DIRF completed, forum question...

[FFMDiver]

Hello:

I completed DIRF training this weekend. Of course I was given a majority ruling of "Fail." This ruling is ok with me - I learned a hell of a lot and it blows PADI's OW out of the water hands down. I plan on building my skills and trying again next year. My question to the forum now is, has anyone passed DIRF with a single AL 80 and a wetsuit (all other gear being DIR of course).

Thank you.

 

[Eric__U]

Im sure there have been several people who passed in that setup. Id think single 80 and a wetsuit would be easier then doubles and a drysuit if anything.

 

[large_diver]

FWIW, I passed using single steel tanks and a wetsuit.....

Doubles and drysuit would certainly be harder....

 

[MechDiver]

blows PADI's OW out of the water hands down

As the two are nowhere similiar, either in purpose or dive level, I would hope so

 

[H2Andy]

it would be most instructional to compare GUE's Open Water course (i think they said it's in the works?) with PADI's. my feeling is that it will cost a lot more and be a lot more comprehensive.

but yeah... seems to me comparing DIR-F and PADI's OW course is like comparing apples and oranges.

question: does any DIR diver know if GUE will go with the
deep stop concept for their open water class (as NAUI has done)?

 

[detroit diver]

My guess would be that most people take the class w/ a single tank, and therefor most who pass would also be in that category. But to get the real answer, ask the guy who teaches most of the classes (other than AG), MHK. You can PM him on this board.

 

[MikeFerrara]

As the two are nowhere similiar, either in purpose or dive level, I would hope so

I don't know about that.

Read the DIRF standards. It reads exactly like that of an OW class with the addition of shooting a lift bag and the equipment requirements. It's all the same skills...ascents, descents, hovering, dive planning, air sharing, mask R&R, weighting, underwater swimming... It's just that in a DIRF they really do the skills. LOL I don't see why they should be much different at all.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I don't know about that.

Read the DIRF standards. It reads exactly like that of an OW class with the addition of shooting a lift bag and the equipment requirements. It's all the same skills...ascents, descents, hovering, dive planning, air sharing, mask R&R, weighting, underwater swimming... It's just that in a DIRF they really do the skills. LOL I don't see why they should be much different at all.

So ... if they're not much different, why do you suppose they require you to have an OW certification as a prerequisite to DIR-F?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MechDiver]

I don't know about that.

Read the DIRF standards. It reads exactly like that of an OW class with the addition of shooting a lift bag and the equipment requirements. It's all the same skills...ascents, descents, hovering, dive planning, air sharing, mask R&R, weighting, underwater swimming... It's just that in a DIRF they really do the skills. LOL I don't see why they should be much different at all.

So, aside from all the differences, its the same thing

Well, I'd say in the real world that an OW class is just that, meant to teach non-divers how to dive. Whether the skills are the same, they are sure not performed at the same level, under non-certified dive conditions.

I really can't believe you even said that Mike.

 

[lragsac]

Hello:

I completed DIRF training this weekend. Of course I was given a majority ruling of "Fail." This ruling is ok with me - I learned a hell of a lot and it blows PADI's OW out of the water hands down. I plan on building my skills and trying again next year. My question to the forum now is, has anyone passed DIRF with a single AL 80 and a wetsuit (all other gear being DIR of course).

Thank you.

I'm not sure what this particular config. has to do with passing the course. The skills are as applicable to warm (or cold) water wetsuit diving as they are to cold water drysuit diving with a steel tank. If anything executing the skills in a wetsuit might be easier, as I think it's easier to reach your valve in a wetsuit than a drysuit and precise buoyancy control is impacted by one less volume of air (that in your drysuit) to manage. At any rate, just be patient and give yourself time to practice, and you will make progress.