36 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

I passed....

Congrats! They are not easy classes to pass...just ask Trace!

[ScubaDadMiami]

Thus, if you have passed fundies, I am asking you to check in.

I passed, and then I declined on taking more training when my instructor told me he would not let me go on until I changed my d-rings.

[PerroneFord]

Ok, so we have 2

[ScubaDadMiami]

I think that Vinnie has also passed his Fundies.

[PerroneFord]

Alright,

That would make 3. Plus me with a non-pass.

Ok,

Thanks everyone.

[WreckWench]

Alright,

That would make 3. Plus me with a non-pass.

Ok,

Thanks everyone.

My understanding is that MANY people do not pass the class the first time and depending on the instructor it may take 3 times to pass the class. However you will have skills that surpass many divers when you do pass the class. This course is arduous as it should be given the environment that you are training for...i.e. caves.

However I have learned that to have many if not all of these skills are EXTREMELY useful in other non-caving applications, some of which have been alluded too in the 'ascent line' thread, some in other threads and in general ANYTHING that makes you a better diver in ANY environment is good...VERY GOOD!!!

[PerroneFord]

Just to correct a misnomer, Fundies does not prepare you to dive caves, nor is it necessarily geared to trying to prep you for that. Most DIR divers will never see the inside of a cave.

In many cases, it is very unfortunate that DIR has become so closely associated with cave diving. People seem to avoid it based on the faulty premise that it is only for cave diving.

The educational path in GUE after fundies takes two major branches:

Tech1, Tech2, Tech3
Cave1, Cave2, Cave3

The Rebreather can be introduced at level 2 or 3 I can't remember.

For those wishing to simply do recreational diving, there is a subpath to recreational trimix directly after fundies that teaches the use of 30/30 (30% oxygen and 30% helium) for use at recreational depths (below 130ft). It's primary purpose is to reduce the effecs of narcosis for those divers wishing to push the bounds of deeper recreational dives safely.

And yes, the DIRF course is very difficult. My Adv Nitrox class, and my cave course were easy by coparison.

Edited by PerroneFord, 30 September 2006 - 10:07 AM.

[VADiver]

Hey I passed too (Fundies), thanks Howard!

Right now I'm going to concentrate on my Tech 1, but I need to square away a couple things first...the down side of being up here in VA I have a hard time finding buddies to practice with for Tech 1. I may have to take a couple weeks off of work and visit Fla.

Perrone, good clarification on the "...fundies preparing you for cave..." misconception. As Perrone said, passing the Fundimentals allwos you to progress to Cave 1 or Tech 1 and from there you can choose your branch. Mine will be Tech 1 and later Cave 1.

[Twinklez]

Thus, if you have passed fundies, I am asking you to check in.

I passed, and then I declined on taking more training when my instructor told me he would not let me go on until I changed my d-rings.

Esplain Lucy...what did you need to change about your D-rings to please him/her?

[netmage]

Yeah - I passed too...

[PerroneFord]

Ok, so that makes 4.

Anyone else?

[ScubaHawk]

If you are a DIR diver (at least DIR-F) please check in.

-4 of 5






(please note: I am not asking anyone's opinion of DIR, I am not asking anyone to discuss DIR, nor am I entertaining people who do or don't want to know what DIR is.)


*Note: Edited to add the 'Women' in Black too! -ww

Now WW, that's not fair - it's his thread, his strict rules about what can and cannot be posted in his thread and his thread title. Are you sure he didn't intentionally want to exclude women?

[ScubaDadMiami]

I passed, and then I declined on taking more training when my instructor told me he would not let me go on until I changed my d-rings.

Esplain Lucy...what did you need to change about your D-rings to please him/her?

Because I was using Highland Millwork fixed d-rings, I was told that I would have to change to standard bent d-rings or else I would not be admitted to Tech1 or Cave1. I thought the whole thing was pretty rediculous. So, I completed my GUE experience by passing my Fundies class, and I did not seek further training from them.

[Dive_Girl]

Hey I passed too (Fundies), thanks Howard!

Right now I'm going to concentrate on my Tech 1, but I need to square away a couple things first...the down side of being up here in VA I have a hard time finding buddies to practice with for Tech 1. I may have to take a couple weeks off of work and visit Fla.

OK maybe I'll have to surprise you with a little 5thD magic before you visit!!

Now WW, that's not fair - it's his thread, his strict rules about what can and cannot be posted in his thread and his thread title. Are you sure he didn't intentionally want to exclude women?

I hope he didn't unless I am mistaken and it is male exclusive, in which case I am ready - I have already had to deal with the male dominated scuba realm here in the PNW - I think that makes me ready for anything!

[Twinklez]

I passed, and then I declined on taking more training when my instructor told me he would not let me go on until I changed my d-rings.

Esplain Lucy...what did you need to change about your D-rings to please him/her?

Because I was using Highland Millwork fixed d-rings, I was told that I would have to change to standard bent d-rings or else I would not be admitted to Tech1 or Cave1. I thought the whole thing was pretty rediculous. So, I completed my GUE experience by passing my Fundies class, and I did not seek further training from them.

I like the look of the rings you pointed out. Now if I understand it, the principles behind gear selection and configuration where DIR / GUE are concerned is safety and streamlining. Is there a risk of snagging or something that renders the Highland D-rings potentially unsafe?