Fundamentals - OR 'Can I have a new set of thighs please'

Adrian Kelland · January 27th, 2006, 10:23 AM

For a while I have been mostly diving with the same 2 or 3 buddies, all at the same level and thus little scope for learning. I started diving in 1987/88, progress has been on and off since then, but all dive training has been within the BSAC.

I had a fair inkling that my swimming and neoprene drysuit would cause me big problems, but after a longish conversation with Andy Kerslake, I signed up for the F course in Plymouth last w/e. I drove down with an open mind of what to expect - there is far too much chaff on the web. Four of us were being tortured by Andy and John Kendall with their able assistant Gledders. JamesD, myself and a couple of others settled down for them first classroom session. There was a good spread of experience between us, from the dinosaur (me) to a couple of new starters from the last year or so.

I won't go into the lesson details - there is no point, some of you know them, some of you have yet to do them, I won't spoil too much. However a large chunk of time was spent on re-threading my harness as I had not got the buckle on the right side of the body. Crotch strap was also too short. Thankfully I had gone with a toolkit and spares including webbing. I can't remember what time we finished, but I think we were some of the later eaters in the nearby pub. Briefly said hello to some others from Yorkshire Divers, but never got to socialise.

9am next morning found us (more or less all) at the swimming pool. We were doing swimming tests. These were interrupted by a fire alarm, but I still failed. Swimming has never been my thing and as a result was very close to vomiting 2/3 through. We also practiced some of the fin techniques without fins.

Back to Aquanauts (Brian's shop and our base) for a kit fettling session. As a result of the harness changes, the cylinder band positions now needed changing. With some fun (eh John?) and a bit of percussive maintenance, we got there, only holding up the boat a bit. We were off to do some fin work in about 6m just off Bovisand beach, using the local boat 'Venture' which I have been on a few time before. Nice to see it has a side lift.

John and Clare laid a line, then we dropped in down a shot to the line - Andy was videoing. We were going through the fin strọkes. The arched back/clenched cheeks position is not comfortable - even more so with 18 years of muscle memory and habit fighting it. How anyone continued to put themselves through this I don't know - pain is a message that something is wrong. Anyway we pootled up and down giving Andy plenty of opportunity to record our deficiencies in the swell and poor vis.

After a surface wait for a cylinder swap (one of us was on singles) we then did the second dive, attempting the reverse fin and the rest. I had had some cramp on the first session; it was now back with a vengeance. I indicated this to Andy then my buddy and I made our way up. Once on the surface we all met up for a weight test, purging our tanks to 30 bar. My drop was pretty slow, so perhaps only slightly over weight - hard to tell with the changing characteristics of full thickness neoprene.

Then it was back to shore for the evening comedy entertainment of the Four Stooges. Or is it the Marx Brothers? Either way - interesting. Then off for a curry.

Sunday morning finds us starting in the classroom at 8:30. IIRC dive planning. Minimum Gas is a concept I like, I have been using a 'double reserve' system, MG generally comes out with something similar so I can live with that. My unpracticed brain won't do it on its own, but MG gives a method to help. Also found out that a friend was treated at DDRC the day before after a rapid feet first ascent the day before. More theory, then off to the boat again. This time we have better vis and no swell. A few circuits of various fin strọkes, then watching John go through the 5 skills which we then try to copy to varying degrees of success. We also carry out a DSMB release. Back to surface for a review, then back down for second dive. Manage to speak to my friend, she is OK, but has had a second recompression.

This time we will be attempting shutdowns and watching John do the DSMB release. My buddy just about does the valve shutdown, then it is my turn. As I had expected it is no go. The suit just won’t allow it. I am half inch away from the right knob, nowhere near turning it. Didn't matter what I tried or who tried to dislocate my shoulder - it was not going to happen.

Then we watched John do the DSMB thing. Now I appreciate that this is generally done mid-water with plenty of time - no rushing. But what a faff. Threading loops and unclipping/reclipping double-enders. John is practiced, but I reckon a newbie with a crack bottle system would be done and dusted in half the time. However if you believe that something quick skillwise with complicated kit will go wrong, then it is best to go with simple kit and take time to practice a more complicated skill. To each their own.

Back to base to watch the Four Stooges II video, and then the individual feedback. As expected I had failed outright. At least it was on the points I expected so no further disappointment was heaped upon me. Buoyancy/trim is a bastard when trying to stay in a head up position your crepitus neck does not like.

