Good luck and let us know how it went.
What will make it a great experience is GUEs approach to diver education. An approach that is quite different from the larger agencies. These differences are not really the focus of most discussions of DIR. Here are some lessions I took away from my DIR-F class.
Intense: three solid days of classroom, pool and open water work. And long days with an instructor that is willing to spend morning to night with you and your group talking about diving. A lot of affect is generated during the class this is both good and difficult. Use the affect to heighten the learning.
Repetition you just dont demonstrate basic skills once and move on. Each dive you get plenty of opportunity to practice your basic skills. You will get better during the course and then afterwards if you continue the drills. The use of the rope line is unique in diver education swimming along it and being prodded to keep in formation to do the skills to keep in communication with other team members is a powerful learning tool.
Video the use of video is also unique in diver education. It is used in other sports to show teams what works and what doesnt. Looking at the video really shows you how you look underwater and what you are actually doing with respect to your own diving and the impact that you have on the team.
Equipment you really do have an opportunity to focus on your gear, how it is set up and why. Other agencies seem to take what you have and work with you as if gearing made no difference
Team building you will spend a lot of time getting to know other team members and reminding yourself why you are taking the class.
Have a great time
What will make it a great experience is GUEs approach to diver education. An approach that is quite different from the larger agencies. These differences are not really the focus of most discussions of DIR. Here are some lessions I took away from my DIR-F class.
Intense: three solid days of classroom, pool and open water work. And long days with an instructor that is willing to spend morning to night with you and your group talking about diving. A lot of affect is generated during the class this is both good and difficult. Use the affect to heighten the learning.
Repetition you just dont demonstrate basic skills once and move on. Each dive you get plenty of opportunity to practice your basic skills. You will get better during the course and then afterwards if you continue the drills. The use of the rope line is unique in diver education swimming along it and being prodded to keep in formation to do the skills to keep in communication with other team members is a powerful learning tool.
Video the use of video is also unique in diver education. It is used in other sports to show teams what works and what doesnt. Looking at the video really shows you how you look underwater and what you are actually doing with respect to your own diving and the impact that you have on the team.
Equipment you really do have an opportunity to focus on your gear, how it is set up and why. Other agencies seem to take what you have and work with you as if gearing made no difference
Team building you will spend a lot of time getting to know other team members and reminding yourself why you are taking the class.
Have a great time
Taking the class in doubles was great because if you have aspirations to go to doubles, they are there to help you through a tough learning experience.
