving, it's an amazing course and highly recommended to dive masters or instructors! Thank you so much James for recommending, great video!

[@DiversReady]

Thanks for sharing!

[@thehumandiver863]

Thanks for this @vtonthestage - what is your key takeaway? Above and beyond what James has said, anything you'd add to encourage people to take it?

[@bradallen5571]

The shop I train with back home is now including the Human Factors training with the Rescue Diver course. I thought that was outstanding. Edit: Bought the Human Factors in Diving course. Very excited to get started on it. Thanks James

[@DiversReady]

Thanks for sharing!

[@thehumandiver863]

Thanks Brad. I hope you enjoyed it. What was your key takeaway?

[@MrCybernick]

You must know about the SCCS ...Common Sense Speciality Course.. available to all, but not all will be able to PASS.. . ..

[@thehumandiver863]

Was the spelling mistake intentional MrCybernick? :) Common sense is an easy attribution to an event or situation which you've encountered and likely know the outcome. That's why it isn't able to be passed by everyone. Essentials covers this topic nicely under decision-making and the biases that prevent us from learning.

[@Jailhouse_Chris]

Did Garath Lock manage to get in touch with you about the Face to Face courses in Texas? I was hoping you could make one.

[@NewHorizon39]

Always great content sir. Thank you

[@DiversReady]

So nice of you

[@zach7j]

Whooo Dive Rite 🔥🔥 I will definitely be looking into that videography course. Thanks for the info.

[@DiversReady]

Any time! Dive safe!

[@csmith1453]

James, I will be taking all three of these suggestions. Thanks. This is the kind of thing I come here for. As for Diverite, I had a CK2 torch die on me (lens split at 100ft) after only 40 dives, so I doubt I'll buy their stuff again.

[@zaphod9977]

Did you contact them? Maybe it was a manufacturing issue and they will make it right?

[@duncan2565]

Thank you for this great advice!

[@DiversReady]

You are so welcome!

[@charlieLiu-my9cw]

Am I missing something? at 6:07 of this video, what do you mean by: "the section on reporting standard violation alone will be a massive eye opener" ? That section is just 1min and 30sec, and just common sense.

[@reyneva]

Great list James, thank you as always!

[@nyax129]

Hey James. I have been diving for 10 years now and consumed every ounce of info on KZbin made in that time. I know it's not your thing but but in all that time I have not seen one person mention comercial diving. I think most divers don't think about that option or even know what it means. I know it's not your thing but maybe a video lightly talking about that as a option? I went up the padi ladder to my tec diving before jumping into the commercial world. For divers that want to make the jump and make big money, there is no better option!

[@Losark1]

Hey James. I'm looking at Dive Rite's Advanced Open Water reg packages. I'm curious what your thoughts are on them. The wrinkle is that I'm up in Seattle, WA so most of my dives are likely to be cold. Do you think I'll be happy with the dive rite sets, or should I splurge for the XTX50 setup? For what it's worth, this will be my first purchased regulator set, I'm very new, but I'm also not interested in buying for the short term. Thanks in advance for your time.

[@richardtaylor400]

As a vocational educator in Australia. I have to prove each year i have completed Professional education and used my skills in the work place. The dive agency’s there is no requirements. There is no regulation to controlling DMs/instructors. I feel there is a need for a DM/ instrutor body to represent us at National and international level. Throughs ?

[@__-oq8gz]

One thing the Tuvell case taught us dive pros is NEVER speak to your agency in the case of an accident. Only speak to your attorney.

[@__-oq8gz]

@S. C. It is the actions by PADI. They settled out of court with the plaintiff and turned over all documentation from the instructor to the plaintiffs. There is no client-attorney privilege between agencies and instructors. Instructors are not even an agent for an agency (see Omissions's comment on the Linnea Mills case on scubaboard). Never ever speak to the agency. Only speak to an attorney.

[@dios.havanaclub7000]

Thank you, James. I was already thinking about taking some learning from Mathias, so this video just increased my willingness. It also created awareness about Human Factores so I surely will go through it. I can not say the same about Tec Clarke's course cause I am not a professional diver and have no intention to be. And besides here in Spain de don't have the same culture about litigation as you have in USA. Apart from this all, what do you think about making a video about the GUE way of diving and your thoughts about it.

[@DiversReady]

Thanks for sharing!

[@apetogetherstrong6600]

I am not professional and i only dive seldomly (going for AOW now). Should i still learn those thing for fun (and safe dive ofc)?

[@MegaEpicLlama]

Gareth's course on Human Factors is amazing. Even though it's focused on diving, it is a great introduction to human decision making, so it's applicable to any activity that has some kind of risk.

[@thehumandiver863]

@@MegaEpicLlama thank you! Yes, it is all about learning in life.

[@alexandrex3252]

I would added BLS-D & Oxygen First Aid

[@kurttidd8922]

If not part of a rescue course, they are almost always pre-requisites for any Scuba Professional program - Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, Instructor, etc.

[@Cthippo1]

Those are agency offered courses and hence outside the scope of this video

[@WeiseGuy91]

Not a DAN course? That’s my recommendation

[@josephdracula7487]

👍

[@dclangst]

DFA Pro Instructor.

[@nemodivebahiabrasil1468]

Hi James what's your view on unfit overweight instructors?

[@stephendoherty8291]

Yet pilots won't survive if they cannot make decisions under pressure

[@thehumandiver863]

Agreed. Which is why aircrew have mandatory programmes concerning human factors and crew resource management (also known as non-technical skills). My interest in this topic started when I was aircrew in the Royal Air Force.