So what next? Irrespective of whether I wish to retake F or not, I need to get the suit sorted. Whether this will be extra gussets under the arms or a suitable membrane I don't know. We shall see. It could be useful to have a larger toolbox of in water skills be they fin strọkes of DSMB release methods - I certainly liked the Halcyon mouth inflate DSMB.

Some suggestions for those thinking about the course - do it, it can't hurt (well not too much, my thighs recovered Tuesday

). As to prior practice - well how can you practice that you have not yet been taught? Unless you learn from someone who is good with the right skills (and how would you recognise this?) you open yourself up to the potential of practicing the wrong thing. Use local accommodation. I was only an hour’s drive away, but the days are long. Staying overnight also lets you socialise. Although the conversation can be a bit limited :D :D. The lectures were well presented with plenty of scope for discussion, although I was a little surprised that there were no course notes. If you can take your own notes all well and good, but I find I am able to take part and think about things if I am not playing mental catch-up with what is being said while I am writing.

All in all a good weekend.

Adrian

Divingniknaks · January 27th, 2006, 10:39 AM

Cracking write up mate.

Well done for going at it with a wide open mind, at least as you say you got something out of it for your pain, so not all bad.

Thx for sharing your thoughts.

jamesd · January 27th, 2006, 11:46 AM

Hi,

Good report. I enjoyed the weekend too. I thought the venue (plymouth) was good and although we had bad viz on saturday the site on sunday was very pleasent. It was nice to go diving in the sea in January.
One of the toughest challenges was the lack of food (I don't like breakfast much and we missed lunch)! I may have been quite at dinner on saturday but I was busy trying to eat as many calories in the shortest possible time.

James

Joe Hesketh · January 27th, 2006, 12:42 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Adrian Kelland)

[...] I was a little surprised that there were no course notes. If you can take your own notes all well and good, but I find I am able to take part and think about things if I am not playing mental catch-up with what is being said while I am writing.

Nice write up. You can buy a print out of the powerpoint presentation from the GUE website. Also, JJ's book covers a lot of ground and is well worth a read if you haven't already.

Joe

**Alastair** · January 27th, 2006, 01:19 PM

Hi Adrian,

Really good write up - thanks for posting.

I'd agree with Joe and recommend getting the workbook from the GUE website. I wish I'd had it during my class as I scribbled stuff down like crazy.

Cheers
Al

**jb2cool** · January 27th, 2006, 01:53 PM

swimming has been worrying my but after a little practice this wll be no problem. I do need to practice reaching my valve whilst wearing my suit though. It's a thick neoprene semi-dry so that might pose a problem.

Thanks for the insight.

Sterny · January 27th, 2006, 02:15 PM

Hi Adrian! Thanks for taking the time to write up such a good course report. Having been through a similar experience in April last year (same result, sharing some of the reasons) I really understand what you went through. It's an intense and very good learning experience, isn't it? :D

Hope you do get your suit sorted one way or the other, and I think your suggestions for others considering the course are pretty close to the mark.

I'm getting ready to re-take Fundies in May with some others on this board who haven't done the course before (I'm sure you've found the thread), and when we can, some of us are trying to get in a few days diving together between now and the course, to get settled in our kit and have a play - nothing strenuous! It's great when there are some of the more experienced folks like Clare, Al and some of the others around too - they are generous with their time, skill and knowledge and make it come to life!

It would be great to meet up with you for a dive or two if you wanted to come along! And there's loads of others doing similar sorts of things - as I'm sure you know

Good work fella!

**neilh** · January 27th, 2006, 02:19 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Alastair)

I'd agree with Joe and recommend getting the workbook from the GUE website. I wish I'd had it during my class as I scribbled stuff down like crazy.

I'd go along with that - I got the workbook after the course and had to try to remember what I wanted to scribble down

Personally I think this is where GUE lets itself down with the fundies course right now - surely it wouldn't be that difficult for the workbook to be included as part of the course?

I would even be tempted to suggest that JJs book, as recommended reading, could also be provided when you register for fundies (perhaps a non-refundable deposit covering costs).

Just my 2p.

Rick · January 27th, 2006, 11:16 PM

Well done Ade, nice write up and keep on the wagon!

It pays....

