DIR Diver Specialty?

[vioch]

Even if the two now-existing DIR agencies

BTW there are 3 now-existing DIR agencies. ISE is the third - Home - Inner Space Explorers

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

BTW there are 3 now-existing DIR agencies. ISE is the third - Home - Inner Space Explorers

Thanks for the info.

You see guys? Now there's a new agency, obviously based in Germany (if they have a headquarter).

 

[TSandM]

I would be quite surprised if any of the mainstream agencies began to offer such a class as part of their standard curriculum. I think, for the foreseeable future, it would simply be a "distinctive specialty" offered by instructors who were motivated to do so -- which would not include anyone who "hates DIR".

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

I would be quite surprised if any of the mainstream agencies began to offer such a class as part of their standard curriculum. I think, for the foreseeable future, it would simply be a "distinctive specialty" offered by instructors who were motivated to do so -- which would not include anyone who "hates DIR".

Although I don't know what the difference between a distinctive specialty and an ordinary one is, that's fine by me. Just a specialty that does not lead to, or is not a pre-requisite for, further training courses.

I know once PADI had a wreck hunter distinctive specialty

 

[Peter Guy]

As I wrote on another thread, I believe there is WAY too much emphasis placed on the idea of "holisticness" when "DIR" diving is discussed and WAY "too little" emphasis placed on core ideas. Yes, to be a "TRUE DIR" diver (at least as described in such places as the DIR forum here on SB) one must "dress for success" and get an EDGE with GUE training. BUT, it would certainly be nice if people would accept that getting close "to the EDGE" of "TRUE DIR" would benefit almost all recreational divers and that the most reasonable way for that to happen is for the large recreational organizations to offer the training.

As far as I know, there is nothing that prevents me from teaching "DIR Light" (if you will) to any of my recreational students. I highly doubt that any other agency is different (the one exception might be the snorkel requirement of NAUI but why quibble). But certainly every agency wants to their instructors to teach:

a. Good buoyancy control;
b. Good dive planning;
c. Good buddy (team) skills and communication;
d. Continuous education, practice and diving improvement; and
e. Being a GOOD diver.

In reality, the only thing that is NOT a part of most non-DIR agencies' directives is the standardization of equipment and the donation of the primary regulator -- but none, as far as I know, prohibit that teaching.

So, "DIR Diver Specialty" -- why not? But what is it that YOU think would be taught in such a class that isn't supposed to be part of the standard curriculum?

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

So, "DIR Diver Specialty" -- why not? But what is it that YOU think would be taught in such a class that isn't supposed to be part of the standard curriculum?

What's taught in UTD Essentials and GUE Fundamentals courses.

Why do good certified divers (sometimes instructors) aim at taking these classes? What could an instructor, for instance, learn from a UTD Essentials or GUE Fundamentals course? It'll be exactly the same for the proposed "DIR Diver Specialty" or "DIR Diver Distinctive Specialty".

 

[TSandM]

I think you might have significant problems getting a few things past the mainstream agencies: Teaching gas management to recreational divers (which seems to be a sticking point in Peter's shop), teaching minimum deco, and teaching lack of reliance on a computer. They might have issues with standard gases, max END of 100, and the use of recreational helium, too. (Although admittedly, that isn't part of Fundies.)

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

Teaching gas management to recreational divers is not an issue. Actually in classes like SDI Solo Diver (recreational no-decompression class), we teach gas management.

Lack of reliance on a computer is a debated issue. Personally I don't prefer it and I don't think it'll be a major barrier in "compiling" course standards for recreational divers.

 

[TSandM]

Lack of reliance on a computer is a debated issue. Personally I don't prefer it and I don't think it'll be a major barrier in "compiling" course standards for recreational divers.

It's a debated issue everywhere except in the DIR community. This is why such a class is unlikely to be a real "DIR" class -- the person teaching will pick and choose the parts he likes of the system, and it simply doesn't work that way.

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

It's a debated issue everywhere except in the DIR community. This is why such a class is unlikely to be a real "DIR" class -- the person teaching will pick and choose the parts he likes of the system, and it simply doesn't work that way.

It's not up to the instructor. It's up to the agency. The agency is the entity that puts the standards.