Donnington, Telford and Dosthill

This course is the final step in becoming a full instructor, allowed to teach trainees in the pool, inland water or the open sea. With it comes a lot of responsibility, those that qualify are, quite literally taking peoples lives into their hands.

My expectation of the assessment day was that it would be tough, really tough, and that I would be watched and assessed closely throughout the day. I was disappointed!

The day started well enough, albeit slightly late due to one or two not being able to arrive at the appointed hour - surely a bad sign?

Our first task was a Buhlmann table question. Three dives to plan with a backup. Ten minutes were allowed. That complete, it was into two lectures back to back, which went at lightening speed; The role of the Instructor, followed by the latest CPR protocols. Twenty hurried minutes each, followed by the main theory exam. 45 minutes answering 25 questions, some about diving in general, some about being an instructor. Some of the students had finished before I was even half way through and I thought I was doing quite well; maybe I was writing too much?

Following the exam, was the CPR/First Aid drill, but given that there were only two Rescusi-Annies and fourteen students, it took a while, but was pretty straightforward.

That completed, it was back to the lecture room for the two final lectures; Dealing with stress and The instructor as examiner. Both were delivered at speed.

This morning session was completed by 12:20 and after a 15 minute summary, we were off for the 50 minute drive to Dosthill for the practical.

Soon enough I was kitting up in the car park and went in search of others - no-one! Time went by and people started to arrive. I finally located my instructor/assessor and my buddy for the afternoon. Eventually we got started with my drill, which was a buddy line dive. It went well and we were out in fifteen minutes. I notified the DM (Steve) both before and after - seemingly I was in the minority! A short interval and it was my turn to be the trainee. This time it was mask clearing - my 'instructor' decided that I would do the drill and he would watch! - What a cop out! We dropped onto the 3m shelf and I did as I was told and up we came. Quite how my 'instructor' could have been assessed on this exercise is beyond me!

Finally we did a rescue tow and de-kit. Some of the students called for Help for real - causing some consternation amongst the site staff - not surprisingly. Others failed to shout at all - the opposite problem. One or two called 'drill' or 'pizza'. My guy was one of the quiet majority. At the shore he failed to provide AV properly, the 'passer-by' doing a lot of the work of dekitting which I thought was wrong - the same thing happened on my drill which I was annoyed about, especially when he tried to remove the jacket before I was ready!

Practicals over, we changed and headed for the pub for a de-brief which never really happened. My allotted instructor finally coming up to me, shaking my hand and saying 'well done'. Well done for what said I? You've passed the course! Oh, thanks.

Most of the students passed the course. There were one or two fails. I was shocked at the level at which passes were given and the superficial manner in which we were assessed. I am confident of my skills and abilities because I have been taught by some of the best instructors and divers in the business, but I could have passed this course on much less. I am now qualified to take complete beginners diving, but not because I did this course.