DIR-F Questions...

[Big-t-2538]

If you want to practice something practice paying attention. Situational awareness, buddy awareness, time/depth awareness, buoyancy awareness, breathing awareness, ect.

Yeah...these are certainly more important that trying to learn finning techniques on your own. That stuff will be covered in class, and with the kind of instruction these guys offer, there's no reason you can't pick it up in a couple of dives. There's nothing worse that thinking you have a skill nailed down, then having to unlearn everything that is wrong about it in order to do it correctly.

 

[5615mike]

WillAbbott,

Here are some trip reports that may give you a better idea of what you have to look forward to.

LargeDiver

Lost Yooper

Cave Diver

SeaJay

Happy reading, I found them very informative.

Thanks for the links. Enjoyed those.

 

[ERP]

I'm going to go with Uncle Pug, you should practice your awareness skills.

I didn't do so well on day one of my DIRF because I went into dive class mode, I was so engrossed in doing skills, and thinking about the next one that I really wasn't paying much attention to anything else.

DIRF is about more than the basic individual skills and you are judged not just on your ability to remove and don a mask while neutral, but on your situational awareness and buddy skills.

 

[WillAbbott]

Thanks guys.

I'll deffinately do what you say... I try to be pretty aware of my buddies, that is one of the major things that I look for in a good buddy and why I get so frustrated at Club dives, is because of SO many oblivious buddies, esspecially in a group of 3 divers.

I did happen to get into the poll last night, while an OW class did there swims/floats, and a Discover Scuba class was in progress... I practiced my Mask R&R since it was my weak skill in OW... did much better than the last time in OW... also practiced it 2 times while neutral, and did a good job I think... I was only in about 7 feet of water, about midway between the bottom and surface, so if I would have moved up or down by only a couple of feet I would have hit the surface or bottom.


I can't wait till March, wish it would come quicker... but maybe I'll get done with DM before then, and probably get me some Jet fins by then as well...

I did get a little perturbed at FifthD yesturday, one of the guys basically argued with me on the phone, I was willing to pay to have my spool shipped to me today, and my books shipped when they came in (currently not in) he basically wouldn't let me, and also told me it would take 5 days to get from Seattle to Oregon... BULL, I can have a package UPS ground to my house from back east in 5 days... ok sure with the freeze in Portland UPS may be a little behind, but 5 days? Anyways, I wasn't very happy... Anyone else have a certain guy that you talk to there who isn't all that helpful? I think it's the same guy who was very unhelpful when I inquired about DIR-F, there was another guy the 2nd time I called about it and to pay, who was MUCH more plesant to deal with. I won't name names, esspecially since I don't remember it.

 

[pdxseadiver]

William,

If you are going to be at Edmonds this Saturday, I could lend you my books. I may not be diving due to my work schedule, but I could drive over to see everyone who is up from Oregon.

Wayne

 

[WillAbbott]

William,

If you are going to be at Edmonds this Saturday, I could lend you my books. I may not be diving due to my work schedule, but I could drive over to see everyone who is up from Oregon.

Wayne

First off, your last name wouldn't happen to be Hernandez would it, and used to be a member or, or dive with Club Paradise? Some of what you said, makes me think you is.

Secondly, thanks for the offer, I don't really need the books or anything, my issue was I wanted the spool, and was willing to have it shipped now, and pay for shipping of the books when they came in, but apparently, what the customer wants doesn't count anymore... so much for "the customer is always right" or the new saying of "The customer isn't always right, the customer is always the customer"

I guess it's a good thing, there are plenty of Mail order Halcyon dealers who want my buisiness... hmm (ok not to bash 5th D, they've been good to me in the past, when I bought my gear, but lately they been irritating me)

 

[pdxseadiver]

First off, your last name wouldn't happen to be Hernandez would it, and used to be a member or, or dive with Club Paradise? Some of what you said, makes me think you is.

Secondly, thanks for the offer, I don't really need the books or anything, my issue was I wanted the spool, and was willing to have it shipped now, and pay for shipping of the books when they came in, but apparently, what the customer wants doesn't count anymore... so much for "the customer is always right" or the new saying of "The customer isn't always right, the customer is always the customer"

I guess it's a good thing, there are plenty of Mail order Halcyon dealers who want my buisiness... hmm (ok not to bash 5th D, they've been good to me in the past, when I bought my gear, but lately they been irritating me)

Yes, It's me. I wanted to see you guys the last time they were up to Edmonds, thought I worked the night prior and was working Saturday night.

My last training has been on a Dolphin rebreather, though I was just in the water this past weekend doing a DIR-F refresher.

There are not many folks at 5th D anymore, so I can guess which ones were helpful or not on your spool order. I am glad they still will work with someone who has gone the rebreather route.

Wayne

 

[WillAbbott]

Yes, It's me. I wanted to see you guys the last time they were up to Edmonds, thought I worked the night prior and was working Saturday night.

My last training has been on a Dolphin rebreather, though I was just in the water this past weekend doing a DIR-F refresher.

There are not many folks at 5th D anymore, so I can guess which ones were helpful or not on your spool order. I am glad they still will work with someone who has gone the rebreather route.

Wayne

Well hello there then .

I'm not sure I'm gonna be at Edmonds, I'm going to be at Sund Rock Friday, and stay the night there (hopefully do a night dive) and I'm not sure if I will dive there the next day, or head to Edmonds... I might come over if you bring your rebreather and let me play with it ) LOL Just kidding...

That's sad there's not many at Fifth-D... I dunno what the Issequah shop looks like now, when I was there last April/March when the Kent store was still around, the Issequah one was very nice looking and all, but I was dissipointed in contrast with the Kent shop... esspecially after the great service I got from Erik Holder (still have his bussiness card) He was great to deal with from the moment I walked through the door (not necissarily buying) to the point where we said, SURE we will take the BP/Wings AND the regulator you recommended

I find it interesting the trends in the dive shops... you have pretty much 3 primary shop types...

1) Sucky service, great products, or prices
2) Great service but they don't move enough merchandise so prices are higher than EVERYwhere else.
3) Great Service, but don't carry the brands or products you want, and can't even order them special (this is where my current shop fits, I like the owner and other staff, but can't get much from them)

I guess one has to pick something, maybe the willing to pay a little more and drive a ways to get it. Hoodsport 'N dive is about my number 1 most favorite shop... it seems though often thier prices are higher since they don't move as much product (on average) but both Ron and Mike (though Mike can be a pain sometimes with his opinions) are great to deal with. But who wants to drive 3 hours to buy a spool, or new wing, or something, or wait till the next time your there diving... Not I, I'm too impatient most of the time.


Well if I head over to Edmonds I might see you... sounds like we have a few "guests" showing up to the dive.

I may just head that way now, partially as 4-5 dives at Sund in 2 days, might not be as enjoyable. My biggest peave with club dives, is I never know who I'm going to dive with (so many of the group has thier usual dive buddies as you know) and many a times in the past they've been horrid buddies, usually decent to good divers, but terrible buddies, totally oblivious to where or what thier buddy is up to (makes me feel all safe, NOT!) or I get stuck in a group of 3, with 2 oblivous buddies, who can't decide to swim in the same direction, and have to choose which buddy to follow and try and let them know, they just ditched the other buddy... Course I'm too nice to tell people off, or make suggestions like the one time I saw one of the group dragging her $900 cobra across the rocks because she doesn't secure it to her BC ;(

Ok NOW I'm rambling on.