Why YOU should take DIR-F (Fundies)...

[limeyx]

I still think that once you bring a camera, DIR goes out the windows as your attention is so incredibly narrow while taking pictures that you'll have no clue what's going on in your surroundings

Not really, but you do need a "DIR" buddy preferrably two.
Yes, it is harder no doubt, and it helps if your buddies are able and willing to treat the camera diver as the "weaker" buddy.

We have the policy that any film/photos etc. taken on a dive are equally "owned" by the entire team, and seen as a shared benefit.

There are times when I am videoing that I dont pay as good attention to my buddies, and they do try to keep their lights out of my field of view, so it's definitely more difficult, but I would say doable as long as you always realize safety is more important than any "shot" and try to be realistic about your teams comfort zone and limitations

 

[jeckyll]

limeyx: Good point about the "weaker" buddy.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind 'mugging' for the camera, how else would I get pictures of me diving.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

What I have said repeatedly, and will continue to say until somebody convinces me it isn't true, is that GUE Fundamentals is the only class which is widely available (outside of cave country, for example) that teaches the skills it does to the purely recreational diver.

Maybe you could expand on what you mean by “teaching” skills? In my experience the skills were demonstrated, but there was essentially nothing beyond that done to teach how to perform the skills. If I just wanted a demonstration I could have watched the 5th-D video. We did the video tape reviews where it was pointed out some things did not go well, but there were few suggestions on what could be done to improve, or what concretely was wrong. Absent a discussion with specifics on what to do, and what not to do, there is little point in the video review. In essence the discussion was “you did that badly, now go practice”. Well practice what? There has been a great deal of practicing post class most of it with my team mates. But a lot of that practice has been less effective than it might have been since none of us are experts and we do not have a consensus on the details of the skills. That should have been taught in the class but it was not. The inability to communicate, or to teach, is not unique to GUE. But I have to say the quality of teaching left a lot to be desired.

Ok the last paragraph was venting some frustration with my experience. The skills taught [sic] are of some value even if the methods employed to teach are ineffective. But don’t expect the class to teach you anything that you could not go out and learn on your own, since that is largely what you will have to do anyway.

 

[TSandM]

That was a very different experience from my Fundies class. I had Steve grab my fins underwater and pattern me through the frog kick, and it really helped. We reviewed the videos and had very specific things we were to change or improve. It did take a lot of practice afterward, though.

 

[alan_lee]

Very good topic. I don't post much but I read most of the threads around here.

Here is my perspective. I have recently taken a fundamentals class and many of my dive buddies just can't understand why I would want to subject myself to the type of rigorous training offered by GUE. The short answer is that I just want to be a better diver, but there is a little more to it than that.

Over the last several years I have taken many classes, some good and some not so much. In an attempt to keep getting better, I went from OW to instructor in 2 years, but there was always something missing. I have recently felt like I was no longer improving my skills. Not only were my skills not getting any better but my excitement for the sport had plateaued as well.

So I started exploring tech diving classes and what it would take to do different types of dives. I talked to almost every tech shop in my region. Many times I was warned to stay away from the DIR zealots out there with their Jet fins and poor attitudes. After much research, exploring the web, and trying to look at what was best for me I almost signed up for a tech class around here, but I decided not to after a phone conversation with David Rhea. When I talked to David I fully expected him to tell me how I was going to die if I didnt immediately convert to DIR. We talked for nearly an hour and it was easy to understand GUE was not this evil empire after all in fact they were everything that I was looking for, good attitude, strong emphasis on fun and safety, and a proven track record.

I signed up for a fundamentals class in High Springs. I enjoyed the class very much and everyone in the class I think would agree with me that it taught us many good skills. There are a few things that I didn't necessarily agree at first, but when coupled with the rest of the DIR/GUE approach everything just made sense. To top it all off, I am now excited about diving again!

The reason I replied to this thread is that I think many people that are reading these threads may be wondering if fundamentals would be for them. Fundamentals may be for you if you can answer yes to the following. Do you want to be a better diver? Do you have a good attitude, an open mind and strong work ethic? Are you willing to spend lots of time and money relearning skills and replacing gear?

I don't believe fundamentals is the only way for everyone to become a better diver but I do believe it is a very good approach that would suit anyone who really wants to maximize their skill level.

Since I don't post very much I would thank all of you guys that post regularly in the DIR forum.

Great post with balanced views!

I'm still very much a newbie, barely hitting 50 dives, and I took my Fundies in early October. There isn't a big GUE community in Singapore (maybe only about 100?), so I found out about GUE on this forum. There were kind members here who patiently answered my questions about Fundies and GUE, and my initial thoughts was that while the whole philosophy is something I believe in, the cost to me at that time, was prohibitive. When I paid for my course, it was about USD1.1k, including courses fees, gas fills, travel fees and accommodation in Malaysia. I thought I could save on that by learning the skills on my own and reading the book to fill myself in on the other aspects. No use... I just got more frustrated instead.

When I heard that Gideon Liew (our local instructor) was in town and a Fundies course was gonna be run, I had to decide whether I was gonna shell out the money for the course. After talking to the LDS that runs it, as well as TSandM about her experience, I decided to take the plunge.

I have to say that it was the best money I'd spent on any course so far. It wasn't just about the content, it was about the learning environment as well as Gideon's guidance. As Gilty said, after the course, I felt more confident of my ability in the water, and I rediscovered my passion for diving again.

I agree that what GUE teaches isn't much RADICALLY different from what other agencies teach. I'm gonna stick my neck out and say that what I like about GUE's way of teaching is non-compromise with its training standards. Jarrod Jablonski's statement about the competitive diving industry has led to dive shops slashing cost to attract students, and resulting in the need to cut corners with teaching. I'm not sure how's it's like elsewhere, but in Singapore and certainly in the Asian resorts I've been to, it's certainly the case. Heck, at some resorts, all you need to do is to watch a vid and you're in the water and certified by day's end.

Without sounding like a commercial plug, I'm thankful to the members here who'd encouraged me to take up the Fundies course. I've signed up for the twin tanks workshop next month.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

Well I am glad it worked out well for you. That seems to be the case more often than not. Either that or the annoyed and frustrated students do not post here!

It may be that the old saw "it's the instructor and not the agency" is as true of GUE-F as it is of any other class.

 

[TSandM]

Sometimes it's the intersection of the two, too. Some people's teaching style doesn't work for all students.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Well I am glad it worked out well for you. That seems to be the case more often than not. Either that or the annoyed and frustrated students do not post here!

It's been my observation over the past few years that those who posted negative comments about their DIR-F experiences were pretty well roasted for it ... that would kind've discourage others from doing it, I should think.

It may be that the old saw "it's the instructor and not the agency" is as true of GUE-F as it is of any other class.

I think it's both the instructor and the student ... keep in mind that it takes a certain type of diver to even want to take a GUE class. Those who aren't seeking a certain level of proficiency won't apply ... and those who do are generally willing to put in the effort that the class requires.

It's generally the case that what you get out of a class will be proportional to the amount of effort you're willing to put into it ... GUE or otherwise.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

That was a very different experience from my Fundies class. I had Steve grab my fins underwater and pattern me through the frog kick, and it really helped.

I had an opportunity to video part of Steve's class last week-end and noticed that he's pretty interactive ... more so than some other GUE instructors I've been exposed to.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Vie]

There isn't a big GUE community in Singapore (maybe only about 100?)

Dude, if that's really the case, that's a huge community! It's my impression that there aren't that many truly active/practicing "DIR" divers in Singapore though...