our technical diving teaching standards
How do we teach?
We all have to start somewhere and that includes instructors. No one can ever claim to know everything. Here at Big Blue Tech, we use technical diving teaching standards that we have found to be both flexible and successful. We’re lucky enough to have evolved systems over time that can be adapted if new knowledge and techniques come to our attention, or even if a student just comes up with something new that works better.
Everything in order
Academics
Just like with modern life, we like to do as much on-line as possible. It means the instructor can track the student’s progress and assist if needed. It also means we can focus our presentations on subjects that offer the biggest challenges to each student. Students also get access to the materials for life which is much easier than trying to revisit previous courses from books.
We have a fantastic beach location so as much as possible we teach in the open air, but we also have the air-conditioned classrooms you would expect in a tropical environment. Screens and whiteboards, as well as plenty of teaching aids are used and all classes are open to previous students and interns so group discussions about all topics, including technical diving training standards, are encouraged. Once you’re certified those people may well be your new dive team.
The Pool
This is where most of our courses begin. It’s quite literally less than 10 meters from the Big Blue Tech main office! It’s a great environment in which to teach especially with a new configuration like Sidemount or Twinset, allowing time for set-up adjustment and the familiarisation of new skills, with plenty of time for discussions and practice as the session moves on. The initial part of the pool session will also include reintroducing some basics such as buoyancy and propulsion. Some may think they have already mastered these skills and are just interested in new techniques, but many divers need a refresher on basic skills.
Students are welcome to use the pool anytime during their course. For some divers, it’s the pool where they work out the little things that challenge them, allowing the big things to just click into place.
Open Water
It’s tropical and warm, and depending on the course, it’s normally shallow. We start with skills dives followed by deeper dives as we move through the curriculum. The sites around Koh Tao offer varied depths and conditions with granite pinnacles, wrecks, caverns and shallow bay’s. The maximum depth is about 50 metres and visibility can vary during the year.
For new technical divers, the term “Open Water” will soon be replaced by “Overhead” environment or “Soft Overhead” environment. This is the goal and why the training is so intense. Whether you’re diving a wreck or running deco, it doesn’t matter. We don’t let you do it until you’re ready and we’ll be with you every fin kick, gas switch and breath of the way.
Have fun – don’t die
technical diving teaching standards – The Control Line
Welcome to the control line! We didn’t invent it but all of our instructors have trained with it and agree it’s a great training tool. It’s a piece of static line with a few markers on it and the idea is that you perform skills without moving horizontally or vertically on the line. How hard can that be? Truth be told it’s too hard, but it’s also not easy. It leaves no place to hide and it’s not subjective. It allows you to be your own harshest critic. We’ll give you a shoulder to lean on when the line gets the best of you, and we’ll work with you until the line is your friend.
Training Video’s
We definitely didn’t invent these but we use them extensively to help with training, not just for student feedback but to make sure we don’t miss anything. They are an integral component of our technical diving training standards. While we don’t focus on marine life during technical diving courses, it’s always amazing if a whale shark drops in on a deco stop! Students are also welcome to a copy of all the videos.