FLDVR:Hi, just wondering from the content of some of the posts if most of the people here were actually Dir orientated divers.
It would be nice to see users accomplishments and goals as far as Dir training goes.
Henry
Interesting question, Henry. I was going to create a new topic last night about DIR misinformation, but after writing it, Scubaboard.com went offline and it was lost. Also, due to some issues being covered regarding the current phase of DIR training in another message board, the present course standards will find that most DIR divers encountered on message boards will be probably be between the DIR-F and Tech 1levels with a scant few at Cave 2 or Tech 2 and above.
Originally, I started GUE/DIR training 7 years ago after being hired by a company called, Hydronautics - Diving for Science & Adventure, Inc., in 1999. I had been an experienced SCUBA instructor, freediving instructor trainer and professional lifeguard at the time and my new boss was trying to create an elite team of technical divers for scientific research projects. His ambition was to be able to provide teams for deep ocean exploration and research to assist colleges, universities and scientists with gathering everything from information to conducting experiments that they didn't have the capability to do and to be able to provide our services free of charge through memberships and donations to the cause. We began work on two projects. One was locating a U-boat that was recently discovered by another team off Canada and the other was recovering 13,000 year-old native American artifacts. A German, he liked the structure, discipline, standardization and image of DIR and GUE. He wanted Andrew Georgitsis to run our DIR-F and Tech 1 courses since he was GUE's training director at the time. We took DIR-F in November 2000 and Tech 1 in July 2001, but some of our team couldn't make it the couple who did held back the those of us in the class who could complete Tech 1. The endeavor came to an end after September 11, 2001 in the wake of the terror attacks. Our offices were located at 67 Wall Street and while our employer thankfully survived, the investment firm that provided the bulk share of our resources went bankrupt in the post 9/11 market by the end of the year.
The second event that determined my training progression, or lack of progression with GUE, was becoming one of Bob Sherwood's students. By re-taking DIR-F, I found myself stymied by both Andrew Georgitsis' departure from GUE and Bob's standards. I believe that being DIR means you're 100% DIR during team time because one or two other people are relying upon you to give them your best and be part the proactive safety process of DIR diving. But, what you do on your own time should be your right such as solo freediving or cave diving. Bob Sherwood is a pilot and flies airplanes by himself. I only get into small planes when wearing a parachute. Ed Hayes rides motorcycles by himself without a helmet. I have a truck with seatbelts and airbags. So, I don't see why I can surf alone or swim alone and it's okay, but if I dive alone...
Does that make me DIR-oriented? No, I think it makes me an American! :salute:
Lots of good men and women died so that I might have freedom. THANK YOU! So, I'm not going to let that be taken away just because an agency doesn't want to get sued. As a lifeguard, I view my role in a DIR team as exactly that so any argument about solo diving making a bad buddy is a lot of crap. So, yeah, I'm a DIR diver when doing dives with DIR divers.
That said, I educate my own students about DIR team procedures and being good buddies, but also to function independently of me as an instructor and alone at both the recreational and technical levels.
My future DIR training will be probably be with NAUI Tec.
My goal as a DIR diver is to dive Wakulla and Indian Springs once these systems open up to public. Since I voilunteered with the IUCRR to give something back to caving and the community, I'd like to help develop and educate public safety teams in DIR techniques.