What sealed the deal on DIR-F for you?
- Thread starter Brian Gilpin
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gr8white:
That's hilarious! I usually get some light hearted ribbing for actually buying my knife rather than swiping one. We did learn that you can buy those same steak knives from Victoria Knox (sp?) for $5, and cut them down yourself to aviod any criminal activities.
For my wife and I, what drove us to DIR-F was a desire to be safer divers. Following the good advice on this board, we purchased the Fundamentals and PADI AOW books to see what each course offered. The AOW seemed like a resort dive weekend of experience, and the Fundamentals book seemed to have more of what we were looking for. So we went with Fundamentals (twice before passing), and have been extremely happy with what we learned.
Boomx5's advice and encouragement was another reason we went the DIR-F route. From this site and others, DIR divers seemed to be "dive Nazis" to use someone elses words. Boomx5 was the exact opposite of what we had read about DIR from the anti-DIR crowd, and his guidance was a major factor in why we went this route.
Before the class I had roughly 30 dives over the course of 16 years. Since the class and the purchase of our own gear in May of this year, I've racked up another 65 dives, and am 5 dives from breaking 100. I'm definitely hooked on diving, and the skills I learned in DIR-F really helped with that.
~ Jason
kalvyn
Guest
Hehehe, I know the feeling... except the first time I dove with him I'd already done my fundies course.Snowbear:
The reason I chose to take fundies was sort of ego driven. I had really REALLY gotten the diving bug after getting certified and planned on diving localy as often as I could. When I get my teeth into something I want to be the best I can be at it, and DIR-f seemed the logical place to start. The focus on safety and team diving really caught my attention, as I didn't feel I was getting that with the folks I was diving with the first couple dives I made in the Sound after certification. Fortunately I met Bob (NWGratefulDiver) soon thereafter, who was the first person to tell me I would probably go the DIR route. How did you know, Bob?
I am glad I did my fundies class right after certification, just as I'm glad I bought "the gear" as my first (and so far only) hardware purchase. I am certainly still a long way from being the best I can be, but I truly believe that I've come a long way, and quickly, as a result of the fundies class I took last year in April.
Jimmie
boomx5
Contributor
Ben_ca:When I grow up I want to be just like him
yes, but for now young "Ben_ca"nobi...you'll still be my Padawan learner.
- Messages
- 97,988
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- 99,502
- Location
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Snowbear:
Funny now other divers can influence ya ... my decision was based on diving with Uncle Pug and Snowbear ... who's skills caused me to realize I was just a mediocre diver with lots of dives ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
- Messages
- 97,988
- Reaction score
- 99,502
- Location
- On the Fun Side of Trump's Wall
- # of dives
- 2500 - 4999
kalvyn:Fortunately I met Bob (NWGratefulDiver) soon thereafter, who was the first person to tell me I would probably go the DIR route. How did you know, Bob?
Jimmie
Perhaps it was the kool-aid stains on your drysuit ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Once I started cold water diving I understood how poor my skills were (are). I decided that just because I had a lot of experience I needed to be pushed hard. DIR-f seemed like the vehicle for that. Like Jimmy I like to strive to be the best that I can be and with the GUE curriculm I'll always be learning and only be a half rate diver. I marvel at really good divers and wish I could be like them (Uncle Pug, NWGrateful Diver, etc...)
I was forced to go at gun point(or maybe knife point). Then again it might have been some other coercive influence. Anyways I went, I learned, and now incorporate much of it into my OW course.
For now I can only dream of getting the chance to dive with Uncle Pug and NWGrateful Diver.
For now I can only dream of getting the chance to dive with Uncle Pug and NWGrateful Diver.
Ben_ca
Contributor
boomx5:yes, but for now young "Ben_ca"nobi...you'll still be my Padawan learner.
LOL
Does that mean I have to lug your Double 95's? :11:
jbd:
Me so funny
For me, it was simple. I wanted to see for myself what all the hoopla was about. I wasn't going to be satisfied simply reading about this new and different way of looking at things on the internet. Please. I wanted to dive in and see what the deal really was.
It was exciting and challenging, and humiliating and humbling and just tons of fun. The only people who I don't think had fun were the people that went in with the wrong attitude.
I was part of the first DIR/F held at Catalina (in So Cal) a couple of years ago. I can mark those early months (DEMA and finding Scubaboard in October, getting my DS in December, my BP/W in Jan, DIR/F in Mar) as the period that changed the way I dive.
K
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