The Great Dive Podcast

Episode 215 - This Episode Is Not About Harassment Training

5/7/2021

In this week's episode the boys begin with a magazine article from "the good ol' days" discussing the ancient practice of "harassment training". This holdover from the military diving programs that naturally became part of the civilian training programs in the early days of SCUBA training has, for all intents and purposes, been eradicated from modern training. But, was there a benefit from it? It doesn't really matter anyway because the topic goes off track and the boys get deep into the subject of Mastery and what is the true meaning of life... or some crap like that....LOL! Have a listen, we think you'll enjoy!
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2 Comments

Lance Cangelosi

5/9/2021 06:54:27 am

Good show, although it covered a lot of your traditional topics and thoughts (all you really needed was for Brando to start on about CO2 to hit all the marks).

You talked a lot about Mastery as unattainable and its misuse in mainstream scuba training. There is a distinction that you might be missing in your conversation, mastery of a skill vs mastery of a skill set/art form/occupation.

I would argue that mastery of a skill is very achievable. Removing and replacing a mask is a skill that can easily be mastered. What is mastery? Simply the ability to perform a task without ever doing it wrong, even in different environments, circumstances, stress levels or conditions. Underlying this definition is that adage that you don't practice until you do something right, you practice until you can't do it wrong.

Mastery of a specific task is different than mastery of a skill set, such as scuba diving or being a metal smith. The skill set or occupation requires mastery of numerous, interrelated tasks that combine and effect each other in sometimes unpredictable ways. This type of mastery is what I think you are referring too when you talk about mastery, and I don't disagree with your assertion that mastery of a skill set is a lifelong journey.

Brando link

5/14/2021 06:44:05 am

Hi Lance,
First, thanks a ton for listening and also for the feedback here. It is really appreciated and goes directly toward us improving what we do and (hopefully) that means people get better, more informative, and entertaining shows.
Overall, I think we're all on the same page. One important aspect of our message was to impart the idea that perhaps the word "mastery" is being misused by the mainstream training agencies. With their "fast food" approach to diver training I would suggest that the vast majority of students are not even set upon the path towards mastery, much less achieving mastery. When the standards state that the student must demonstrate mastery of a skill to move forward and achieve certification, even by your own definition ("Simply the ability to perform a task without ever doing it wrong, even in different environments, circumstances, stress levels or conditions.") that this is not being achieved by any degree of measure of the word "mastery". So, perhaps a more accurate wording should be put into the manuals... but knowing these manuals are written by lawyers, I seriously doubt that the word was chosen "willy nilly". But yes, I certainly see what you mean by 'mastery of a skill is achievable"... maybe were just debating semantics but I think we're on the same page Lance....(also, CO2 buildup due to non mastery is a real bitch! LOL!!)
Seriously though, thanks for listening and commenting. You're obviously thinking and processing our messages and that really means a lot, so thanks brutha! Also, we'd like to send ya some stickers if you'd let us do that... just let us know your address.
Take care & dive safe Lance!
Best Regards,
Brando & Jamesy

Episode 215 - This Episode Is Not About Harassment Training