Advice to those planning DIR-F

**Alastair** · November 17th, 2005, 10:50 PM

A few titbits of advice!

- Practice in the rig you'll dive in beforehand concentrating on buoyancy control. Do a mask clear and see if you change depth. Do a full mask removal and replace and see what happens.
- Make sure you remember your swimming stuff for the swim test.
- Don't dive a twinset for the first time on the course.
- Take a lot of care over kitting and dekitting, do not rush!
- Don't forget to fill out the online forms.

It's well worth doing fundy's even if you don't feel ready - it points you in the right direction. Above all remember diving is for fun and fundamentals can sound a stretch but it is about enjoying it!

Cheers
Al

**DCC** · November 22nd, 2005, 01:41 PM

Thanks for the tips - any advice on keeping warm? I am booked for DIR-F in December..........

DCC

**Alastair** · November 22nd, 2005, 02:52 PM

Hi DCC,

Well in December the water hasn't actually cooled down that much, so you shouldn't find it too bad. There are some general pointers you can follow looking at both the in-water element and at the surface.

In-water comfort should include well maintained gloves and hood (too often people have holes in gloves etc) and the right undersuit. Thinsulate undersuits work well preferrably 400gram. Sounds overkill but I've never been too warm

. I also find a base layer such as Fourth Elements quite good.

Time at the surface is as important as the in-water element as if you're cold before the dive you'll only get colder. I stick a hat on and gloves in the surface interval and quite often a coat as well. It's also worth getting a hot drink. You may not feel particularly cold but if you get nice and warm it will make a difference come the next dive.

HTH
Al

Little Pete · November 22nd, 2005, 02:53 PM

If you're a real wuss (like me

) then you have a few options:

- I use a 400grm type B thinsulate (DUI and polar bears make them) with thinsulate booties from PB (again DUI also make these).
- I'm thinking of adding a 4th element Xerotherm layer under this because I'm a wuss.
- Make sure your hood fits closely around your face and neck. 5mm good fitting is better than 7mm loose or gaping away from your neck.

Probably easiest is to make sure you are well fed on the diving days with plenty of carbs and such. Drinking soup or hot water through the day would probably be good too. Make sure you dress warmly enough on the surface, if you go in the water without being warm there is no way you're likely to warm up while down there. So be decked out in layers, big coat, beanie cap, gloves and scarf if it's really chilly.

Hope that helps :D

**DCC** · November 22nd, 2005, 03:15 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Little Pete)

If you're a real wuss (like me

) then you have a few options:

- I use a 400grm type B thinsulate (DUI and polar bears make them) with thinsulate booties from PB (again DUI also make these).
- I'm thinking of adding a 4th element Xerotherm layer under this because I'm a wuss.

Yes Pete, I have it from a reliable source that you are a softie when it comes to the temperature and that on Santa's list are the xerotherms!

Quote: (Originally Posted by Little Pete)

Probably easiest is to make sure you are well fed on the diving days with plenty of carbs and such. Drinking soup or hot water through the day would probably be good too. Make sure you dress warmly enough on the surface, if you go in the water without being warm there is no way you're likely to warm up while down there. So be decked out in layers, big coat, beanie cap, gloves and scarf if it's really chilly.

Hope that helps :D

Soup would be nice, but some places only serve crisps quote "Sno good looking at that (menu) thats weekends only - weekdays you can only 'ave what you can see (crisps & snickers).
Do you have that feeling of deja vu yet?

Little Pete · November 22nd, 2005, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Soup would be nice, but some places only serve crisps quote "Sno good looking at that (menu) thats weekends only - weekdays you can only 'ave what you can see (crisps & snickers).
Do you have that feeling of deja vu yet?

Yeah that sorta thing gets annoying, I guess one can only hope they have a buddy who can get out their sarnies and recover lost credit cards later :p

We'll have to get in the water again soon (need to ogle the shiny toy more

) and do some more work for fundies if you want to.

Jonathan · November 22nd, 2005, 04:03 PM

A couple of things I'd add, next time you're on a dive (assuming you've got your wing):

- what happens when you do nothing? Head up, head down? That will give you an idea of what you need to be properly trimmed.
- try going face to face with your buddy whilst horizontal and stay in that position. It's hard!
- go in with an open mind

scubajay · November 23rd, 2005, 07:50 PM

Online forms?

Where can they be found?

Also: I seem to remember reading them ages ago, (can't find them now, hence the above) and seeing something about rescuse/1st aid stuff, none of which I have. I am doing RD in January so have no quals yet in that department.

Swim test? Argh.......I have not seen that in the fundies book.

Helen · November 23rd, 2005, 07:59 PM

Dont panic about the swim test. I managed it and i am really not very fit at all and about as hydrodynamic as a housebrick.

I struggled on the breath hold swim though, so if you need to practice anything go to your local pool and have a go there beforehand.

**Alastair** · November 23rd, 2005, 08:17 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by scubajay)

Online forms?

Where can they be found?

Forms here - once you submit you need to print out the pages it brings up:
https://www.gue.com/cgi-bin/reg

Quote: (Originally Posted by scubajay)

Also: I seem to remember reading them ages ago, (can't find them now, hence the above) and seeing something about rescuse/1st aid stuff, none of which I have. I am doing RD in January so have no quals yet in that department.

Swim test? Argh.......I have not seen that in the fundies book.

Straight from the standards:

2.1.2.2 Prerequisites

1. Must meet GUE General Course Prerequisites as outlined in Section 1.6
2. Must be a minimum of 16 years of age
3. Must be a certified open water diver from a recognized training agency
4. Must be able to swim a distance of at least 50 feet/15 meters on a breath hold
5. Must be able to swim at least 300 yards/275 meters in less than 14 minutes without stopping. This test should be conducted in a swimsuit and, where necessary, appropriate thermal protection.

No mention of rescue or First aid for fundies. Although I would recommend having both as both being very useful.

HTH
Al

November 17th, 2005, 10:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	Advice to those planning DIR-F A few titbits of advice! - Practice in the rig you'll dive in beforehand concentrating on buoyancy control. Do a mask clear and see if you change depth. Do a full mask removal and replace and see what happens. - Make sure you remember your swimming stuff for the swim test. - Don't dive a twinset for the first time on the course. - Take a lot of care over kitting and dekitting, do not rush! - Don't forget to fill out the online forms. It's well worth doing fundy's even if you don't feel ready - it points you in the right direction. Above all remember diving is for fun and fundamentals can sound a stretch but it is about enjoying it! Cheers Al

November 22nd, 2005, 02:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	Hi DCC, Well in December the water hasn't actually cooled down that much, so you shouldn't find it too bad. There are some general pointers you can follow looking at both the in-water element and at the surface. In-water comfort should include well maintained gloves and hood (too often people have holes in gloves etc) and the right undersuit. Thinsulate undersuits work well preferrably 400gram. Sounds overkill but I've never been too warm . I also find a base layer such as Fourth Elements quite good. Time at the surface is as important as the in-water element as if you're cold before the dive you'll only get colder. I stick a hat on and gloves in the surface interval and quite often a coat as well. It's also worth getting a hot drink. You may not feel particularly cold but if you get nice and warm it will make a difference come the next dive. HTH Al __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3

November 23rd, 2005, 07:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
scubajay(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Great Totham, Essex Posts: 59	Online forms? Where can they be found? Also: I seem to remember reading them ages ago, (can't find them now, hence the above) and seeing something about rescuse/1st aid stuff, none of which I have. I am doing RD in January so have no quals yet in that department. Swim test? Argh.......I have not seen that in the fundies book. __________________ We can't all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by. 20,000mm Under the Sea

November 23rd, 2005, 07:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
Helen(Offline) "Like a diver... only shorter" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Scapa Flow, Orkney Posts: 101	Dont panic about the swim test. I managed it and i am really not very fit at all and about as hydrodynamic as a housebrick. I struggled on the breath hold swim though, so if you need to practice anything go to your local pool and have a go there beforehand. __________________ You can dive any way you want to. Just don't expect me to be down there with you....

November 23rd, 2005, 08:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	Quote: (Originally Posted by scubajay) Online forms? Where can they be found? Forms here - once you submit you need to print out the pages it brings up: https://www.gue.com/cgi-bin/reg Quote: (Originally Posted by scubajay) Also: I seem to remember reading them ages ago, (can't find them now, hence the above) and seeing something about rescuse/1st aid stuff, none of which I have. I am doing RD in January so have no quals yet in that department. Swim test? Argh.......I have not seen that in the fundies book. Straight from the standards: *2.1.2.2 Prerequisites* 1. Must meet GUE General Course Prerequisites as outlined in Section 1.6 2. Must be a minimum of 16 years of age 3. Must be a certified open water diver from a recognized training agency 4. Must be able to swim a distance of at least 50 feet/15 meters on a breath hold 5. Must be able to swim at least 300 yards/275 meters in less than 14 minutes without stopping. This test should be conducted in a swimsuit and, where necessary, appropriate thermal protection. No mention of rescue or First aid for fundies. Although I would recommend having both as both being very useful. HTH Al __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3

November 22nd, 2005, 01:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
DCC(Offline) Marine interior decorator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Norfolk, England Posts: 135	Thanks for the tips - any advice on keeping warm? I am booked for DIR-F in December.......... DCC

November 22nd, 2005, 02:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Little Pete(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 509	If you're a real wuss (like me ) then you have a few options: - I use a 400grm type B thinsulate (DUI and polar bears make them) with thinsulate booties from PB (again DUI also make these). - I'm thinking of adding a 4th element Xerotherm layer under this because I'm a wuss. - Make sure your hood fits closely around your face and neck. 5mm good fitting is better than 7mm loose or gaping away from your neck. Probably easiest is to make sure you are well fed on the diving days with plenty of carbs and such. Drinking soup or hot water through the day would probably be good too. Make sure you dress warmly enough on the surface, if you go in the water without being warm there is no way you're likely to warm up while down there. So be decked out in layers, big coat, beanie cap, gloves and scarf if it's really chilly. Hope that helps :D

November 22nd, 2005, 03:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
DCC(Offline) Marine interior decorator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Norfolk, England Posts: 135	Quote: (Originally Posted by Little Pete) If you're a real wuss (like me ) then you have a few options: - I use a 400grm type B thinsulate (DUI and polar bears make them) with thinsulate booties from PB (again DUI also make these). - I'm thinking of adding a 4th element Xerotherm layer under this because I'm a wuss. Yes Pete, I have it from a reliable source that you are a softie when it comes to the temperature and that on Santa's list are the xerotherms! Quote: (Originally Posted by Little Pete) Probably easiest is to make sure you are well fed on the diving days with plenty of carbs and such. Drinking soup or hot water through the day would probably be good too. Make sure you dress warmly enough on the surface, if you go in the water without being warm there is no way you're likely to warm up while down there. So be decked out in layers, big coat, beanie cap, gloves and scarf if it's really chilly. Hope that helps :D Soup would be nice, but some places only serve crisps quote "Sno good looking at that (menu) thats weekends only - weekdays you can only 'ave what you can see (crisps & snickers). Do you have that feeling of deja vu yet?

November 22nd, 2005, 03:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Little Pete(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 509	Quote: Soup would be nice, but some places only serve crisps quote "Sno good looking at that (menu) thats weekends only - weekdays you can only 'ave what you can see (crisps & snickers). Do you have that feeling of deja vu yet? Yeah that sorta thing gets annoying, I guess one can only hope they have a buddy who can get out their sarnies and recover lost credit cards later :p We'll have to get in the water again soon (need to ogle the shiny toy more ) and do some more work for fundies if you want to.

November 22nd, 2005, 04:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jonathan(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 215	A couple of things I'd add, next time you're on a dive (assuming you've got your wing): - what happens when you do nothing? Head up, head down? That will give you an idea of what you need to be properly trimmed. - try going face to face with your buddy whilst horizontal and stay in that position. It's hard! - go in with an open mind