DIR for Tech diving?

[Mr Carcharodon]

TS&M is right about not convincing everyone. I took a class six years ago and one of the instructors (there were several) was adamantly against a long hose. He was convinced it was a strangulation hazard and that it took much longer to deploy. I demonstrated that it took less time for me to deploy my long hose that it did for him to find his octo. Was he won over. Absolutely not. Evidence presented before his eyes contrary to his preconceived notions was unpersuasive. Some people cannot be helped. But some can be, so you chip away a little at a time.

 

[50Fathom]

As a newly-minted OW Instructor, (passed my NAUI ITC today), I will say this...

(and I've had more than a few "celebratory drinks", so please forgive me if I overstep my bounds...)

You will NEVER win over the "Old Guard" types who own/run the shops, dive outfits, manufacturers and call the shots at the major training agencies. It ain't gonna happen.

BUT, now you DO get to influence the NEXT generation of divers. The "New Guard" as it were. If they see optimum gear configurations and procedures from the get-go, then that's what they'll emulate. They'll have no frame of reference. You'll be able to literally SHAPE and MAKE them as divers.

BP/Ws, long hoses, "Fundies-style OW courses", and OW students being exposed to perfect "cave trim" and higher standards of excellence?

That's the future. But only if you make it so. I NEVER wanted to be an instructor. Ask my wife, who got me down this path. But now, I realize that I can influence the course of the dive industry one student at a time. Yeah, I'll lose some, but for every one I "save", we're that much stronger.

It's a long-term commitment though, and one that takes a huge ability to swallow sh*t. "Yes sir, no sir, three bags full!" is your mantra. Until you can "yes sir" your way into a leadership position in an agency in a way to affect change, you can't do much.

"Yes sir" your current leaders to death. Work your way up the ranks. Kill them with kindness, don't make waves. Think of it like the Soviet system, where you are politicking and ass-kissing to get ahead, but then use your authority and position to forward your own agenda. In this case, the agenda is to foster the DIR mindset, ideals, gear configuration and procedures on the next crop of divers. It CAN be done, but it takes work, dedication and working within the system to make it happen.

Think of it like an insurgency. They work, since I've seen their success rates. DIR penetration into the mainstream dive agencies and curricula is going to be conducted like an insurgency. Win the "hearts and minds", show the populace a better alternative to the accepted mainstreams, and THEY will be the ones to demand more.

I'm doing my part with my cell here in central Texas.

DIR Insurgent.

Keep the faith.

 

[Tortuga68]

Send Halemano around to talk some sense into them, that oughta do it

 

[randytay]

As a newly-minted OW Instructor, (passed my NAUI ITC today), I will say this...

(and I've had more than a few "celebratory drinks", so please forgive me if I overstep my bounds...)

You will NEVER win over the "Old Guard" types who own/run the shops, dive outfits, manufacturers and call the shots at the major training agencies. It ain't gonna happen.

BUT, now you DO get to influence the NEXT generation of divers. The "New Guard" as it were. If they see optimum gear configurations and procedures from the get-go, then that's what they'll emulate. They'll have no frame of reference. You'll be able to literally SHAPE and MAKE them as divers.

BP/Ws, long hoses, "Fundies-style OW courses", and OW students being exposed to perfect "cave trim" and higher standards of excellence?

That's the future. But only if you make it so. I NEVER wanted to be an instructor. Ask my wife, who got me down this path. But now, I realize that I can influence the course of the dive industry one student at a time. Yeah, I'll lose some, but for every one I "save", we're that much stronger.

It's a long-term commitment though, and one that takes a huge ability to swallow sh*t. "Yes sir, no sir, three bags full!" is your mantra. Until you can "yes sir" your way into a leadership position in an agency in a way to affect change, you can't do much.

"Yes sir" your current leaders to death. Work your way up the ranks. Kill them with kindness, don't make waves. Think of it like the Soviet system, where you are politicking and ass-kissing to get ahead, but then use your authority and position to forward your own agenda. In this case, the agenda is to foster the DIR mindset, ideals, gear configuration and procedures on the next crop of divers. It CAN be done, but it takes work, dedication and working within the system to make it happen.

