Skill Demonstration – Five Point Ascent
Today we will look at a skill that is useful for your PADI Divemaster or PADI IDC course, as it is part of the skill circuit that you are required to complete for both of these courses.
Getting comfortable with the skills require some practice and also to understand the intent of the skill: what it is meant to explain or make our students understand about diving?
Let’s look at the five point ascent. The performance requirement for this skill is as follow: Ascend using the five-point method, primarily using the BCD for buoyancy control.
This is how the skill is described in Confined Water dive 2 from the Open Water course. Later on during the course, we will also show this skill to the students while starting neutrally buoyant and simulating being over a sensitive bottom.
This skill is best remembered by using the acronym STELA: Signal, Time, Elevate, Look up, Ascent
In order to demonstrate this skill, follow these steps:
- Give the skill signal for the five point ascent.
- The first point is to signal to the buddy that it is OK to go up and all are ready to ascend.
- The second point is to check time of ascent and computer in order to make sure the safety stop has been completed.
- The third point is to elevate both arms: one on the LPI in order to be ready to deflate air during ascent, the second above the head in case there is anything above the divers during ascent.
- The fourth point is to look up to make sure it is clear to ascend, and also listen for potential boat traffic.
- Finally, slowly swim up while looking up and keeping hands extended above the head. Upon reaching the surface, inflate the BCD and switch from regulator to snorkel.
This skill is very valuable and safety oriented, as it shows your students how to ascend safely from every dive.
During your PADI Divemaster course or your Instructor course you will practice this skill and hopefully these few tips will help you master it!
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