DIR-F this past weekend

jasonmh · August 14th, 2006, 06:06 PM

I just wanted to say thanks for the nice words of encouragement I got for my DIR-F class this past weekend. It sure is nice to have this board as a resource, it helped alot.

I haven't had time to do a real write up yet, but here is some of the basics:

The course was in Albuquerque, New Mexico with instructor Mark Redmon.
The class was the 10th-13th, and we had 3 students. It was me, my dad, and a close family friend. We have been diving together for a while, and that certainly helped.
We started with the swim test on Thursday night, which we all did with no problem. Then Friday was an all day marathon, from 8:30 to 6:30 in the classroom, then of to get ready to head to the local diving spot. We left at 6am on Saturday morning to head to Blue Hole, which is about a 2 hour drive each way. We got started at about 8 and went until about 9:30-10:00 at night. We did 3 dives on Sat., with lecture and land drills before and between each dive. When we were finally done we went back to the hotel for a video debrief and more classroom work. We were at the hole again at 7:45 sunday morning, and did 3 more dives, with lecture and pratice in between each one. After that we headed for one of the groups homes to do a video debrief and wrap up. We finished at about 7:30 Sunday evening, and I didn't get home until about 9:30 pm.
Overall the class was great, and Mark was an exceptional instructor. I am very sore today

We did get through it, but the new class has soooo much to it, that I really think the only reason we got as far as we did was because we had met Mark before and had dove with him about 6 months ago. We got a TON of help and info from him then, and it helped give us some time to try to focus on the parts we were having trouble with.
All in all, it was very rewarding and I am very glad that I took the class. I learned a huge amount, and have some new goals.
One student got a provisional, one got a rec pass, and I got a tech pass.
It was a great experience, now to figure out what's next.
Thanks,
Jason

amascuba · August 14th, 2006, 06:17 PM

Congrats man!! Look forward to hearing more about the class! I'm sure I'll see you next sunday, even though I'll be quiet busy.

keylimepie · August 14th, 2006, 06:58 PM

Well done, Jason.

Ben_Ca · August 14th, 2006, 07:46 PM

Congratulations.... Now jump in the car and start driving west.... Come out to Monterey to dive one of these days

Mark's a super guy , he interned my DIR-F class here in Monterey with Joe Talavera. Very patient and knowledgeable.

PFM · August 15th, 2006, 09:57 PM

Congratulations "Tech pass"

I'll bet your aching today - well done!

jasonmh · August 15th, 2006, 10:00 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by PFM)

Congratulations "Tech pass"

I'll bet your aching today - well done!

Thank you. It was very tough, but by far the best money I have spent on dive training so far. And yes, I am still aching a bit!

August 14th, 2006, 06:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
jasonmh(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 125	DIR-F this past weekend I just wanted to say thanks for the nice words of encouragement I got for my DIR-F class this past weekend. It sure is nice to have this board as a resource, it helped alot. I haven't had time to do a real write up yet, but here is some of the basics: The course was in Albuquerque, New Mexico with instructor Mark Redmon. The class was the 10th-13th, and we had 3 students. It was me, my dad, and a close family friend. We have been diving together for a while, and that certainly helped. We started with the swim test on Thursday night, which we all did with no problem. Then Friday was an all day marathon, from 8:30 to 6:30 in the classroom, then of to get ready to head to the local diving spot. We left at 6am on Saturday morning to head to Blue Hole, which is about a 2 hour drive each way. We got started at about 8 and went until about 9:30-10:00 at night. We did 3 dives on Sat., with lecture and land drills before and between each dive. When we were finally done we went back to the hotel for a video debrief and more classroom work. We were at the hole again at 7:45 sunday morning, and did 3 more dives, with lecture and pratice in between each one. After that we headed for one of the groups homes to do a video debrief and wrap up. We finished at about 7:30 Sunday evening, and I didn't get home until about 9:30 pm. Overall the class was great, and Mark was an exceptional instructor. I am very sore today We did get through it, but the new class has soooo much to it, that I really think the only reason we got as far as we did was because we had met Mark before and had dove with him about 6 months ago. We got a TON of help and info from him then, and it helped give us some time to try to focus on the parts we were having trouble with. All in all, it was very rewarding and I am very glad that I took the class. I learned a huge amount, and have some new goals. One student got a provisional, one got a rec pass, and I got a tech pass. It was a great experience, now to figure out what's next. Thanks, Jason

August 14th, 2006, 06:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
keylimepie(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sunderland Posts: 123	Well done, Jason. __________________ Blog updated 20.01.2007: http://davestwinsetdiving.blog-city.com/

August 15th, 2006, 09:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
PFM(Offline) Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Humberside Posts: 105	Congratulations "Tech pass" I'll bet your aching today - well done! __________________ On the long swim to Tech1...

August 14th, 2006, 06:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
amascuba(Offline) New Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: West Texas Posts: 129	Congrats man!! Look forward to hearing more about the class! I'm sure I'll see you next sunday, even though I'll be quiet busy.

August 14th, 2006, 07:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ben_Ca(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SF Bay, CA USA Posts: 50	Congratulations.... Now jump in the car and start driving west.... Come out to Monterey to dive one of these days Mark's a super guy , he interned my DIR-F class here in Monterey with Joe Talavera. Very patient and knowledgeable.

August 15th, 2006, 10:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
jasonmh(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 125	Quote: (Originally Posted by PFM) Congratulations "Tech pass" I'll bet your aching today - well done! Thank you. It was very tough, but by far the best money I have spent on dive training so far. And yes, I am still aching a bit!