Disadvantages of DIR ?

[detroit diver]

Of the hundreds of posts about the Fundamentals classes, you are maybe the second person to not have found value in that class.

Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy it. It's not for everyone.

It takes the fun out of it.

In reading the fundamentals book and taking the DIRf class, it was emphasized to me that a goal of DIR was to make recreational diving more fun.

That just wasn't the case. Since taking the class almost three months ago, I've pretty much lost all interest in the sport. I've tried to stay with it, but I just can't.

Did you ever take a class in college thinking that it would point you in the direction you thought you wanted to go only to realize that you were nothing like the instructor or the other students. Not that the subject wasn't for you, just the approach and the people weren't right, at least not for you.

I'll state again as I have before, GUE divers are very skilled, but if your intention is to stay recreational with no intention of moving beyond that, I would suggest avoiding their style/instructor type of training.

 

[reubencahn]

Beyond DIR-F, GUE is technical agency in regards to their training program. If the average recreational diver is a diver not interested in cave exploration and deep wreck penetration then indeed this is not the right training path for them.

The skills and much of the material taught in the DIR-F class though is something that would enhance the diving experience of many and IMHO should be taught in all OW classes.

RecTriox is also a recreational course.

 

[RichLockyer]

but I live in DIR mecca

:06: Oh no. I've been facing High Springs when I pray.
I should be facing Seattle?
I'm doomed!

 

[OE2X]

There are a large number of recreational only DIR divers on this board. They commonly say the same thing - once your skills are in line, it makes diving far MORE fun.

This certainly applies to me. I suffered post fundies depression, but have since worked on it. I see more, enjoy more and feel more competent as a diver. The journey has just begun...

 

[RichLockyer]

This certainly applies to me. I suffered post fundies depression, but have since worked on it. I see more, enjoy more and feel more competent as a diver. The journey has just begun...

That is very common. There are generally two results from DIR-F... the graduate is either more charismatic than a new religious convert, doing everything they can to spread the word (as they understand it) and getting branded a "DIR Lemming".... or they withdraw (slightly), having rearranged the cotton, and continue to learn, realizing that they really didn't know as much as they thought.

DIR-F was an eye-opener for me, and I think that really is the most common response, but we don't realize it because the response includes less cyberdiving and more real diving. Again, the vocal minority drives public opinion.

 

[orcatwiggy]

Would you then suggest taking DIRF as soon as possible after receiving OW certification. Reason being, you already recognize that you really don't know alot and this would just be a continuation of your education?

 

[RichLockyer]

Would you then suggest taking DIRF as soon as possible after receiving OW certification. Reason being, you already recognize that you really don't know alot and this would just be a continuation of your education?

DIR-F would be a tough class to pass for a brand-new OW diver. Unless you are an extremely fast learner and really have your skills down, I think 50 dives in a variety of conditions would be the minimum.

That said, it's a catch-22. That's 50 dives to learn bad habits that you will have to unlearn to pass DIR-F. In a way, I think it is unfortunate that GUE moved the DIR-F class from being an experience class to a certification level class. I do understand the need for it to be a prerequisite to RecTriox and the tech programs, but it also raised the bar for DIR-F itself.

DIR-F was originally developed because people were going into Tech-1, and 2 minutes into the first dive, the instructors knew who would and who would not pass, simply because they lacked the fundamental skills. NAUI also offers a Technical Buoyancy class that is similar to DIR-F

If time and cost is not an object, I would go for DIR-F sometime during my first 10 post-OW dives, or immediately after AOW. I took DIR-F before it was a cert level class, and after I had done about 55 dives. One of the biggest problems we had was zero-viz. This affected the entire class, and I'd have to say that none of us performed phenomenally. I had some equipment issues that created some problems with some of the skills, plus I was weighted for salt water (class was in fresh), and had some buoyancy control problems due to the extra air needed to offset the extra 5-7 pounds.

Not being able to take the time to perhaps have to take the class twice, I'd hold off, but read everything you can, including the fundamentals book. Keep in mind though, that the internet and a book cannot adequately teach you the skills. Getting together with other divers who are skilled CAN teach you the basics and more adequately prepare you for DIR-F.

As far as the attitude, I think there are plenty of OW graduates that think they know everything about rec diving, and that would just carry over to an attitude of "I know everything about DIR" after taking DIR-F immediately following OW.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Take the DIRf ASAP after BOW certification. Do not take the class with the idea of *passing*. Treat the class as if it were still a skills seminar. If they pass you at the end then fine and if not even better... you can practice what you learned and take it again. Remember... it isn't about passing a class... it is about acquiring skills.

 

[WJL]

Would you then suggest taking DIRF as soon as possible after receiving OW certification. Reason being, you already recognize that you really don't know alot and this would just be a continuation of your education?

I took a DIRF course right after my OW certification, so naturally I think that is a fine idea. I took the course before certifications were issued, so there was no card to earn. But I also knew going in that the point for me was to learn basic dive skills, and that I wasn't going to be good enough to "pass" when the class ended.

If you want to learn good basic skills, the sooner you take the class the better. You will learn what you need to practice, which will take more time to perfect than one weekend.

The real value of the class is in showing you what you need to work on, and what you need to do to be proficient. The focus is on education, and the students' concern with "passing" can be a distraction from that goal. If you want to earn a "pass" the first time through the class, you will have to find a way to practice and perfect your skills before the class. Unless you are lucky enough to dive regularly with GUE instructors, this will be tough to do. Few pass the class the first time through, no matter how many dives they have done. So my conclusion is that since you probably won't pass the first time through, you may as well take the class as soon as you can, so you get the benefit of the education as soon as possible.

 

[boomx5]

Take the DIRf ASAP after BOW certification. Do not take the class with the idea of *passing*. Treat the class as if it were still a skills seminar. If they pass you at the end then fine and if not even better... you can practice what you learned and take it again. Remember... it isn't about passing a class... it is about acquiring skills.

Very...very good advise. I have several friends who are pretty new ow divers, but took the DIR-F class anyway. Even though they don't have hundreds of dives under their belt yet, you wouldn't be able to tell. Taking the Fundamental's class has really helped make them very good divers and they look better in the water than people I know who have over a thousand dives.