Hello everyone! Thanks to CHG's invitation, thought I'd come join you over here
Nice colour scheme!
I'm afraid I tend to lurk more than post (busy busy busy!), but have been a keen reader of the YD DIR forums (and occasional poster, also as Sterny) for about 7 months. It's great to see so many familiar names, and on such a great site too.
Who is the mysterious techadmin? Does he operate from a secret cave command center somewhere? I'd like to think so! To the rest of you who've provided such thoughtful answers, well-informed opinions and entertaining reports over the last few months on YD, and here, thank you!
What about me? First off, will need to dive with someone who has a camera, as the avatar I've got just now is about the only dive related pic where you can vaguely see who I am. It's very obviously not DIR, I know. Oh well...
I'm a PADI DM, and sort of toying with doing the instructor course, because I really do enjoy the teaching environment (and by working as a DM regularly I'm getting reasonably good at it, I hope).
As for DIR, with basically no preparation at all (other than encouragement from a DIR diver friend), I attended a Fundies course with Rich and Andy last April (you can read about it here:
http://www.yorkshire-divers.co.uk/fo...ad.php?t=19483). Claire (CHG) and Fraser were on the same course - good to see you guys here!
Fundies was a tough experience but one I would recommend to everyone who's serious about becoming a MUCH better diver. If you're reading this, you already are.
I failed Fundies for entirely straightfoward reasons (couldn't reach valve to do a shutdown, didn't do the first two dives and besides all that, nowhere near the required standard on many other things), but it was one of the best learning experiences I've ever had, and I'm putting what I learned into practice. It was a not unexpected shock to discover the gulf between the levels of diving skills that PADI requires to pass a professional-level course, and what GUE requires of even a basic recreational diver.
Since then I know I've been a bit quiet, but I've not been idle. Much more of my kit is DIR now (thanks in large part to Phill!), and I've been diving it as often as I can. Have done Advanced Nitrox and Deco procedures, though no deco dives as yet. Planning to spend a bit more time on this and on DIR over the winter and get ready to re-take Fundies next spring or summer. I hope Andy and Rich will like what's changed!
After fundies, I honestly have no particular plans. My aim is to be a better diver and enjoy it more, not to be a pioneer. That might be through the vehicle of Tech 1, though from Claire's reports (and Fraser and Al's) among others, not for a very long time yet. I'm also very interested to see how the new GUE open water course turns out, and how it beds in over its first few years. And now that we have a third UK instructor (hi John!), I hope we'll be joined by lots more DIR divers and those aspiring to use this as a means to better themselves underwater.
A huge hello to all of you. It's going to be fun!
David