Rainer
Contributor
Jax, congrats on the experience. Sorry to hear, though, things didn't run as smoothly as you'd have liked. Here are some of my thoughts based on what you've written and stories I've heard from others (mostly directed to those contemplating taking Fundies in the future):
(1) Six person classes are to be avoided. I'm sure some of you have had positive experiences in such classes, but the overwhelming reports I've heard have been less than stellar. 30-40 minutes in the water per day is just inexcusable. Seriously, it's impossible to make reasonable progress with so little in-water time. I think the ideal class size is three (as Richard noted above, especially for Cave and Tech classes). That guarantees just one team, maximizes time in water, and three vs two allows for more interesting failure scenarios.
(2) Students should have similar objectives. I hear more positive class reports when all students are going for either rec or tech passes, than when mixed groups attempt the class. I understand the scheduling issues that lead to some instructors mixing students with 25 dives with those with 500+ looking for a tech pass, but I don't think it serves either type of student well.
(3) The open ocean should be avoided. I hate hearing how dives are lost due to sea sickness on a boat or surf conditions that do not allow shore entry. A quarry, a lake, or a sheltered cove/site will significantly increase the amount of dive time to down time. [This is perhaps less of an issue of you're taking the class locally, with a local instructor, such that arrangements can be more easily/cheaply made if you get blown out.] Personally, I'd also look to avoid multiple days spent in a (shallow) pool. Having a 20' pool is one thing, but doing the first half+ of the class in <10' isn't going to be as productive as having some more depth (where timed ascents, air-sharing ascents, and bag shoots are all best done a bit deeper).
(4) Totally agree that one should have a few dozen dives in the gear configuration to be used in class.
(5) As Blackwood noted above, everything gets easier if you can manage to relax. Excessive stress is a huge hindrance to learning.
(6) The value of the GUE training for some will be in the personal skills. For others, it's in the style of diving and the community that subscribes to it. While it sounds like you might be "done" with DIR/GUE, do try to hook up with some similarly trained divers outside of class and give the system a shot. I personally find it amazingly rewarding.
(1) Six person classes are to be avoided. I'm sure some of you have had positive experiences in such classes, but the overwhelming reports I've heard have been less than stellar. 30-40 minutes in the water per day is just inexcusable. Seriously, it's impossible to make reasonable progress with so little in-water time. I think the ideal class size is three (as Richard noted above, especially for Cave and Tech classes). That guarantees just one team, maximizes time in water, and three vs two allows for more interesting failure scenarios.
(2) Students should have similar objectives. I hear more positive class reports when all students are going for either rec or tech passes, than when mixed groups attempt the class. I understand the scheduling issues that lead to some instructors mixing students with 25 dives with those with 500+ looking for a tech pass, but I don't think it serves either type of student well.
(3) The open ocean should be avoided. I hate hearing how dives are lost due to sea sickness on a boat or surf conditions that do not allow shore entry. A quarry, a lake, or a sheltered cove/site will significantly increase the amount of dive time to down time. [This is perhaps less of an issue of you're taking the class locally, with a local instructor, such that arrangements can be more easily/cheaply made if you get blown out.] Personally, I'd also look to avoid multiple days spent in a (shallow) pool. Having a 20' pool is one thing, but doing the first half+ of the class in <10' isn't going to be as productive as having some more depth (where timed ascents, air-sharing ascents, and bag shoots are all best done a bit deeper).
(4) Totally agree that one should have a few dozen dives in the gear configuration to be used in class.
(5) As Blackwood noted above, everything gets easier if you can manage to relax. Excessive stress is a huge hindrance to learning.
(6) The value of the GUE training for some will be in the personal skills. For others, it's in the style of diving and the community that subscribes to it. While it sounds like you might be "done" with DIR/GUE, do try to hook up with some similarly trained divers outside of class and give the system a shot. I personally find it amazingly rewarding.
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I hope to do that! Preferably without seas that hit 4' . . . :yuck:
