Next class to take
#1
Posted 11 March 2004 - 03:22 PM
#2
Posted 11 March 2004 - 05:19 PM
DSSW,
WWW™
#3
Posted 12 March 2004 - 07:35 AM
I too am planning on taking the Rescue course this spring. That will then give me my Master Diver cert. I'm thinking of taking the Equipment course next so I can better fix/adjust/troubleshoot my own gear. My LDS is anxious for me to get my DM cert though so I'll probably be doing that at the same time.
Diverlady
What do you mean "it doesn't come in PINK"?!?!
#4
Posted 12 March 2004 - 05:01 PM
#5
Posted 12 March 2004 - 05:11 PM
Thomas Jefferson
"There is nothing more terrifying than ignorance in action."
Goethe
"Democracy is two wolves and a sheep, voting on what to eat for dinner; Liberty is a well-armed sheep contesting the vote."
Thomas Jefferson
"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."
H.L. Mencken:
#6
Posted 12 March 2004 - 07:48 PM
I'd recommend taking a wreck class that includes penetration techniques. Make sure the class includes practice in anti silting techniques and in laying lines.
There are lots of differences between wrecks and caves. I love wrecks, but have no interest in caves.
Walter
DSSW,
WWW™
#7
Posted 12 March 2004 - 11:38 PM
#8
Posted 23 March 2004 - 07:32 PM
#9
Posted 24 March 2004 - 11:52 AM
This may sound funny but I took a class last year just because a friend of mine did. Boy did I get a shock with this class.
One thing is the gear configure for this class was very expensive, but now I have to say was worth every bit of it.
It’s a croup that calls them self’s www.GUE.com
I took their Basic DIR-F class and man we worked on finning techniques, buoyancy control, safe lift bag deployment and many other things. I have to admit this was the hardest class I have ever taken, we spent allot of time in the water more than any other class I have ever taken. And to be honest I would recommend this class to anyone who is planning on going into Tech Diving.
Other choice for more recreational diving is Advance Buoyancy control class , photo class ect.
as othere will tell its matter of personal choice.
#10
Posted 25 March 2004 - 06:48 PM
#11
Posted 27 March 2004 - 01:20 AM
That being said, I'll now let you know that I am also a big fan of GUE's classes, and highly reccommend the DIR-Fundamentals class to all divers, recreational divers and aspiring tech divers alike. It is the best class I've ever taken, if you judge classes by their results. No single class has ever done as much to improve and refine my diving skills as much as this class did.
There is plenty of info online, both good and bad, about GUE and their DIR philosophy. Many people do not like their rigid ideas about gear configuration, and do not want to spend the money to change their gear before the class. But if you are interested in taking the class, you can rent the necessary gear, and you'll also find many people will offer to let you borrow what you need to take the class because they know how good the class is and they don't want that to be the reason you won't take it. I personally feel that the techniques you'll learn during the class would benefit your diving even if you don't plan on ever becoming a tech diver or completely changing your gear after the class. I do highly reccomend you take it, even if it means travelling out of your area to find an instructor ( though many GUE instructors WILL travel to you to teach the class if there are others willing to join you ).
Anyway, I've probably said too much already ( at the risk of sounding like one of the "Lemmings" myself... ). Decide for yourself. I just happen to be one voice in favor of looking into it.
#12
Posted 27 March 2004 - 02:06 AM
While I think it IS important to take classes to improve your diving, I kind of disagree with the mentality that seems to stress the progression from class to class being a quick and necessary thing. What I think IS important, if you really want to improve your diving, is to take the time to master what you've already learned in the classes you've taken. I've met many divers who rushed from OW certification straight into AOW class, Rescue, and sometimes even farther, but never developed mastery of the basic skills that WERE taught in their OW class. They don't have total control of buoyancy, they have to stop kicking and use two hands to clear a partially flooded mask, and are lacking in many other basic skills even though they have a nice collection of C-cards in their wallet. Why?
Practice what you learned in the classes you've already taken. Use your 3 minute safety stop to do a practice an OOA emergency ( if you're nice, you'll discuss this with your buddy BEFORE the dive!!! ) or to completely remove your mask, replace it, and clear it while your buddy watches you to ensure there are no problems. practice tired diver tows on your swim back to shore. Many people just do the required skills in OW class and then never touch them again, and never gain the real comfort level that practicing them would bring. Instead they start looking for the "next" class that will "improve" their skills. Sure, taking classes and challenging youself in that way WILL benefit your diving, but only if you are practicing the basics and giving yourself a solid foundation on which those new classes will build.
Which brings me back to the whole DIR-F thing. GUE is an agency that started out teaching more advanced level classes focused on cave and technical diving, ie the extreme types of diving. But the problem they were running into with a lot of the students showing up to take their classes was that the students didn't have a mastery of the basic skills like mask clearing, air sharing, and buoyancy control. They had to introduce the Fundamentals class to re-teach the basics before the students were ready to move on to the more advanced stuff.
So don't let those basic skills get rusty on you in your quest to move on to bigger and better things. Get an idea of where you want your diving adventures to take you, and remember that a mastery of basic OW skills is what will get you there. Once you're truely comfortable with the basics, any class you take will benefit you more, since you'll be able to focus on the new material and skills instead of fighting to overcome deficencies that a little bit of regular practice would've turned into second nature.
#13
Posted 27 March 2004 - 07:47 AM
I can easily see how once someone becomes enamored with anything..(hey isn't that how we all feel about diving???) or finds something that REALLY works for them....perhaps DIR...that they would want to tell the whole world about it. It kinda comes with the nature of the beast! I am intrigued by the two concepts and thanks to you I have a much more open mind about them as well.
Of course I always have an open mind about someone who is rational, clear thinking, logical and methodical about most things!
Thank you again...I hope that anyone who is interested in these disciplines contact you for more information. -ww
P.S. if I may ask...how far have you personally taken your certifications too?
Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
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#14
Posted 27 March 2004 - 07:48 AM
Has the name been changed from "Search and Rescue"??? Gosh...maybe I'm dating myself here! LOL!!!I am taking the Stress and Rescue class.
Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !
Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!
Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906
#15
Posted 27 March 2004 - 07:59 AM
DSSW,
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