IFC Experiences - Ian Gould
Well, this is my second ‘write up ‘ attempt for the BSAC website. My first., a trip report (plug) on Cozumel Mexico 2006, is a real good read!!!!!!. I want to say thank you to Dave (Dudley Dolphins Instructor) and Phil (Regional BSAC Coach) for all their encouragement over the past 18 months, bringing me to the threshold of becoming a dive leader and now an assistant instructor. Phew!!! . Thanks, also to Mike Halligan, BSAC Disability officer, who has been a confidant and mentor over the past year. Finally, to all my buddies, Terry, Dave, Chas, John and little Stu, for there camaraderie, companionship and most significant ‘in water’ confidence, they bring to making our diving safe and enjoyable.
So why the IFC course? Well, it certainly lives up to its reputation.!!!!!, it was also a tangible way of putting something back into my club and, for those who doubted whether someone, with what was considered limited dive experience, I say, that what struck me about the whole weekend, was the focus on safety, planning, preparation, progression and presentation.
How could one become complacent about teaching a skill on which one’s life depends? For me, the IFC was about sharpening my thinking about the importance of SEEDS and encouraging me to want to practice, practice and yes practice. The course gives you a taster of what is to come and for those bold enough, to go on to do the open water instructors exams/training, I believe it lays solid foundations on which to consolidate your own core knowledge and existing diving skills.
Knowing of the way, good instructors have handled me over the past 18 months, particularly, as a disabled diver, I need not have been as anxious about, what I may have perceived as being a lack of skill/level of competence in order to become a trainee instructor. So Ok, I have only done 105 dives of which only 5 have been over 35 meters and I’m afraid my navigation , isn’t the best ,at the best of times. Yet , the course seeks to put you at ease, and yes , they do tell you not to spend hours preparing for your presentation and pool sessions on the Sunday. Yet , you probably do, because that’s precisely why you want to do the course in the first place. To learn how to teach others safety, effectively and progressively.
The reason why it is such a good course is that the assessment is ongoing and there really is no exam to pass. Does it make you a competent instructor ? Far from it!!!!!!, what it gives you is a baseline, a real sense of responsibility and purpose, and an awareness , of a start of a journey which will hopefully allow you to impart your knowledge and skills, albeit, under the supervision of an Open Water Instructor and this really does feel good. They - the Instructors, have all been there and I do believe the IFC I is a good place to start.
Certainly, I was inspired by the fact that our instructors were all highly competent, skilled and, dare I say learned/knowledgeable divers. Yet, the atmosphere they generated, was one where mistakes could be made, no questions were considered foolish or daft and they were able to create a positive learning environment, in which, even in such a short space of time, skill development undoubtedly took place. Indeed, it was a joy to see others succeed and this, as I have learnt from Dave, my own instructor, is what inspires you to do even better. Even down, to the new IFC course trainers (Worcester weekend) who themselves, acted as positive role models for those around them. Well done.
Having read the other article about the structure and content of the course, I feel, I need say little more. Certainly, because, so much, of the course is a highly organized, repetitive, step by step learning approach.. Both theory, presentation and pool session are carried out in small groups three/four in each group. Each skill is taught and progressively taught throughout the two days.
You almost ingest the information and knowledge and even in my first opportunity to take a trainee ( post course) through mask clearing, you certainly recall steps around safety, a need for the trainee to feel OK and comfortable and that of taking progressives steps and then to experience the sense of joy and achievement, as the trainee gleams with there underwater successes. Indeed the hand clap is a true sign of their underwater success and don’t forget the debrief afterwards.
I was particularly taken by the different and exciting styles of presentations and all the information (disc/instructors manual) you get post course about how to continue to develop your instructor skills. Certainly , the last lecture was by far the best and everybody ‘s appreciation of the work and effort was poignantly marked by our clapping and the BOSS’s recognition that it was one of the best lectures he had observed. That was a nice move, a spontaneous gesture, what encouragement and positive role modeling.
The pool session was quite daunting, having only just purchased a shorty, and yes your’ve guessed it
not ensuring, that I was neutrally buoyant in the water. When it came to the backward role, twice, I ended up on my side. Yet, the feedback wasn’t negative, it just encouraged the whole group to think about the importance of buoyancy control and breathing. Although, I must admit to being a little in awe of Steve, (instructor.) with his gracious and effortless demonstration. Still, I’m determined to practice before I start to demonstrate the skill myself. Indeed, the IFC is about encouraging you to perfect your skills. Certainly messages such as safety, 3 P’s, Step by step, S.T.E.P, P.A.V.E and R.E.A.P are still ringing in my ears a week later and If you want to known what these stand for, you will have to get your names down for the next course near you.
Ok, so I didn’t get to go for the evening meal and so sorry, to the regional coach Phil, because he went specially, to say hi, but, I had already left to go home to prepare for the lecture the following day.
For all those out there, who do not feel, they are either good enough or are indeed are being held back by other’s, well, I would commend this course to you. If you are a sports diver and have an
Instructor, who you trust, and who has the confidence in you to do the course then go for it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Because, having become a sports diver and hopefully wanting to learn more, this course will give you the inspiration and encouragement to go on to develop your skills, and even if you don’t become open water instructor, it will at least, allow you to give something back to your local club, either in the pool and/or jointly with other instructors in the classroom and open water. Most important ,you get to experience the joy observed in others, as they achieve the dive skills required to be safe and significantly enjoy their diving.
Well done BSAC and again a big thank you to all those instructors involved If any of the Worcester group get to read this please say hi.
Particularly Jeremy, Steve and Rajeev my BSAC Buddy Assistant Instructor Divers
Take Care
Ian Gould
Dudley Dolphins
Page last modified: 13th May 2008 - 15:56:24