Alternative Training

[chrpai]

I am a PADI Rescue/Nitrox diver with an estimated 250 dives. I retired from diving for a long period and resumed diving back in April. I had given all my gear away so I bought all new gear this year. For the most part it's a DIR/Hog single tank setup.

Over the last 6 months I've put in about 50 dives in Lake Travis (Austin, TX). I spent a day back in May/June doing a "tweak" dive session and that was good. I was in Atlanta for a couple weeks back in August and I tried to do a Primer or Fundies class in Florida around that time but nothing could be put together.

I've read online about various skills to practice and I do so from time to time and will continue to do so. There aren't any DIR instructors around me and I probably won't be able to invest the time and money to travel any time soon.

Ok, so what am I asking? I'm trying to put together an alternative training plan (non-certification) to get closer to DIR. I'm sure official training and frequent diving with DIR buddies is better, but what can you do when that's not readily available?

 

[PfcAJ]

Lone Star Underwater Explorers | Facebook

Give a holler to those guys. LSUE is a newer GUE oriented group out of Austin (looks to be about 30mins from Cedar Park, if I google-mapped it right). They could probably set you up with some dives, tips, maybe even a course.

Good luck!

 

[chrpai]

I know of a group up in the Dallas Fort Worth area (3+ hours) and 50Fathom down in San Marcos ( 1 1/2 hours ) but I really don't know anyone in the Austin area. I followed the links to Facebook and to their website and the information is very thin.

I can follow up with 50Fathom to see if he can tell me the local resource scoop. Any other suggestions?

 

[Peter Guy]

Ok, so what am I asking? I'm trying to put together an alternative training plan (non-certification) to get closer to DIR. I'm sure official training and frequent diving with DIR buddies is better, but what can you do when that's not readily available?

"DIR" diving is about several things (at least in my opinion) and some of them can be practiced alone, some can not. Three of those "things" are: a. Situational awareness; b. Physical diving skills; and c. Pre-dive planning.

Working on "situational awareness" is pretty hard to do by yourself.

Physical diving skills are hard to work on by yourself, but not impossible. If you have access to a pool and video capable camera, you can work on some skills, video yourself and then review the video and try to figure out what you can do better. Perhaps the most important "skill" is being still and THAT just takes time to learn and feel and video is a great tool for working on that. You can work on the "fundamental" skills in mid-water like mask clearing, air sharing, just hanging in the water. IF you can do things in mid-water and be still, you are well on your way.

You can also work on pre-dive planning by reading essays on gas management, decompression theory, etc. that will put you well on your way.

 

[50Fathom]

Well, I agree distance can be a huge factor in diving opportunities. Once the teaching time slows down, (starting next month for sure), I know myself and other LSUE members and DIR teammates will be diving at Travis on a fairly regular basis, so if you ever want to try and link-up, we can let you know whenever we're heading out there.

I know I'm working closely with the DFW contingent to bring some dive dates together, and I've met a Fundified diver down in SA who is wanting to dive at every opportunity.

So, we're out there, it's just life and work has been insane lately for most of us, so the scheduling is tough.

 

[chrpai]

I think the last I heard from the DFW guys was that they were all going to travel to FL. I've managed to have an active summer season but it's trailed off. Today would have been an awesome day but I couldn't get a hall pass. Sure, hit me up if you guys go out on Lake Travis. I can do Windy or Mansfield although most of my diving has been off of Mike and Cat's boat.

 

[Teller]

I am at FT Hood about an hour north of you. I know instructors that practice DIR and many non-instructors that practice DIR.

 

[rongoodman]

If you have a few days to travel you could go to Florida or Mexico for a Cavern class.

 

[Cyprian]

I think the last I heard from the DFW guys was that they were all going to travel to FL. I've managed to have an active summer season but it's trailed off. Today would have been an awesome day but I couldn't get a hall pass. Sure, hit me up if you guys go out on Lake Travis. I can do Windy or Mansfield although most of my diving has been off of Mike and Cat's boat.

Yes sir, we have two groups that are traveling to Florida for Fundies class in the upcoming year, but we train locally, pretty much every weekend. I've been down in your area a couple of times in the past 2 1/2 months diving with 50Fathom. While we tend to stay local to DFW, during the fall/winter we will be traveling to Travis, Canyon Lake, Stillhouse Hollow, RPR, over the next few months with a trip or two to Balmorhea in that mix.

You are welcome to dive with us here or when we travel to your area.

Safe dives,

Cyprian

 

[Scott L]

I think the last I heard from the DFW guys was that they were all going to travel to FL. I've managed to have an active summer season but it's trailed off. Today would have been an awesome day but I couldn't get a hall pass. Sure, hit me up if you guys go out on Lake Travis. I can do Windy or Mansfield although most of my diving has been off of Mike and Cat's boat.

If it makes you feel any better, the seas are 10'+ in S. Florida to the Keys this weekend...