I'm Taking the DIR Plunge

[Dan Gibson]

Then someone is or was showing you wrong. It's always been kick than glide before reloading. Some of the videos may be more about showing the entire motion in a limited number of frames. The result being very little gliding is probably show.

btw, if reloading really slows you down a lot, you're using to much upper leg. The frog kick is mainly from the knees down. The upper legs will only slightly move in and out. The modified frog is mostly from the ankles.

Well here is one, I was shown a frog kick (and most every video I see of one) this way:

Starting from a cocked "free dive" position:
Kick, Recock, glide. The motion of recocking your legs is going to slow down your glide.

I improved my range in a cave by about 30%, over the course of two dives doing this following. Kick, glide, recock.

 

[Jasonmh]

...one thing I've noticed on here is that the naysayers never have any valid technical arguments against the system. It's more like excuses and mudslinging, and so predictable that I could probably tell you what political party each of them belongs to.

Really, when you look at the performance and safety records of DIR groups compared to other tech-oriented groups, there is no need for discussion. The numbers speak for themselves....

When you're right, you're right... and you sir are right. It is mind-boggling to hear people put down a system they have no knowledge of. I have to shake my head every time I hear "I would do it, but I like my blue mask".

 

[Jasonmh]

1) ... I know how long it takes for me to shut down the isolator (10-15 seconds) and its not fast enough to get me out of a worst case solo dive.

Not sure what to say to this, but I just started diving doubles this spring, and I can easily isolate in less time than that, and would expect that most people could.

Anyway, Re: DIR-F its a great course, just don't let them hook you up to a battery during the course.

Really, did anyone hook you up to a battery during the course?

Its super easy to think that DIR is the end all-be all of diving after the course. Don't stop thinking just because someone said something was done a certain way. I took and passed a DIR-F first go, but my diving has evolved beyond where DIR can take me.

Really, evolved passed where DIR can take you? It is hard to imagine that after taking FUNDAMENTALS that you were able to somehow evolve beyond that. I thought that FUNDAMENTALS, was... Fundamentals. Did you go on to take anything beyond fundamentals, or did you decide that you had seen it all and knew it all? This is like saying that I "evolved" above PADI OW by taking SSI AOW, because PADI couldn't take me above OW.

And this is where all the DIR divers laugh at my helmet and tell me I'm going to die because I have lights on it.

Thanks for the more exaggeration and spreading more myths. I don't see anywhere on here, ever, where anyone has ever seriously said that you or anyone else is going to die because of a light on a helmet. If you believe that is the best way for you, then go for it.

 

[Henryville]

I had 60 dives when I took Fundies, you're right. And I realize, after reading your post, Henryville, that I don't know anything about the OP, so my advice may be off base. I do know that people have taken the class -- in a single tank -- who had hundreds of dives, and advanced certifications (eg. instructors), and have found the class very challenging that way, and have not passed it..

You better believe it! Despite the name, this is a class that will challenge the most experienced divers. There may be a few like the poster above who go in, pass it on the first go, and say "what's the big deal?," but I think they will be a small, small minority.

I guess I'd revise what I said to this: Don't make major equipment changes immediately before taking the class. Make sure you've done enough dives in whatever you are going to use that the equipment itself is not going to be a challenge to manage, while you are trying to manage everything else.

Still not so sure on this. This can leave plenty of opportunity to switch into the required gear, try to practice with it, and build bad habits. But that's just my opinion, and you've got your own experience and observations to back up your equally valid though different point of view. Where I'm coming from may be assuming too little in hands-on advice/coaching (as opposed to the internet version thereof) from knowledgeable and skilled friends prior to the class. You have a strong DIR community out there so your options for help may have been more numerous than what I had at the time.

 

[RobbieTheHun]

When I took my fundies with Dean (and I got a provisional, by the way), the one thing that I really wasn't prepared for was the level of precision that was expected from my buoyancy control and I did take the class in double AL 80,s. Remaining at a constant depth, static, with trim, or moving from one depth to the other in a timed and completely controlled fashion is paramount in this class, it is the foundation on which all other skills are taught (fining, awareness, rescue, bag deployment etc.)

Failing to remain neutral in the water column while being task loaded is a very common reason for provisional’s in this class and practicing this skill (timed ascent, descent drills etc.) is important. But a word of caution you will be taught the way Dean wants you to be taught, he's earned that right so try not to get into any habits that he will have to work against. You are going to make mistakes, lots of them, they are expected and welcomed from him because it is an important part of the learning process.

Also, do not go in thinking that you will pass this course, be positive of course but keep an open mind and concentrate on the tasks at hand. A lot of information is going to come your way and you will find that everything in DIR is done for a reason.

