Okay, it was bad enough when the Phillippine divers were writing their posts in another language . . . 
Changes to Fundies...
- Thread starter Vie
- Start date
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Bob Sherwood
Contributor
Gentlemen, thank you for the support. I'm FAR from the best, but do have a desire for constant improvement. I'm fortunate enough to be surrounded by and surround myself with really good people. there are alot out there. Many in our organization and many outside of it. The goal should be for us to constantly offer support to all of the good people out there. Focus less on the negative issues and try to address areas that our attention can improve on. We are all just trying to have fun and enjoy the sport we love. we recognize there are great educators in every organization; we can not effect change immediately outside of our own, so we'll focus attention there first. We wish all well, and will try to support ALL efforts to improve our sport/industry.
If there are any more questions relative to fundamental changes, please ask. We believe that all of them will be in the best interest of our students, and will allow us to support them better than before. Best, Bob
If there are any more questions relative to fundamental changes, please ask. We believe that all of them will be in the best interest of our students, and will allow us to support them better than before. Best, Bob
lamont:
Maybe a bit too much time on the FXP boards Lamont?
StSomewhere
Contributor
I know this thread has been dormant a few days (more like a week unless you count the geek speak ), but...
If GUE decides to make the Rec-Fundamentals upgradable to Tech-Fundamentals, they should really define this in the standards so any Tech-F instructor could do the upgrade vs. their current format where only the original instructor can upgrade provisionals. Just my two psi...
), but...If GUE decides to make the Rec-Fundamentals upgradable to Tech-Fundamentals, they should really define this in the standards so any Tech-F instructor could do the upgrade vs. their current format where only the original instructor can upgrade provisionals. Just my two psi...
Bob Sherwood
Contributor
This will NOT be two different courses. One course, one instructor two standards. Any fundamentals instructor can certify either rec or tec. Will be clear in standards. A student can do the upgrade with ANY current Fundies Instructor. Best,Bob
StSomewhere:I know this thread has been dormant a few days (more like a week unless you count the geek speak
If GUE decides to make the Rec-Fundamentals upgradable to Tech-Fundamentals, they should really define this in the standards so any Tech-F instructor could do the upgrade vs. their current format where only the original instructor can upgrade provisionals. Just my two psi...
piikki
Contributor
Hey,
is there still time to express a wish? If there will be that REC endorsement on the F-card (instead of just something less tech), could you please make sure the sticker/text whatever will not be PINK!!! PLEASE!
is there still time to express a wish? If there will be that REC endorsement on the F-card (instead of just something less tech), could you please make sure the sticker/text whatever will not be PINK!!! PLEASE!
BabyDuck
Contributor
aww, i'd *want* pink...
piikki
Contributor
BabyDuck:
I knew you'd be the first one to pitch in on this one. Now think of this, if Tech 2s mentor the Tech 1s and Tech1 mentor the Tech-Fs, who's going to want to admit they are mentoring the Pinkies?
BabyDuck
Contributor
i can think of a few guys tough enough...
diveski01
Contributor
I too have taken DIRF (workshop) and lurked/helped during numerous classes since taught by several different instructors. Even during the workshop days - when the classes were really intended for pre cave/tech crowd - the instructors didn't give a flip if you were not actually planning to go Tech or Cave. OK, so having an open mind helped with that. Many of us Rec divers have dive buddies with polished Tech/Cave skills and just didn't want to look so painfully "PADI O/W" when diving with them :11: The attitude from the instructors was to do as well as you could, learn from others, and to develop a network of like-minded dive buddies. I think that open-minded attitude is partially why DIR-F expanded so quickly into the Rec arena.
With at least 2-3 instructors and several dive teams in classes, there was a LOT of information and plenty of examples on video. You really got to know people at all GUE levels w/in your geographic area.
Personally, I also like the "split bar" concept for future DIR-F. If you manage to pass the "tech" bar, then you know you have options to pursue triox, tech, &/or cave courses right away. If not, you know what to work on to get there or what to work on to evolve as a strong Rec diver. Maybe workshop only for Rec only, pass/fail for Tech/Cave aspirations??
I would have also liked the "split sessions" concept of attending the class/workshop one weekend, then - if so inclined - get the pass/provisionl/fail evaluations after X months of practice. This really only works easily if you and an instructor are within easy driving distance for weekend divesites for the evaluation sessions. Clearly, it would be best if you had sound Tech/Cave buddies to practice with you so you're not reverting to bad habits w/o feedback.
Our workshops were really demanding as the instructors crammed in a LOT of discussion on top of the typical 2 1/2 day schedule (Fri 6 - 11 pm, then 8 am to 10 pm Sat and Sun). We were mentally and physically spent - can't imagine trying to "pass" anything!!
Since my workshop, I've seen a couple of instructors extend the class to 3 full days and keep a 3:1 in-water student to instructor ratio plus a dedicated videographer for each team. Plenty of time for gearing up, meals, chatting with classmates and DIR "lurkers", and much less stress during the dives. Any longer could be too much time off work for that level of instruction - especially the Rec only divers. I'd think 4 full days would almost always need to be split across 2 weekends??? Again, having instructors within driving distance or not will likely gate how the longer classes will be accomplished.
With at least 2-3 instructors and several dive teams in classes, there was a LOT of information and plenty of examples on video. You really got to know people at all GUE levels w/in your geographic area.
Personally, I also like the "split bar" concept for future DIR-F. If you manage to pass the "tech" bar, then you know you have options to pursue triox, tech, &/or cave courses right away. If not, you know what to work on to get there or what to work on to evolve as a strong Rec diver. Maybe workshop only for Rec only, pass/fail for Tech/Cave aspirations??
I would have also liked the "split sessions" concept of attending the class/workshop one weekend, then - if so inclined - get the pass/provisionl/fail evaluations after X months of practice. This really only works easily if you and an instructor are within easy driving distance for weekend divesites for the evaluation sessions. Clearly, it would be best if you had sound Tech/Cave buddies to practice with you so you're not reverting to bad habits w/o feedback.
Our workshops were really demanding as the instructors crammed in a LOT of discussion on top of the typical 2 1/2 day schedule (Fri 6 - 11 pm, then 8 am to 10 pm Sat and Sun). We were mentally and physically spent - can't imagine trying to "pass" anything!!
Since my workshop, I've seen a couple of instructors extend the class to 3 full days and keep a 3:1 in-water student to instructor ratio plus a dedicated videographer for each team. Plenty of time for gearing up, meals, chatting with classmates and DIR "lurkers", and much less stress during the dives. Any longer could be too much time off work for that level of instruction - especially the Rec only divers. I'd think 4 full days would almost always need to be split across 2 weekends??? Again, having instructors within driving distance or not will likely gate how the longer classes will be accomplished.
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