VTernovski
Contributor
Ok, well.. I dont even know where to start. Since therere about a dozen of other DIR-F reports out there, I wont go into a complete report what is going on during the class, so Ill just mention on a few things that touched me.
First of all, I dont care who you are, or who you think you are, most likely youre not anywhere ready to continue in your diving career without first re-examining your basic, elementary, fundamentals skills. Take the DIR-F class! Second, what ever you read on these Internet boards is 99% bull****. And also, you are not getting anywhere by learning from postage stamp size drill videos out there floating around on the Internet. Take the DIR-F class! Lastly, I dont care what opinions you have about DIR, what you know or what you may have read/heard/argued you want to be a better diver? Take the class! I dont care if you want to adopt the DIR system or not, but no matter what your view on this is, you will get away with a better understanding of where you are in regards to you diving level. We had a variety of experience in the class, single tank divers, doubles tank divers, even an Instructor, and we all ate a piece of the humble pie on what level our dive skills currently are. So,.. take the class!
So, without any name bushing for our previous agency certification that we received, it became apparent that we all suck. And to quote MHK Hey Chief, the videos don't lie!
So, the first day was a complete disaster. I thought that had a few of the skills nailed down, Ive been doing frog kicks forever, right? WRONG. Backwards kick was a disaster as well, I think I was actually moving forwards than backwards, and I looked like humping a dog. After watching the videos, MHK pointed out what we were doing wrong and suggested how to fix it. Second day was better, but the trim was still a little off. Then, anytime you are being just a bit more tasks loaded, everything youve learned goes down the toilet.
By the way, everyone in our class had their harnesses too lose D rings incorrectly placed, etc.. This just goes to show that you really need a GUE instructor to show you and explain what and why as you cant learn everything from the Internet. Our dry suits were crap, and he showed us why. As, MHK said Nothing is more upsetting when students buy a brand new drysuit right before they take the class.
Also, forget about practicing for DIR-F class and also saying some dumb **** like oh, I dont think I am ready for it. Its not about pass/fail, and the more your practice your incorrect skills and kicks, the harder and longer it will take for you to unlearn them. The class is open for new divers with just 25 dives logged. And I now strongly believe that this class is a MUST before you spend any more of your time and money for other gear and classes that you will then end up regretting. But, hey, eBay will always be there for you
So, am a DIR diver yet? Not even close. Am I a better diver? Probably not. Of course, there is no magic wand that MHK could waive and turn us into pros over one weekend, but what we have now, is the knowledge and the tools to keep practicing and gradually become better divers.
Remember practice doesnt make perfect, Perfect practice makes perfect!
Overall, however, the weekend was a lot of fun! And I think it is safe to assume that I will be taking the class again in two weeks with Bob Sherwood. So, I strongly suggest you register for the class, tere are 2 spots left. You may not agree with me now, but learn from other's mistakes and not yours, take the class before you do anything else. Youll thank me later.
:11ztongue
-VT
P.S.
MHK really knows his stuff. There hasn't been a single time where a question was gone unanswered. But... I am also convinced the guy is not human - he doesn't wear a hood in 41 degree water, and certainly doesn't breathe. my LDS where I rented the doubles for him turned out to be out of hydro (I have to remember to yell at them for that!) and weren't refilled on the second day. If I am not mistaken, he still had about 2000 pounds left after all four dives. :11:
First of all, I dont care who you are, or who you think you are, most likely youre not anywhere ready to continue in your diving career without first re-examining your basic, elementary, fundamentals skills. Take the DIR-F class! Second, what ever you read on these Internet boards is 99% bull****. And also, you are not getting anywhere by learning from postage stamp size drill videos out there floating around on the Internet. Take the DIR-F class! Lastly, I dont care what opinions you have about DIR, what you know or what you may have read/heard/argued you want to be a better diver? Take the class! I dont care if you want to adopt the DIR system or not, but no matter what your view on this is, you will get away with a better understanding of where you are in regards to you diving level. We had a variety of experience in the class, single tank divers, doubles tank divers, even an Instructor, and we all ate a piece of the humble pie on what level our dive skills currently are. So,.. take the class!
So, without any name bushing for our previous agency certification that we received, it became apparent that we all suck. And to quote MHK Hey Chief, the videos don't lie!
So, the first day was a complete disaster. I thought that had a few of the skills nailed down, Ive been doing frog kicks forever, right? WRONG. Backwards kick was a disaster as well, I think I was actually moving forwards than backwards, and I looked like humping a dog. After watching the videos, MHK pointed out what we were doing wrong and suggested how to fix it. Second day was better, but the trim was still a little off. Then, anytime you are being just a bit more tasks loaded, everything youve learned goes down the toilet.
By the way, everyone in our class had their harnesses too lose D rings incorrectly placed, etc.. This just goes to show that you really need a GUE instructor to show you and explain what and why as you cant learn everything from the Internet. Our dry suits were crap, and he showed us why. As, MHK said Nothing is more upsetting when students buy a brand new drysuit right before they take the class.
Also, forget about practicing for DIR-F class and also saying some dumb **** like oh, I dont think I am ready for it. Its not about pass/fail, and the more your practice your incorrect skills and kicks, the harder and longer it will take for you to unlearn them. The class is open for new divers with just 25 dives logged. And I now strongly believe that this class is a MUST before you spend any more of your time and money for other gear and classes that you will then end up regretting. But, hey, eBay will always be there for you
So, am a DIR diver yet? Not even close. Am I a better diver? Probably not. Of course, there is no magic wand that MHK could waive and turn us into pros over one weekend, but what we have now, is the knowledge and the tools to keep practicing and gradually become better divers.
Remember practice doesnt make perfect, Perfect practice makes perfect!
Overall, however, the weekend was a lot of fun! And I think it is safe to assume that I will be taking the class again in two weeks with Bob Sherwood. So, I strongly suggest you register for the class, tere are 2 spots left. You may not agree with me now, but learn from other's mistakes and not yours, take the class before you do anything else. Youll thank me later.
:11ztongue
-VT
P.S.
MHK really knows his stuff. There hasn't been a single time where a question was gone unanswered. But... I am also convinced the guy is not human - he doesn't wear a hood in 41 degree water, and certainly doesn't breathe. my LDS where I rented the doubles for him turned out to be out of hydro (I have to remember to yell at them for that!) and weren't refilled on the second day. If I am not mistaken, he still had about 2000 pounds left after all four dives. :11: