Back into diving after about a 15 year layoff

MNDiver · April 13th, 2006, 05:19 PM

Hi my name is Chris. I'm getting back into diving after about a 15 year layoff. I started researching the internet forums a few months ago and came across the DIR philosphy of diving. I ordered the DIR fundimentals book from GUE. Everything in the book made allot of sense to me. I'm not sure were to begin after such a long time away from diving. Should I go thru the entire PADI OW course again or should I just take the refresher course? Should I just start with DIR Essentials class? What would you recommend?

Chris

Little Pete · April 13th, 2006, 05:44 PM

Welcome aboard Chris.

That's a long time out of the water so you are best of getting refreshed one way or another. What I'd suggest is 5 or 10 dives going certainly no deeper than 6-10m (the first at maybe 2m then work down) with a good buddy or team just so you can remember what the feeling is like. When you get more of a memory as to how buoyancy and the like work you can expand the diving a bit.

If you are minded to DIR and can find anyone around you who would dive that way perhaps you could get in the water with them when you're more comfy. They can explain things and show you some of what you'll have seen in the fundamentals book and you can make a good judgement as to what you think of DIR.

If needs be an instructor taught refresher course could be an extremely good idea and is a good option if you can't find someone you would trust to look after you while you get back in the saddle.

Hope to help,

Pete

ppo2_diver · April 13th, 2006, 06:54 PM

I would start off in a pool. That will give you a chance to get the feel of diving again in a controlled environment. Jumping into the colder waters of MN might increase your level of anxiety and take your concentration away from the skills. Find a good OW instructor and do a scuba review in the pool. Then find like minded buddies and go diving. Start off shallow and work on getting comfortable in the water again. Then take the fundies class.

April 13th, 2006, 05:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
MNDiver(Offline) New Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 6	Back into diving after about a 15 year layoff Hi my name is Chris. I'm getting back into diving after about a 15 year layoff. I started researching the internet forums a few months ago and came across the DIR philosphy of diving. I ordered the DIR fundimentals book from GUE. Everything in the book made allot of sense to me. I'm not sure were to begin after such a long time away from diving. Should I go thru the entire PADI OW course again or should I just take the refresher course? Should I just start with DIR Essentials class? What would you recommend? Chris

April 13th, 2006, 06:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
ppo2_diver (Online) DIR Practitioner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Naperville, IL USA (Chicago Suburb) Posts: 103	I would start off in a pool. That will give you a chance to get the feel of diving again in a controlled environment. Jumping into the colder waters of MN might increase your level of anxiety and take your concentration away from the skills. Find a good OW instructor and do a scuba review in the pool. Then find like minded buddies and go diving. Start off shallow and work on getting comfortable in the water again. Then take the fundies class. __________________ Duane A. Johnson Precision Diving

April 13th, 2006, 05:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Little Pete(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 509	Welcome aboard Chris. That's a long time out of the water so you are best of getting refreshed one way or another. What I'd suggest is 5 or 10 dives going certainly no deeper than 6-10m (the first at maybe 2m then work down) with a good buddy or team just so you can remember what the feeling is like. When you get more of a memory as to how buoyancy and the like work you can expand the diving a bit. If you are minded to DIR and can find anyone around you who would dive that way perhaps you could get in the water with them when you're more comfy. They can explain things and show you some of what you'll have seen in the fundamentals book and you can make a good judgement as to what you think of DIR. If needs be an instructor taught refresher course could be an extremely good idea and is a good option if you can't find someone you would trust to look after you while you get back in the saddle. Hope to help, Pete