Theory Instructors Exam - Help

[Jon Hunt]

I have my TIE in a couple of weeks with a lesson topic of "No Clear Surface". Doing some research under wreck and cavern penetration and came across reference to "Shadow finning" in the wreck appreciation course notes. Now, to be honest I've not got a scooby, I've done some shadow boxing in the past but was hoping to keep violence out of any lesson plan.

Could anyone shine some light on the topic for me please?

Any other pointers would be appreciated to

Many thanks.

Jon

[PeteM]

I have my TIE in a couple of weeks with a lesson topic of "No Clear Surface". Doing some research under wreck and cavern penetration and came across reference to "Shadow finning" in the wreck appreciation course notes. Now, to be honest I've not got a scooby, I've done some shadow boxing in the past but was hoping to keep violence out of any lesson plan.

Could anyone shine some light on the topic for me please?

Any other pointers would be appreciated to

Many thanks.

Jon

No idea on Shadow Fining, (possibly the same as frog kick) but one thing to remember to include is that every compulsory deco dive is a no clear surface dive.

[TerryH]

Shadow finning is where you put a static fin directly underneath the moving
one so it stops the downwards water movement.

It's almost like creating a shield, not much power but enough to move along
without messing up the silt.

Prefer a slow frog myself, but it's another technique if you dont like that.

[Jon Hunt]

Cheers Pete,

With only 10 minutes for the lesson I am looking to concentrate on a specific aspect, i.e hazards associated with a real ceiling, virtual will get a mention in the preamble but time doesn't allow me to cover all points.

It's still a work in progress at this time and things might get thrown on it's head before I get to the final lesson plan.

Much appreciated though.

Jon

[Jon Hunt]

Shadow finning is where you put a static fin directly underneath the moving
one so it stops the downwards water movement.

It's almost like creating a shield, not much power but enough to move along
without messing up the silt.

Prefer a slow frog myself, but it's another technique if you dont like that.

Terry,

Thanks for this, sounds a little ungainly, think I'll stick to good old froggies myself but at least i can mention it.

Jon

[Ed Howarth]

Hi Jon

You can talk about any part of your subject, that's why the title is fairly open, but be careful you don't wander outside it. Yes, you need to know about finning techniques when the viz can be stirred up, but I would suggest that this is one step too far away from talking about No Clear Surface Diving.

Why not concentrate on (a) describing what dives can be classed as No Clear Surface, (b) what are the risks and (c) what precautions should you take.

You can then do a bit of hands on stuff with the extra equipment you would take on such a dive.

There you are ...... Done it for you. :D

If you have a choice, (and you do) do too little in the time available, rather than too much!

Ed
(Instructor trainer)

[Jon Hunt]

Thanks Ed,

That's pretty much the line that I was going down, saw Shadow Finning and wanted to find out more.

Dealing with Hazard --> Equipment / Precaution is getting lengthy at the moment, want to get all the info then trim it back to the must know and a little additional info.

Jon

[Ed Howarth]

Thanks Ed,

Dealing with Hazard --> Equipment / Precaution is getting lengthy at the moment, want to get all the info then trim it back to the must know and a little additional info.

Jon

Yus, that's the way to do it. Two of the best sentences you can use are "Last week we talked about xxxxx" and "That's all I'm going to cover today. Next week we will talk about zzzz". You decide on the bit in between, but don't forget to use the Instructor Handbook as your first reference for "must know" information.

Ed

[MattS]

Remember that the purpose of the exam is to assess your ability to teach rather than any expansive knowledge of diving you might have. You have a very limited time in which to show off your presentation planning and delivery abilities. When I took the exam I decided to, teach one thing, well.. So I selected one small aspect of the subject matter I felt I could talk about confidently and covered the staples of introduction, detail, conclusion, summary that I had been taught on the IFC.

A great tip for planning presentations is to record yourself during a practice run and play it back, paying attention to the pace and any hesitations.

The very best of luck.

[TerryH]

You can talk about any part of your subject, that's why the title is fairly open, but be careful you don't wander outside it. Yes, you need to know about finning techniques when the viz can be stirred up, but I would suggest that this is one step too far away from talking about No Clear Surface Diving.


This is good advice.

You'll keep hearing that you have limited time and cant teach the whole
subject, but it's all too easy to move into a sub-catagory.

So starting off with no-clear surface, then spending 10 minutes on finning
technique, even if its refferred back to the topic is too much of a deviation.

[Jon Hunt]

Great advice from everyone, thank you all so much.

In the words of another grubby little man "I have a cunning plan".

What ever happens I've learnt a great deal from the process.

Again in the finest traditions of BSAC, thank you all for you valuable time.

Jon
;)

[PeteM]

A great tip for planning presentations is to record yourself during a practice run and play it back, paying attention to the pace and any hesitations.

And do it in front of a couple of experienced instructors from your branch to get feed back

[Jon Hunt]

Just heard that I passed the TIE, haven't had feed back yet but seem to have fudged my way through it. Didn't realise just how the nerves would get on top of me, was a jibbering mess for at least half of it.

Thanks to all those involved in running the London event and hope to see you again soon on the OWIC and PIE.

Cheers

Jon:)

[TerryH]

Just heard that I passed the TIE, haven't had feed back yet but seem to have fudged my way through it. Didn't realise just how the nerves would get on top of me, was a jibbering mess for at least half of it.

Thanks to all those involved in running the London event and hope to see you again soon on the OWIC and PIE.

Cheers

Jon:)

Mike from my club was on it as well and yes he also passed, so well done to
the both of you :D

[Gordon]

Congrats :)

[Janos]

It's a small world :)

Nerves get to the best of us. I do a lot of presentations at work, but there's something about being examined that beings out the nerves in me too.

Janos