How to make the best use of time whilst running a PWC course...
This has to be one of the most challenging parts of running a PWC course.. hopefully the information below will give you an idea on how this can be achieved effectively :)
How can you save time?
Don't over teach..
- Ensure each of your sessions fulfil the syllabus requirements but don't go beyond this..
- There is a huge desire from many instructors to delve deep into individual subjects (particularly during the theory sessions)
Pre-prepare
- P.P.P.P. Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance)
Concurrent sessions
- Where possible get students to carry out sessions concurrently
- Sessions such as Coming Alongside, Man Overboard, Towing lend themselves to being run with more than one PWC carrying out the exercise at the same time - as an instructor you just need to ensure that the session is safe and that you're paying attention to all participants so that you can offer valuable feedback during the debriefs.
The example below is working on the assumption of a 09:00 - 17:30 day, with the PWC stored on floating docks
| Timings (approx) | Session |
| 09:00 - 09:10 | Meet students |
| 09:10 - 09:30 | Personal kit intro / Students get changed |
| 09:30 - 09:45 | Introduction to PWC & kit |
| 09:45 - 09:55 | PWC pre-launch checks and launching off floating docks |
| 09:55 - 10:30 | 1:1 familiarisation & controls (instructor wears killcord) |
| 10:30 - 10:40 (Location dependant) | Transit to PWC training area |
| 10:40 - 10:50 | Slow speed box |
| 10:50 - 11:15 | Stopping distances |
| 11:15 - 11:45 | Man Overboard |
| 11:45 - 12:15 | Towing |
| 12:15 - 12:45 | IRPCS - Theory & Practical |
| 12:45 - 12:55 (Location dependant) | Transit back to base |
| 12:55 - 13:15 | Coming alongside floating docks |
| 13:15 - 13:45 | LUNCH |
| 13:45 - 14:45 | Theory Session Covering: Weather (10mins), Tides (10mins), Introduction to charts (10mins), Buoyage (10mins), Anchoring (10mins), Launching & Recovery (10mins) |
| 14:45 - 14:50 | Reminder of IRPCS |
| 14:50 - 15:10 | Student led navigation exercise back to PWC training area using pre-made Nav plan & compass |
|
15:10 - 15: 40 |
Progressive planing box course 1) Constant speed - Wide corners 2) Planing straights, displacement corners 3) Planing straight, planing tight corners |
|
15:40 - 16:00 |
Slalom course |
|
16:00 - 16:10 |
Deep water re boarding |
|
16:10 - 16:20 (Location dependant) |
Transit back to base |
|
16:20 - 16:30 |
PWC Recovery back on floating docks |
|
16:30 - 16:45 |
Aftercare & maintenance |
|
16:45 - 17:00 |
Students get changed |
|
17:00 - 17:15 |
Capsize video / session & Types of PWC |
|
17:15 - 17:20 |
Students complete feedback forms |
|
17:20 - 17:30 |
Students receive books & certificates (where the required standard has been met) |
|
17:30 |
Students depart |
|
17:30 - 18:00 |
Instructor completes PWC aftercare & cleans / packs down rest of kit |
KEY:
- Knowledge of: The subject will be briefly explained. Familiarisation occurs during the course and information on where to find out more is given.
- Understands: The subject will be covered in greater depth. The student will be asked to demonstrate a basic understanding and go away from the course able to develop further their own skill in this area. Confirmation of your students understanding of the subject should be achieved in a number of ways such as question and answer sessions.
- Can: The subject will be covered in greater depth, including background theory, practical demonstrations by the instructor and repeated practice by the students until they can demonstrate the required level of skill.