Otter:
The Equipment Requirement paragraph 1 are for student and instructor. There are exclusions for snorkel for Ice, Cavern, and Wreck and subsequent paragraphs contain additional requirements for Instructors.
On the twin bottle question, I wasn't trying to be a smart alec. Not knowing the content of the course, I could see where the O/W course could be something far exceeding PADI/NAUI/SSI O/W. Maybe on Dive 10, doubles are introduced. This would seem to fill the gap between O/W and DIR-F (where doubles are expected).
Hi Otter,
There really is no "gap" between open water & DIRF. DIRF is what all OW students should have had in thier beginning class. Fundamentals is exactly that...."fundamentals". I believe that by teaching the student the correct skills from day one, then the student will not encounter the "forget what you've already learned, because in this "type" of diving we do it xxxxx way." I really don't believe that a diver should learn several "types" of diving. There is "diving" and that's all. I use the same technique and gear config for an open water dive as I would for cave dive or a deep water dive....I may need more gas, or a reel & spool... etc, but the responses, technique, and skills are exactly the same. The level of the mastery of the basic techniques should be to a much higher degree for the diver going into an overhead environment or into the deeper water, but the skills are all the same.
Regarding the "long hose", the PADI standard is referring to a hose that when it is in place, sticks out so far as to protrude from the diver and create a snag hazard as well as increased drag. The long hose, when used properly, does neither and actually is less protruding than the standard hose seen in conventionally rigged divers.
As far as twins are concerned, I didn't think you were being a smart alec. My question was solely regarding the use of twins by the instructor. I do know what the standards state and there is no prohibition of the instructor using twinned up bottles. My question was a rhetorical one. I would consider it irresponsible to teach a new diver and set
them up in twins. Why rush any student into this? Part of the fun of diving is the journey from basic to advanced. Gaining experience and learning allows the student to form a broader knowledge and skill base on which to build their diving "career" (for lack of a better term). All too often I've witnessed new divers go from OW to "tech" in a year or two w/less than hundred dives under their belt in very mundane environments. There is much that can only be learned via "experience". I think this points to a community wide problem that is fueled by the industry's need to make money by selling more gear.
The DIRF is also not about twins nor are they required in the DIRF. Many students show up using twins because they have been diving for many years and are engaging in diving that involves environments that necessitate the use of twins, but for some reason feel that the training they rec'd up to that date has left out some of the "fundamentals" of diving. Once again, maybe they have moved too quickly into diving environments that necessitate a higher degree of skill mastery.
I hope this does not come off as a "lecture". From your post it sounds as if you may be under the impression that the DIRF is about tech diving or for folks in twins only. This misconception is very common. I personally, would like folks to understand that DIR, while born from cave divers, is not about "tech" or "cave"...it is simply about diving... period. I thoroughly enjoy 20' reefs and even playing around in the quarry on the plane or bus, but I also thoroughly enjoy cave and deep wrecks. I want all my students to know that all of it is simply "diving" and that they are very capable of diving any of these environments comfortably after gaining much experience and more training from a knowledgeable and skilled instructor. I try to avoid further polarizing of the community w/the "us vs. them" mentality that seems to be prevalant regarding "DIR"....funny thing I notice is that the folks doing much of the "polarizing" have never been educated about "DIR" other than reading the Net rantings from some very zealous folks...on both sides of the issue. And while I can appreciate a high degree of enthusiasm for diving, the arguing really has been detrimental to the community as a whole...IMHO.
Once again, I hope this does not come off as condascending or condemning in any way...just a few thoughts I had that sprung up from your posts....also maybe shouldn't have had that second cup of coffee...
best regards,
brando
