DIR-F in RI?

[mstudley]

Title pretty much says it all. Is there any way/place to take the GUE DIR Fundamentals class in Rhode Island? I haven't seen any shops around here that offer GUE classes.

I'm not ready to take it yet and would like to do a lot more diving before another class (besides Rescue I guess), but I'm just curious if when I am ready will I have to drive to Boston for it.

Thanks.

-- Matt

 

[MASS-Diver]

A few of us took in CT a couple of weeks ago, great class. If you have enough people the instructors will come to you, so if you have a good spot, they will come to RI. Don't wait to get more dives, take it asap. I wish I had taken it sooner. I know someone with 15 dives that took the course and had a great time.

 

[Soggy]

Contact Bob Sherwood at Allaboutscuba.com. You may be able to take the class in CT or perhaps Dutch Springs in Bethlehem, PA.

 

[hurleyskis]

I have a couple of questions for you guys that have taken the course.

Can you take the course if your equipment isn't DIR?

I want to learn the approach, techniques etc and eventually get to buying the gear, but i feel gaining the knowledge now could only be helpful.

Also, has anyone taken the course or can give me a contact for a course in the Boston area?

Thanks,

John

 

[mstudley]

I have a couple of questions for you guys that have taken the course.

Can you take the course if your equipment isn't DIR?

I want to learn the approach, techniques etc and eventually get to buying the gear, but i feel gaining the knowledge now could only be helpful.

Also, has anyone taken the course or can give me a contact for a course in the Boston area?

Thanks,

John

Thanks everyone for the info.

John, take a look a the GUE website for more information regarding these classes: http://www.gue.com

Here is the specific site for the fundamentals class which discusses requirements and all that stuff: http://www.gue.com/classroom/dirfund.shtml

I also suggest getting the DIR Fundamentals book which can be ordered directly from GUE.

 

[large_diver]

John,

A couple of other points --

Yes, you need the gear for the course. Most instructors will let you borrow gear if you arrange this in advance.

Unfortunately there's no instructor here in the boston area. PM me if you want more details.

-Chris

 

[mer]

The 15 dive DIRFer was my father.... By the time he gets to 25 dives he'll be where I was at 100 dives. Take the class as soon as you can. This prevents having to unlearn that darn muscle memory.

The only GUE instructor in the New England area is Bob Sherwood at All About Scuba. Contact him about upcoming class dates, if you're trying to get a class together and want to have it in the Boston or RI area, contact him now. He is very helpful explaining the requirements of the course and I would highly recommend him to anyone in New England or the mid atlantic.

You can take the class if you don't OWN the gear, but you will need certain pieces/types of equipment to take it (long hose reg, BP/wings, blade fins). The class prereqs/ gear reqs can be found here: http://gue.com/classroom/dirfund.shtml. Bob and Scuba Shack in Rocky Hill, CT have philosophy compliant gear that you could rent. Of course, it's always best to learn in your own equipment, but if this is the only thing holding you back, I'd suggest renting.