It has been about 3 months since I took the course and I dive regularly as part of a DIR team and I still don't feel that I'm ready to go back for my check out dive.

In any case I wish you well; you are going to be glad you took this course.

As a footnote GUE is not interested in producing elitist divers, just elite ones, there is a difference.

RTH

 

[Jasonmh]

When I took my fundies with Dean (and I got a provisional, by the way), the one thing that I really wasn't prepared for was the level of precision that was expected from my buoyancy control and I did take the class in double AL 80,s. Remaining at a constant depth, static, with trim, or moving from one depth to the other in a timed and completely controlled fashion is paramount in this class, it is the foundation on which all other skills are taught (fining, awareness, rescue, bag deployment etc.)

Failing to remain neutral in the water column while being task loaded is a very common reason for provisional’s in this class and practicing this skill (timed ascent, descent drills etc.) is important...

Very true. When I took it in doubles the goal was no depth variance and perfect trim during all of the skills, the minimum to pass was no more than +/- 3 feet and no more than 20 degrees off trim.

 

[marusso]

Thank you all for the info. I am very excited to learn and critique my diving skills. I would be lying if I didn't say I wanted to pass the class straight up though. (humbly of course)

Please keep the great info coming, I really appreciate everyone's perspective.

 

[JimC]

Not sure what to say to this, but I just started diving doubles this spring, and I can easily isolate in less time than that, and would expect that most people could.

I believe the performance standard for Tech1 is 30 or 45 seconds / valve? Besides, what do you do when your in a restriction and can't reach the thing? its a great system for team diving, but it's not for solo diving. I only mention this because it was brought up as having a manifold gives you redundancy to solo dive. Ok, but everyone else is on independents or carries a buddy bottle for a reason.

Really, did anyone hook you up to a battery during the course?

No, but we knew that. But DIR training (in fact MOST dive training I have taken) has a lot in common with the basic theories of cohersive mind control. DIR gets extra points for letting you into there little club when you pass, but most of the rest is common in technical training. Intentional or not, it is there.

Really, evolved passed where DIR can take you? It is hard to imagine that after taking FUNDAMENTALS that you were able to somehow evolve beyond that. I thought that FUNDAMENTALS, was... Fundamentals. Did you go on to take anything beyond fundamentals, or did you decide that you had seen it all and knew it all? This is like saying that I "evolved" above PADI OW by taking SSI AOW, because PADI couldn't take me above OW.

Well, it was stressed a number of times that the basics never change as you progress. So I imagine diving sidemount/nomount in almost 0 vis cracks is hard to do DIR. I don't think I need a Cave3 card to comment on that. GUE's cave training is geared to big power cave in Florida and Mexico - just like everyone else's. They just don't offer anything for other environments. Apparently there is a "DIR Sidemount" but you have to be part of the inner circle to know anything about it, nore do they offer and formal training for it.

Thanks for the more exaggeration and spreading more myths. I don't see anywhere on here, ever, where anyone has ever seriously said that you or anyone else is going to die because of a light on a helmet. If you believe that is the best way for you, then go for it.

Ok, so they only laugh at me for the helmet. They do tell me I am going to die because of the solo diving. Asking questions like "do you have life insurance". From people up and down the GUE education chain in my area.

 

[TSandM]

But DIR training (in fact MOST dive training I have taken) has a lot in common with the basic theories of cohersive mind control.

What?

Yeah, the days were long, but we were allowed to eat and go to the bathroom . . .

And we were encouraged to ask questions, and to question what we were being taught. There was no dogma and no indoctrination. It was very clear that the system was being laid out for us to take or leave.

There are a lot of people who think solo diving is excessively dangerous, and lots of them have nothing to do with GUE.

 

[PerroneFord]

Well, it was stressed a number of times that the basics never change as you progress. So I imagine diving sidemount/nomount in almost 0 vis cracks is hard to do DIR. I don't think I need a Cave3 card to comment on that. GUE's cave training is geared to big power cave in Florida and Mexico - just like everyone else's. They just don't offer anything for other environments. Apparently there is a "DIR Sidemount" but you have to be part of the inner circle to know anything about it, nore do they offer and formal training for it.

DIR Sidemount has been discussed several times that I've read about. You don't have to be in any "inner circle". I'm sure not.

Ok, so they only laugh at me for the helmet. They do tell me I am going to die because of the solo diving. Asking questions like "do you have life insurance". From people up and down the GUE education chain in my area.

He (or she) who recovers the body, keeps the gear. That's the only insurance I'm interested in! So ummm, when are you solo diving again? And where...