PADI Divemasters and PADI Instructors can learn a lot from the positive coaching techniques that are taught on the EFR Instructor course. I have used these same skills over the years to successfully teach Scuba Diving.
The EFR Instructor course is a fantastic course to teach. It is designed to teach First Aid in a manner that will give people the confidence to care. So that when someone collapses in the street, First Aiders will instantly approach and give help without hesitation.
All too often in the past, First Aid instructors have “tutted” and shaken their heads while their students have made mistakes on their first attempts to give CPR to a Mannequin
In fact not that long ago, when Mannequins had lights and alarms on them, the Mannequin itself was also letting the Student know that they weren’t doing very well! This all resulted in people taking one step backwards when confronted by a casualty, because they “knew” that they were not capable of offering First Aid.
Ironically, the people who did step forward were people who had NOT attended a First Aid course, but had watched TV programs where they saw that all you needed to do was blow and push somewhere, and the victim came bouncing back to life!
It’s important to have fun while learning
Something needed to be done! The First Aid world pulled together and changed the way that First Aid skills were taught.
The modern instructors always give praise, always telling people they have done well, even when they are obviously getting things a bit muddled.
But….and here comes the magic! EFR Instructor courses show instructors how they can improve people without ever letting the student know that they were doing it wrong in the first place. Without ever letting them know that there was a better way of doing things!
The techniques are truly remarkable and effective. The EFR Instructor manual shows a couple of ways to conduct these “Positive Coaching” tips.
Over many years of teaching, I have discovered another couple of very powerful techniques designed to improve students, even though all I ever say to them is
“Well done, you’re doing great!”
These same techniques have been invaluable to me as an instructor over the years. I have always shown them to my Divemasters so that they can always help students improve in a very fun and positive manner.
Learning by having fun.
All learning has to be fun, All learning has to be stress free. Our EFR Instructor courses show people just how much fun teaching can be, and also shows how to adapt the teaching to Scuba Diving. PADI Divemasters and PADI Instructors can learn more than First Aid from an EFR Instructor course. It’s a great way to learn some of the techniques that are taught on our PADI Instructor Development Courses.