Think of it like an insurgency. They work, since I've seen their success rates. DIR penetration into the mainstream dive agencies and curricula is going to be conducted like an insurgency. Win the "hearts and minds", show the populace a better alternative to the accepted mainstreams, and THEY will be the ones to demand more.

I'm doing my part with my cell here in central Texas.

DIR Insurgent.

Keep the faith.

Congrats on passing your ITC. I'm, working towards it; 2 more steps to go and probably take your path. But ow, i just have to dive, dive and dive. Would love to meet you some time

 

[matt_w]

That is a great idea. I will try that one. The only person who "subscribed" to my rig etc was a newly certified open diver whose checkout dive I was present as a DMC. He was trying to emulate the frog kick, and I have to pull him aside and stop him from doing that. (I don't want to get into trouble with my instructor who has already banned me from using my BP/W). Anyway, after he got certified, he called me to go on a dive with him and he was just convinced that the rig I had was much superior to what he was taught on. He has since signed up for UTD's essential course.

From the above experience, what I can conclude is that a new diver with no prior experience and/or perception, will choose the HOG setup if they were given a fair chance to weigh the pros and cons for themselves. What I am trying to do is to get that chance to everyone.

Hard to imagine an instructor get mad about a frog kick. I could name at least 15 PADI instructors i have worked with that never do any tech diving and frog kick most of the time. I would question the qualifications to teach of anyone that had a problem with you or a student using a frog kick. Quarries everywhere would have much better vis if all the students had a good frog kick.

I dive with my BP/W with OW students all the time, but I do have to keep an Octo in the triangle...

 

[randytay]

Hard to imagine an instructor get mad about a frog kick. I could name at least 15 PADI instructors i have worked with that never do any tech diving and frog kick most of the time. I would question the qualifications to teach of anyone that had a problem with you or a student using a frog kick. Quarries everywhere would have much better vis if all the students had a good frog kick.

I dive with my BP/W with OW students all the time, but I do have to keep an Octo in the triangle...

He has no problem with me doing the frog kick, but if he sees a new OW student doing it, the first thing he would probably assumed that I taught him that. Remember as a DMC, I am not suppose to teach; I am just trying to complete my DM course peacefully.

***deleted a sentence. some kind soul pointed it out to me that it may come across as condescending which was not my intention. My sincere apologies to anyone who may have been offended by it ***

 

[rjack321]

My dive buddies are good friends, instructors and we learn something from each other often - so I certainly recommend them. And I will happily dive with you if you get out here for an IDC with them or just diving.

That said, I think you're making a mistake confusing UTD with DIR. UTD makes and promotes as much non-DIR crap as scubapro or seaquest etc at this point.

 

[randytay]

My dive buddies are good friends, instructors and we learn something from each other often - so I certainly recommend them. And I will happily dive with you if you get out here for an IDC with them or just diving.

That said, I think you're making a mistake confusing UTD with DIR. UTD makes and promotes as much non-DIR crap as scubapro or seaquest etc at this point.

Thank you in advance for the offer.

I know UTD does DIR and non-DIR. Jeff made it clear to me what is and what isn't and at the moment, I am doing the DIR aspect of it. I always believed that there is no such thing as too much knowledge; and since my experience with UTD has been very positive so far, I am comfortable learning whatever they throw at me, DIR or not

 

[Tortuga68]

That said, I think you're making a mistake confusing UTD with DIR. UTD makes and promotes as much non-DIR crap as scubapro or seaquest etc at this point.

I thought DIR was about the philosophy not the equipment

 

[rjack321]

Thank you in advance for the offer.

I know UTD does DIR and non-DIR. Jeff made it clear to me what is and what isn't and at the moment, I am doing the DIR aspect of it. I always believed that there is no such thing as too much knowledge; and since my experience with UTD has been very positive so far, I am comfortable learning whatever they throw at me, DIR or not

Brian and Jeanna know that if throw BS at you they'll have to answer to me!!! When are you coming? I'll free up my schedule and be a student... ;