In our first instructor forum we looks at what we need to consider when getting our students in the pool for the first time.
Prepping the lesson
For their first lesson students are often hitting information overload before they have even got in the water, so its a good idea for the lesson to focus on getting in the water and having some fun rather than focussing on specific skills. To get them into the water you will need to cover the standard pool process (where to go when), fitting mask and fins, possibly putting kit together, putting on and fitting scuba kit, the buddy check, how to get into the water, how to get below the water and how to move around in the water. Spend a good amount of time finding neutral buoyancy and swimming around before you consider starting on the basic 6. Getting out and de-kitting is also new, so consider leaving plenty of time for this at the end of the lesson so you’re not rushing. They will also need direction on washing and putting away the kit. Finally, don’t forget the debrief.
Prepare yourself for the lesson
You want to present your self as well prepared, knowledgable instructor who’s there to have lots of fun taking the student diving. Everything is new for these students so some positive encouragement goes a really long way to making them feel they’re making good progress on their training. Giving clear guidance on where and when the student needs to be somewhere is also really useful when its all new and helps eveything move along efficiently. You need to be a shining example, so make sure you’ve done your own prep and you’re wearing a watch/timer so you are on time and good to go yourself. Have your plan and reserve tasks listed on your slate for quick reference.
Try to gauge how your student is feeling and adapt
An initial chat with your student isn’t just about introducing yourself, it is an opportunity to gauge how your student if feeling. Are they nervous or over confident? What is their water confidence like? Asking questions like have you been diving or snorkelling before? is a useful way to ask this without asking it directly.
For nervous students, slow things down and consider what things you can do for them. Rather than saying go grab some fins from that shelf, try taking them to the shelf and say you’ll need some fins to help you move in the water, they live here so take a pair from the shelf and put them with the rest of your kit for now. Physical contact can make a big difference to a nervous diver, offer a hand and they will often grab it until they feel settled then will let go. If they respond to this keep offering it.
Try questioning over confident students to see if they have retained the information you have just given them. Remember that neurodiversity can make some look like they over confident and not listening, but asking them to repeat back what you have asked can ensure they have understood.
Some students will pick things up very quickly, some will be a lot slower. Be prepared with things you will cover in the lesson if they are quicker than you planned. Repeating tasks builds their confidence completing them, and checks if they have retained them. Practicing hovering, finning and little skills like removing inflator value can fill in some spare time as well as being really valuable to the student.
Should I put the kit together for the student?
Learning how to put kit together is a critical skill and helps to build confidence in the equipment. For the first lesson, it is worth considering putting equipment together for the student. This helps reduce the information overload and speeds everything up.
Don’t forget to update the students record
You might not have checked off many in-water skills but recording info like their confidence level or how well they picked up a buddy check still provides lots if insight for the next instructor taking them in the pool.
Some useful resources
Introduction to Scuba and The Basic 6
