DIR Diver Specialty?

[Katamuki]

NAUI Tech basically just copied GUE's gear config and a lot of the procedures.

This comes down to an Agency issue and a semantic argument over what gets called DIR.

What is the motivation behind trying to figure out what the DIR 'label' applies to, anyway?

Does calling a NAUI Tech diver 'DIR' or 'not DIR' change anything about the way that diver actually dives?

As far as GUE is concerned, they're never going to accept any cross over training from another agency, because they want to make sure to enforce their own standards, and it doesn't matter if you call divers from other agencies 'DIR' or not.

So, GUE invented all the techniques they teach?

 

[cfenton]

As far as I understand, DIR is a holistic approach. That's why the whole agency should be DIR oriented from the very first beginning if it aims at teaching DIR classes.

Do you think it's possible/applicable that a non DIR-oriented agency have a "DIR Diver Specialty" class?

Yes, I think it's possible to teach all of the Fundamental skills under the banner of another agency. I worked for a short time as an OW Instructor for a small dive shop, where both myself and the owner were GUE trained. We taught everything in a DIR equipment configuration and were able to add the additional skills under the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy standards.

We didn't think it was appropriate to call it "DIR Training" though. There is no doubt in my mind that the students received an above average OW class, but no where near as good as they would have form a GUE Fundamentals course. We never mentioned DIR to the students, there really was no need.

 

[TSandM]

We have a NAUI Tech instructor locally (who took Fundies) who teaches a very nice class he calls "Elements". It's basically Essentials -- buoyancy, trim, non-silting propulsion, tolerating some task-loading, SMB deployment. He doesn't require a Hog rig for the class. It's been very well received.

My husband is currently beta-testing a "techreational workshop" which is similar.

I don't know what you would call such a class, but "DIR specialty" isn't it, unless you insist on the equipment configuration, talk about minimum deco and gas management, and work on team skills.

UTD is inclusive -- if someone wants to apply for one of their classes, they can either present proof of equivalent prerequisites, or do a checkout dive with the instructor to show that they're prepared for the class they want to take.

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

Yes, I think it's possible to teach all of the Fundamental skills under the banner of another agency. I worked for a short time as an OW Instructor for a small dive shop, where both myself and the owner were GUE trained. We taught everything in a DIR equipment configuration and were able to add the additional skills under the PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy standards.

We didn't think it was appropriate to call it "DIR Training" though. There is no doubt in my mind that the students received an above average OW class, but no where near as good as they would have form a GUE Fundamentals course. We never mentioned DIR to the students, there really was no need.

So do you think it's possible that PADI (since it's your agency) consider a DIR Diver Specialty class? A separate specialty course for OW divers or higher? I mean do you think it fits in a non DIR-oriented agency's curriculum?

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

We have a NAUI Tech instructor locally (who took Fundies) who teaches a very nice class he calls "Elements". It's basically Essentials -- buoyancy, trim, non-silting propulsion, tolerating some task-loading, SMB deployment. He doesn't require a Hog rig for the class. It's been very well received.

My husband is currently beta-testing a "techreational workshop" which is similar.

I don't know what you would call such a class, but "DIR specialty" isn't it, unless you insist on the equipment configuration, talk about minimum deco and gas management, and work on team skills.

UTD is inclusive -- if someone wants to apply for one of their classes, they can either present proof of equivalent prerequisites, or do a checkout dive with the instructor to show that they're prepared for the class they want to take.

So do you think it's possible to wrap such a course (including equipment configuration, gas management, team skills, etc...) under the umbrella of a non DIR-oriented agency (SDI, TDI, PADI, etc...) in the form of a specialty class?

 

[DaleC]

DIR comes from technical/cave diving.
If you divorce it entirely from its background, the term really becomes meaningless.

Are you saying my DIR vintage solo badge is meaningless. Is that what you are trying to say?

 

[cfenton]

So do you think it's possible that PADI (since it's your agency) consider a DIR Diver Specialty class? A separate specialty course for OW divers or higher? I mean do you think it fits in a non DIR-oriented agency's curriculum?

Personally - no to both questions.

 

[Blackwood]

as far as gue is concerned, they're never going to accept any cross over training from another agency, because they want to make sure to enforce their own standards, and it doesn't matter if you call divers from other agencies 'dir' or not.

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

Personally - no to both questions.

Why not?

 

[PfcAJ]

Its no easy thing to accomplish, and those crossovers are few and far between.