I tried to figure out what she had learned for diving and the reason that she was lack of confidence when she arrived. She did not remember her training well. Since she was not sure what training had been done, I attempted to run through all the essential skills within two training dives. She was worried when she knew one of the skills was to take off her mask underwater and then put the mask back.
I recalled what Eric had said, 'if a student does not dare to a skill, you have two choices. Either you insist the student must complete the skill, so the student may chock on water and bolt to surface. Or, you can postpone the skill to the following training dives, so the student has fun for diving and complete the skill later.' So, I told the student to try but she did not need to take off her mask in the first training dive.
I hoped to complete as many skills as possible in the first training dive, but it took the student 5 minutes to descend for 10 meters. That was not only wasting too much time, but also made me worried if she would be stressed later when practicing the skills. I had her started with the easiest skill that her mask was only partially flooded. Whenever she completed a skill, I clapped my hands to cheer her up. I was growing confidence for her performance, so I signed her to take off her mask. She hesitated for a few second. Then, she shook her head.
I had no choice but skipped the mask removal skill. When we got back to the boat and prepared for the next dive, I mentioned the mask removal skill again.
'Can I close my eyes?' she asked.
'It doesn't matter. As long as you can put your mask back.' I replied. She wouldn't be able to see anything even she opened her eyes underwater. Everything would be blurred without a mask. The point was she must not panic and chock on water.
We spent 5 minutes for descending again for the second dive. I signed her to take off her mask. She did not shake her head but was still hesitating. I couldn't keep her hesitated til give up. I signed again with my eyes closed. Also, I raised my hands high and then grub her shoulder straps to keep her safe. She took a deep breath and took off her mask with eyes closed. Then, she put her mask back. Mask strap was not twisted nor tangled with hair. Her movement was clam and steady, not in a hurry. Then, she cleared the water inside her mask by blowing her nose. Well done.
I put my hands up and we high five for her accomplishment. We both smiled and almost laughed underwater. She grew self-confidence after this skill. After the two training dives, she was not only certified, but also confident to go diving with other certified divers.
Training was not simply following the skills on teaching guidelines. Training could be adjusted according to student's conditions. It was supposed to be fun. After all, as I always say to customers, 'Scuba diving is a recreational activity, not an extreme sport.'
