kitsapdiver wrote:So I usually don't post in threads like this one, and now that the thread has been sucessfully hi-jacked it is probably against my better judgement to address the original question. However, to the OP, becoming an OWI can be very rewarding, and it is an awesome goal. I wish you the best of luck in becoming a qualified and certified instructor.
My opinion on the AOW card is that it's actually not going to be on the "critical path" to becoming an instructor. At a minimum you need 100 dives beyond OW to qualify as an instructor, and I don't know many that got their OWI right at 100. So beside rescue, and dive master you're going to need to do a lot of other diving. Use that time to dive with as many different people as you can.
I know a lot of great divers who have good buoyancy skills, can resolve situations underwater, manage task loading etc. However very few of them have what is truely "demonstration quality" skills (including some certified instructors). That is the level that divers should be aspiring to when the want to become OWI. A class like essentials will help you really figure out what the little things are that change the quality from "very good" to "demonstration quality". You'll work on mastering the skills in the water column as opposed to sitting knees on the bottom, a demonstration that may be required from an OWI.
I also just think it's god to be exposed to as many flavors as you can find. If for no other reason you'll want to be able to serve the people that come into your shop even if they have different ideas about gear configuration, or ideology. I can think of at least one dive shop around here that gives me grief for using a BP/W setup.
I have never taken a class from NWGratefulDiver, but know enough about him as an instructor to say he's been exposed to a number of different diving environments, philosophies, and styles, and can answer any question you may have, and would bring great perspective to diving in the PNW, and what it takes to be a good instructor.
I have taken a class with Brian (as much as I'm sure he wants to forget those trainwrecks), and can say that if you want to see what I mean by demonstration quality, just dive with him one day, and you'll see what I mean. Both him and Jeanna have a very calming sense in the water because they have that demonstration quality mastery of the skills.
Lastly, there are a couple people that can come off on the board as pricks, but are actually great people, and even better divers. Don't write off anybody on the board until you have a good reason. By all mes Dive Dive Dive! And as always I'm up for diving, whenever!
Great response. I can say taking classes is great , but you are limited on actual dive time. I have learned the most from diving with buddies. They typically are not afraid to say " hey your trim sucks", how can I help or " quit swimming with Your hands" , here is a tip. ( both things I was doing) . However , I still did AOW, rescue and now DM. Good Luck!
