Novice Diver Seeking Advice

[ScubaRev]

I've been lurking around SB for a few months and decided to take the plunge with a DIR post. I'm a novice diver (OW - Aug 2006) with 14 logged dives. I came to diving a little later in life; I'm 49 going on 50. I was trained by a friend who is a PADI instructor. He's an excellent diver and instructor, and thanks to our relationship, all instruction was one on one. While shopping around for gear, I stumbled across the DIR method and this forum. I'm very impressed and interested in this disciplined approach to diving. Intuitively, it all makes sense. I was also motivated by the 5thD-X DVD on diving "Essentials." The finely honed buoyancy control and technique are a joy to watch. This is definitely something I'd like to incorporate in my diving.

So here's my question: What's the best way for me to go? Do I get my bp/w and long hose and start practicing? Or is this better done under the tutelage of an instructor from the start? Should I continue diving with my borrowed bc-vest for a while or just make the jump before I get too used to the alternative? Does it make any difference in the long run?

Thanks for any advice you can give.

 

[TSandM]

If you're up for the gear purchase, do it now. Get set up with the BP/W, long hose configuration. You're lucky where you are -- You have a large and VERY active community of DIR divers in your area. You can sign up on the SoCal DIR forum here to talk directly to them, or PM HBDiveGirl or Mo2vation. Somebody will help you get your harness set up, and show you the basics of handling the gear. And you can get some dives in with people who have had training, to give you a better idea of what you're looking to do.

I would also recommend buying Jablonski's book, The Fundamentals of Better Diving, and Dan Mackay's book, Dress for Success. They are both good resources for getting your gear together and set up properly.

My personal feeling is that DIR-F is best taken once you have fairly good basic buoyancy control (meaning, you can swim a pattern between 25 and 15 feet without corking). And that takes as long as it takes. I did the class at 60 dives, and I was weak; others have taken it earlier and done OK.

I think you'll find that going this way enriches your diving immensely. It certainly did mine.

 

[H2Andy]

yeah, start doing it right as soon as possible

less bad habits to break later on

the gear alone will make a huge difference. deffinetly read the book. look for DIR buddies. get about 50 dives in you, then take DIR-F

 

[rjack321]

1) Start with the BP+wing, and proper hoses. Don't worry about the canister light.
2) find a mentor to help make sure its setup reasonably close,
3) find a buddy that is interested in the same goals and general process as you and dive together
4) at the point where you aren't constantly bumping the bottom at depth or corking to the surface from 15ft take the class.

Either the 5thd-X version or DIRF.

Plan to: 1) learn alot about your weaknesses, 2) not pass the class 1st try, 3) practice more with that buddy 4) come back for your checkout in 4-7 months.

 

[Jasonmh]

What everyone else said. Find some DIR buddies (you should have no trouble in your area) and they can help you with advice. You might want to talk to MHK (GUE instructor in your area), and also you might want to check out www.direxplorers.com to look for some buddies in your area also. Have fun, and I think you will find (like I did) that most DIR divers are great with helping out a newbie.

 

[DIR-Atlanta]

Ditto all the above. I'll add that if you get the BP/W before taking a Fundies class, make sure you get with someone knowledgeable to help you get everything adjusted correctly. One of the biggest problems people have when using a harness for the first time is that it doesn't fit properly. When you take the class, they will go over how to adjust everything, but if you are wanting to practice before you enroll (which I highly recommend), then you need to have it set up right from the get-go.

 

[TSandM]

If you sign into the SoCal DIR forum, you'll see that Michael Kane is inviting the general public to attend the opening night's lecture of his next DIR-F class on November 14th. That might be a good place to start!

 

[rongoodman]

I'm pretty much at the same point you are, and my reaction to DIR when I first ran across it here was just the same as yours--"It just makes sense". Buy the gear and dive with it. There's lots of information on setting it up, and when I took Fundies in September, they only made a couple of tweaks to mine. It was a great class, I was nowhere near ready for it, and I can't wait to go back next year in doubles and try for a tech pass. Good luck.

 

[Ben_ca]

If you sign into the SoCal DIR forum, you'll see that Michael Kane is inviting the general public to attend the opening night's lecture of his next DIR-F class on November 14th. That might be a good place to start!

DIR-F Opening night lecture 11/14th

Do'nt buy anything right now.... just dig out a notebook write down all the questions you may have.... then sit in on the lecture and then ask questions.... as far as gear goes there's a lot of guys with 2 or 3 sets... (I have 2) that they are more than happy to loan out.

edit; spelling

 

[MHK]

I was trained by a friend who is a PADI instructor. He's an excellent diver and instructor, and thanks to our relationship, all instruction was one on one. While shopping around for gear, I stumbled across the DIR method and this forum.
So here's my question: What's the best way for me to go? Do I get my bp/w and long hose and start practicing? Or is this better done under the tutelage of an instructor from the start? Should I continue diving with my borrowed bc-vest for a while or just make the jump before I get too used to the alternative? Does it make any difference in the long run?

Thanks for any advice you can give.

A couple of points that bear commenting. I'm sure your friend did an excellent job training you and that as a result of your relationship the one on one instructor was pretty carefully supervised. As a side note, I resist the temptation to teach one on one as my feeling is that a HUGE part of basic instruction is to learn to incorporate team diving protocols into your diving. That simply isn't possible when doing one on one instruction, but that aside my advice to you would be to feel free in joining my opening night lecture on 11/14th for my next DIR-F class. We will hold the lecture at Hollywood Divers. It begins at 6:30pm promptly and will end at approximately 10:30pm.

If your schedule allows, I will be at Casino Point this Saturday working with students that have previously taken the class and were awarded a provisional rating. I would be happy to help you with any questions you may have, and I could also bring a BP & wing for you to try. I'd avoid spending any money on gear right now, but if you are going to spend money, and your intention is to go the DIR route then PM me and we can get into recommendations that may help you avoid buyer's remorse ;-)

Hope that helps..