January 27th, 2006, 10:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
Adrian Kelland (Online) Can't remember Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Exeter - Team of 1 Posts: 268	Fundamentals (Plymouth 20-22 Jan 2006) - OR 'Can I have a new set of thighs please' For a while I have been mostly diving with the same 2 or 3 buddies, all at the same level and thus little scope for learning. I started diving in 1987/88, progress has been on and off since then, but all dive training has been within the BSAC. I had a fair inkling that my swimming and neoprene drysuit would cause me big problems, but after a longish conversation with Andy Kerslake, I signed up for the F course in Plymouth last w/e. I drove down with an open mind of what to expect - there is far too much chaff on the web. Four of us were being tortured by Andy and John Kendall with their able assistant Gledders. JamesD, myself and a couple of others settled down for them first classroom session. There was a good spread of experience between us, from the dinosaur (me) to a couple of new starters from the last year or so. I won't go into the lesson details - there is no point, some of you know them, some of you have yet to do them, I won't spoil too much. However a large chunk of time was spent on re-threading my harness as I had not got the buckle on the right side of the body. Crotch strap was also too short. Thankfully I had gone with a toolkit and spares including webbing. I can't remember what time we finished, but I think we were some of the later eaters in the nearby pub. Briefly said hello to some others from Yorkshire Divers, but never got to socialise. 9am next morning found us (more or less all) at the swimming pool. We were doing swimming tests. These were interrupted by a fire alarm, but I still failed. Swimming has never been my thing and as a result was very close to vomiting 2/3 through. We also practiced some of the fin techniques without fins. Back to Aquanauts (Brian's shop and our base) for a kit fettling session. As a result of the harness changes, the cylinder band positions now needed changing. With some fun (eh John?) and a bit of percussive maintenance, we got there, only holding up the boat a bit. We were off to do some fin work in about 6m just off Bovisand beach, using the local boat 'Venture' which I have been on a few time before. Nice to see it has a side lift. John and Clare laid a line, then we dropped in down a shot to the line - Andy was videoing. We were going through the fin strọkes. The arched back/clenched cheeks position is not comfortable - even more so with 18 years of muscle memory and habit fighting it. How anyone continued to put themselves through this I don't know - pain is a message that something is wrong. Anyway we pootled up and down giving Andy plenty of opportunity to record our deficiencies in the swell and poor vis. After a surface wait for a cylinder swap (one of us was on singles) we then did the second dive, attempting the reverse fin and the rest. I had had some cramp on the first session; it was now back with a vengeance. I indicated this to Andy then my buddy and I made our way up. Once on the surface we all met up for a weight test, purging our tanks to 30 bar. My drop was pretty slow, so perhaps only slightly over weight - hard to tell with the changing characteristics of full thickness neoprene. Then it was back to shore for the evening comedy entertainment of the Four Stooges. Or is it the Marx Brothers? Either way - interesting. Then off for a curry. Sunday morning finds us starting in the classroom at 8:30. IIRC dive planning. Minimum Gas is a concept I like, I have been using a 'double reserve' system, MG generally comes out with something similar so I can live with that. My unpracticed brain won't do it on its own, but MG gives a method to help. Also found out that a friend was treated at DDRC the day before after a rapid feet first ascent the day before. More theory, then off to the boat again. This time we have better vis and no swell. A few circuits of various fin strọkes, then watching John go through the 5 skills which we then try to copy to varying degrees of success. We also carry out a DSMB release. Back to surface for a review, then back down for second dive. Manage to speak to my friend, she is OK, but has had a second recompression. This time we will be attempting shutdowns and watching John do the DSMB release. My buddy just about does the valve shutdown, then it is my turn. As I had expected it is no go. The suit just won’t allow it. I am half inch away from the right knob, nowhere near turning it. Didn't matter what I tried or who tried to dislocate my shoulder - it was not going to happen. Then we watched John do the DSMB thing. Now I appreciate that this is generally done mid-water with plenty of time - no rushing. But what a faff. Threading loops and unclipping/reclipping double-enders. John is practiced, but I reckon a newbie with a crack bottle system would be done and dusted in half the time. However if you believe that something quick skillwise with complicated kit will go wrong, then it is best to go with simple kit and take time to practice a more complicated skill. To each their own. Back to base to watch the Four Stooges II video, and then the individual feedback. As expected I had failed outright. At least it was on the points I expected so no further disappointment was heaped upon me. Buoyancy/trim is a bastard when trying to stay in a head up position your crepitus neck does not like. So what next? Irrespective of whether I wish to retake F or not, I need to get the suit sorted. Whether this will be extra gussets under the arms or a suitable membrane I don't know. We shall see. It could be useful to have a larger toolbox of in water skills be they fin strọkes of DSMB release methods - I certainly liked the Halcyon mouth inflate DSMB. Some suggestions for those thinking about the course - do it, it can't hurt (well not too much, my thighs recovered Tuesday). As to prior practice - well how can you practice that you have not yet been taught? Unless you learn from someone who is good with the right skills (and how would you recognise this?) you open yourself up to the potential of practicing the wrong thing. Use local accommodation. I was only an hour’s drive away, but the days are long. Staying overnight also lets you socialise. Although the conversation can be a bit limited :D :D. The lectures were well presented with plenty of scope for discussion, although I was a little surprised that there were no course notes. If you can take your own notes all well and good, but I find I am able to take part and think about things if I am not playing mental catch-up with what is being said while I am writing. All in all a good weekend. Adrian Last edited by Adrian Kelland; January 27th, 2006 at 12:00 PM. Reason: added dates to title

