PADI/NAUI Issues with DIR Techniques?

[MXGratefulDiver]

Does it depend on what kind of students you have? When I did my OW cert (PADI), at the end of the first week, I bought the Divemaster text because I was frustrated at the level at which information was being presented and I just wanted to know more. Some people just WANT to understand things at a deeper level, and I suspect these are precisely the sort of people who would seek out a GUE approach to OW certification in the first place.

But after diving with you that doesn't surprise me at all ... you're the sort of student every instructor loves to get, and rarely does.

I suspect you'll find "The Fundamentals of Better Diving" a rather good read (wanna borrow a copy?)

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[StSomewhere]

How about telling them, "Good job this weekend. I'll see you next weekend when we continue class," instead of "Good job this weekend, here's your c-card!"

Then -- unlike DIR-F -- that means DIR-OW can only serve a local community. And maybe that's the niche that DIR-F will fill, though from what I can tell it will likely reduce the availability of DIR-F instructors.

 

[kidspot]

Might check out the new class structure that 5thd-x is working on/offering - including a new class call "essentials" (go to the X-Education link, then "classes")

There has also been a very interesting discussion on their forum regarding the merits/need for a class specifically for rec divers not interested in pursuing tech classes.

Tim

 

[TSandM]

Yes, Bob, I'd like to borrow it.

I read the stuff on the forum about the DIR-rec class. Sounds like it would be aimed at someone like me, except . . . the list of equipment -- and no discussion of renting! That's a five grand class if you invest in everything.

Thnking about sipping the koolaid . . .

 

[cornfed]

you're the sort of student every instructor loves to get, and rarely does.

He paid in full up front, skipped class and never asked for a refund?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Might check out the new class structure that 5thd-x is working on/offering - including a new class call "essentials" (go to the X-Education link, then "classes")

Hmmm ... based on the structure of the class, curriculum, and equipment requirements ... it sounds like DIR-F.

It is not, however, an accredited class (no C-card), and assumes that you already have at least an OW certification.

Whatever ... if Joe's teaching it, it'll be awesome ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

He paid in full up front, skipped class and never asked for a refund?

Nice troll, Drew ... now get y'er butt back under the bridge ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Yes, Bob, I'd like to borrow it.

I read the stuff on the forum about the DIR-rec class. Sounds like it would be aimed at someone like me, except . . . the list of equipment -- and no discussion of renting! That's a five grand class if you invest in everything.

Thnking about sipping the koolaid . . .

I'll bring the book on Thursday. We can discuss equipment ... for the class, at least, I can help you get what you need.

Resistance is futile ... you WILL be assimilated ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[ranger979]

Yeah, I know what you're saying ... but I see it more as dreams than reality. The guys who are attempting it are more used to dealing with the highly motivated minority than they are the diving public at large ... and those are two very different target demographics.

As someone who works, week in and week out, with recreational students, I'm of the opinion that until the entire industry does an expectation reset, teaching DIR-F skills in OW won't work as a practical business model. It's simply too costly and time-consuming to appeal to a market that generally views it as an unnecessary commodity. That, I believe, is why after two years of talking about a GUE OW class, it still hasn't happened yet.

I also question the feasiblity of such a class. It could work as a niche product but I don't it would ever suceed as a mainstream class. Part of the problem is that most new divers, even highly motivated ones, don't know the amount of work that is involved to master some of the skill that are needed.

I was certified in 1980 and I think I spent $300 on my training, which was a considerable amount of money back then, however, there also weren't a whole lot of options back then. There was one dive shop in the area and it was a matter of paying the money or not diving. Luckily my financial situations were different back then. I was single, in the Army and all my basic living expenses were taken care of so the little money I did make was all discretionary spending.

I consider myself a highly motivated diver, however, if I were to take a certification class today, knowing what I knew prior to being certified, and I were given the option of taking a $100 self study class, a $300 multiple weekend course or a $800, intensive, every day, multiple week course, I would probably pick the $300 class. It's not that I wouldn't have loved to take the $800 course, it simply isn't in my budget. The more I hear about the DIR-F course, the more interested I am in taking it and may very well at some point, however, in the meantime it is all about taking small steps at a time.

By the way, my amounts are totally arbitrary. I have no idea how much a DIR-F course typically runs or how much the proposed DIR OW course would be. I'm just assuming that a very intensive, multiple week class would need to be at least $800-$1000.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I consider myself a highly motivated diver...

Anyone who would drive from Minnesota to Seattle to take a scuba class would be considered a highly motivated diver by anyone's definition of the term ...

FWIW - DIR F is an intensive 3-day class and costs about $300 ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)