Doing It Prejudiced

[Green_Manelishi]

Well - that's prejudice pure and simple in my book

Your book is wrong. Stop smoking. You made a choice to smoke. They make a choice to not instruct persons engaging in activities that are not conducive to health. If they were to say "NO blacks, chinese ..." etc. that would be prejudice.

 

[divealaska]

Kim,
While I wont pretend to represent GUE in any way other than as a life long student of diving, I may be able to offer you some insight into your frustration. You acknowledge that smoking is unhealthy, and it does limit respiratory function. Because one of the main philosophies of DIR diving is team unity, if one member has physical limitations (or risk factors) the whole team assumes those risks. Much like your light is a "team resource" so are your lungs, brain, and awareness. GUE does address caffeine and alcohol, in fact if you ever manage to take one of their classes, you'll find out that you'll sign an agreement not to drink during any diving activities. I know when someone tells you that your "hgabits" somehow preclude you from an activity you love, it's natural to become defensive and insulted. Put that aside and use it to motivate you to safe your own life by quitting smoking. Until then, dive safe and dive often.

 

[Kim]

His first class was prior to it becoming a certification-level class.
The application still had the same language on it, and smoking was forbidden, but they were not as tight on sticking to the rules in those days. Back then, one of the goals was to introduce the skills and experience to as many divers as possible... it fell under "don't ask, don't tell"

I don't think I was a member of the board at that time. However it was reading about his second (I believe) course and in particular - RavenC's class report - that created the most interest for me. Presumably he gave up smoking to do the second course? Would it be possible that he did that as a result of what he learnt on the first course? While I can see what some of you are saying about the effects on the team etc, I think that I like - "Back then, one of the goals was to introduce the skills and experience to as many divers as possible..." - more. I have read a few times that GUE training goes into the 'why' of things more than other agency's. A few people on this thread (and off it) have tried very hard to explain that 'why' to me - thank you for that - I have learnt a few things here. Without this thread I would never have learnt them - as GUE no longer teaches them to smokers. Again, their right, but a pity. It probably sounds amazing to non-smokers that smokers don't know all this automatically - maybe we do somewhere deep down - however suppression is a powerful force. A lot of people do all kinds of things that are directly bad for themselves, or their environment, and never give it a second thought!

 

[WaterDawg]

It probably sounds amazing to non-smokers that smokers don't know all this automatically - maybe we do somewhere deep down - however suppression is a powerful force. A lot of people do all kinds of things that are directly bad for themselves, or their environment, and never give it a second thought!

thats true Kim, and im glad your being honest w/ everyone about what you've learned, and how you feel.
So did you ever read Seajays class report??? Also Kim read a report of the RB training @ Gary & C's website www.toriitraining.com OMG its awsome!

 

[Mako Mark]

but they were not as tight on sticking to the rules in those days.

"doing it nearly right"

 

[Foo]

"doing it nearly right"

I don't have a side in this debate, but surely even the stakeholders can admit that THIS is funny!

 

[Mako Mark]

I don't have a side in this debate, but surely even the stakeholders can admit that THIS is funny!

I must admit Foo that the inter agency arguments always make me laugh, that is why I joke about it. The truth is that no one is prefect and which is better is strictly a matter of personal opinion.

I think that the prejudice that DIR has (about being the best and only way to dive) is kind of like saying that humans are the ultimate end of evolution.

500 million years ago jellyfish were the most highly developed animals on earth and they probably thought the same thing.

If DIR exists for any length of time, there will inevitably be changes, therefore the things that they are doing now that will change in the future are technically wrong!

Personally I think DIR has some great ideas, but it is far from perfect, the only thing that is perfect on this earth is my daughter.

 

[Foo]

the only thing that is perfect on this earth is my daughter.

You obviously have never seen my grandson.

 

[RichLockyer]

If DIR exists for any length of time, there will inevitably be changes, therefore the things that they are doing now that will change in the future are technically wrong!

Personally I think DIR has some great ideas, but it is far from perfect, the only thing that is perfect on this earth is my daughter.

DIR itself has changed very little. There have been some refinements, as well as acceptance of some new technology such as HID primary lights, but as far as DIR-F, what I was saying is that the primary focus of the class is no longer as an introduction to DIR and technical diving... it is now a prerequisite for ALL other GUE classes.

This doesn't represent a change in DIR, only the goal of the class.

 

[Doof]

Here's how I see it... and you can take this with a grain of salt considering I've never taken a GUE course.

GUE espouses the ideals of DIR. DIR includes many aspects: gear configuration, diving techniques / skillsets, and physical and mental conditioning.

Despite what anybody may personally feel about these ideals, these ARE the ideals of DIR. And since it's GUE's mission to teach these ideals, don't you think it would be rather hypocritical of them to allow violations of these ideals? Especially at the Fundamentals level, which is the foundation for all other classes taught by GUE.

If your foundation is fundamentally flawed, then the house ain't gonna stand for long...