Rant from new guy

[roakey]

Am I 100% DIR? No, but trying to get there. In this forum the other moderators and I try to keep the answers limited to DIR solutions only. We do our best, and that's the limit of our abilities.

Roak

 

[mempilot]

Hey when I fart I lift up two whole feet! Its true, its true!

I only lift one cheek, so I must be DIW. DIR-F this summer, so don't take any advice from me. I don't know what I'm doing. I can't believe I haven't killed myself yet! Just kidding, but looking forward to the training this summer.

 

[MikeFerrara]

Hello names Rob--- I live in So CA. Been divign for awhile. Been signed up for a while, but I mostly lurk. Until I have something to say. Maybe one of you old timers can enlighten me on a subject that often bugs me. I seem to find that in the DIR hang out, there are a few posers running around giving advice to new DIR type divers. How does one know, if they are new, who is who.
One minute the person is giving advice on DIR the next they claim they claim they are not DIR (when the heat is on, or they are pressed).

Maybe I should just go back to the other DIR sites where this type of thing does not happen. Cause dang I get so frustrated when I read it. Or maybe just hang out with the normal type people and stay out of the "DIR only" site.

Anyways thanks for reading my rant.

Bye

Gee, I'm one of those so I'll answer. Some of the people I dive with are GUE trained and are the real article. Most of the techniques I use are very DIR compatable. I agree with GUE on 99.8% of everything they teach (that I know about). I've even sat in on a DIRF class because I really like watching a good instructor teach.


However, I have no GUE training and I disagree with GUE on at least two issues. I also don't need any label other than the one my parants gave me when I was born and the one that I'm forced to use by the company I work for.

Also notice that when I discuss DIR I don't tell people how to be DIR. Usually I get in when some one argues against techniques that I believe in. You don't have to call yourself DIR to believe in team diving, a specific equipment configuration or good dive planning practices.

Of course you shouldn't consider me an expert on DIR cuz I aint. Does that answer the question?

 

[MASS-Diver]

However, I have no GUE training and I disagree with GUE on at least two issues. QUOTE]

Mike, what are the two issues (if you don't mind sharing)? You can PM me if you don't want to post them here. I've always enjoyed your posts and since I'm about to have my first taste of cool-aid in less than 3 weeks, I'd love to hear your take on this.

 

[MikeFerrara]

However, I have no GUE training and I disagree with GUE on at least two issues. QUOTE]

Mike, what are the two issues (if you don't mind sharing)? You can PM me if you don't want to post them here. I've always enjoyed your posts and since I'm about to have my first taste of cool-aid in less than 3 weeks, I'd love to hear your take on this.

I don't mind telling what they are at all.

The first is more a matter of principle that a real problem but it sticks in my craw anyway. I disagree with expireing certs. Too me a certification is just a certificate of training. It means that I completed a certain course and met the requirements. It doesn't mean that I will meet those standards a year later. I am happy to take on that responsibility myself. Once I pay for training and receive it, our business is concluded and I'll require that they stay out of my shorts until I call them again.

I do understand the values that they're trying to reinforce...stay current, and I agree with it. I just don't need their help to know that if I haven't done a big dive for a while that I need to work back up.

In reality it's no real trouble to send in some log book pages once every few years. Like I say it's just the idea that bothers me...once our business is concluded (class over) the agency needs to get out of my shorts til I call them.

The other issue involves the exploration of caves where backmounts and team diving as defined by GUE won't work. It's a total nonissue for the vast majority of divers and I guess it's not even fair to make it sound like I'm dissing them on it. Also I understand that the GUE charter is to teach DIR which was defined during certain cave explorations and also applies very well to lots of other diving including OW.

Other than that I think they have it pretty much nailed and I think they've done far more than any other agency to actually improve diving for recreational divers.

 

[MASS-Diver]

Thanks Mike

 

[MarcHall]

Hello names Rob--- I live in So CA. Been divign for awhile. Been signed up for a while, but I mostly lurk. Until I have something to say. Maybe one of you old timers can enlighten me on a subject that often bugs me. I seem to find that in the DIR hang out, there are a few posers running around giving advice to new DIR type divers. How does one know, if they are new, who is who.
One minute the person is giving advice on DIR the next they claim they claim they are not DIR (when the heat is on, or they are pressed).

Maybe I should just go back to the other DIR sites where this type of thing does not happen. Cause dang I get so frustrated when I read it. Or maybe just hang out with the normal type people and stay out of the "DIR only" site.

Anyways thanks for reading my rant.

Bye

Rob

What you state is a problem.

I have few suggestions

1. Subscribe to quest on the GUE website which does cost money.

2. Until you learn who is who read each post with a healthy degree of skeptism.

3. Watch for posts by GUE instructors, there are a few of us who read this board and will post on occasion.

4. Query one of the GUE instructors by email or pm.

Take care

Marc Hall
www.enjoythedive.com

 

[db8us]

The other issue involves the exploration of caves where backmounts and team diving as defined by GUE won't work. It's a total nonissue for the vast majority of divers and I guess it's not even fair to make it sound like I'm dissing them on it.

Hmmm of course there are caves were backounts and team-diving might not work, but i think there are still enough where you can push it pretty good as a team with backmounts.

About the renewal:
I think it is good for instructors that they also do some "real" diving beyond only teaching their students....

About the DIR-dudes in general: In my opinion most of them are very active divers and usually very friendly and helpful.
They do workshops, talks, equipment-try-outs and most of them just because they are convinced that the system improved their scuba-activities a lot.
To some, this seem to be like a cult, or religion, but i would rather call it enthusiasm !

I still laugh, when i think back about the time i was diving with bungee-wings, steel-stages, poor buddy-skills...
I was rather struggling with myself and the gear instead of enjoying diving and watch for my buddy and the cave.
Of course, at that time i thought i was pretty good...
Well, until i dove with some DIR-dudes....

Michael

 

[MikeFerrara]

Hey Michael you don't stop in often enough.

Hmmm of course there are caves were backounts and team-diving might not work, but i think there are still enough where you can push it pretty good as a team with backmounts.

I agree and as I said it's not relevant for the vast majority of divers.

About the renewal:
I think it is good for instructors that they also do some "real" diving beyond only teaching their students....

Good point. When it comes to instructors, I wish all agencies would do periodic reviews of instructors skills and activity.