January 27th, 2006, 10:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,038	Cracking write up mate. Well done for going at it with a wide open mind, at least as you say you got something out of it for your pain, so not all bad. Thx for sharing your thoughts. __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com

January 27th, 2006, 01:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	Hi Adrian, Really good write up - thanks for posting. I'd agree with Joe and recommend getting the workbook from the GUE website. I wish I'd had it during my class as I scribbled stuff down like crazy. Cheers Al __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3

January 27th, 2006, 01:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
jb2cool (Online) Padawan learner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire Posts: 798	swimming has been worrying my but after a little practice this wll be no problem. I do need to practice reaching my valve whilst wearing my suit though. It's a thick neoprene semi-dry so that might pose a problem. Thanks for the insight. __________________ http://jb2cool.bulldoghome.com

January 27th, 2006, 11:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
Rick(Offline) Jock Exley Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Falkirk/Stratford UK Posts: 730	Well done Ade, nice write up and keep on the wagon! It pays.... __________________ Forget Everything And Remember http://phreaticzone.thedeepstop.com/ http://www.dublinbaydiving.com/

January 27th, 2006, 11:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
jamesd(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London Posts: 54	Hi, Good report. I enjoyed the weekend too. I thought the venue (plymouth) was good and although we had bad viz on saturday the site on sunday was very pleasent. It was nice to go diving in the sea in January. One of the toughest challenges was the lack of food (I don't like breakfast much and we missed lunch)! I may have been quite at dinner on saturday but I was busy trying to eat as many calories in the shortest possible time. James

January 27th, 2006, 12:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
Joe Hesketh(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 657	Quote: (Originally Posted by Adrian Kelland) [...] I was a little surprised that there were no course notes. If you can take your own notes all well and good, but I find I am able to take part and think about things if I am not playing mental catch-up with what is being said while I am writing. Nice write up. You can buy a print out of the powerpoint presentation from the GUE website. Also, JJ's book covers a lot of ground and is well worth a read if you haven't already. Joe

January 27th, 2006, 02:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sterny(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: The limpid tropical lagoons of Ealing, West London Posts: 550	Hi Adrian! Thanks for taking the time to write up such a good course report. Having been through a similar experience in April last year (same result, sharing some of the reasons) I really understand what you went through. It's an intense and very good learning experience, isn't it? :D Hope you do get your suit sorted one way or the other, and I think your suggestions for others considering the course are pretty close to the mark. I'm getting ready to re-take Fundies in May with some others on this board who haven't done the course before (I'm sure you've found the thread), and when we can, some of us are trying to get in a few days diving together between now and the course, to get settled in our kit and have a play - nothing strenuous! It's great when there are some of the more experienced folks like Clare, Al and some of the others around too - they are generous with their time, skill and knowledge and make it come to life! It would be great to meet up with you for a dive or two if you wanted to come along! And there's loads of others doing similar sorts of things - as I'm sure you know Good work fella!

January 27th, 2006, 02:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
neilh(Offline) Haemoglobin on the bus... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Barnsley, UK Posts: 1,900	Quote: (Originally Posted by Alastair) I'd agree with Joe and recommend getting the workbook from the GUE website. I wish I'd had it during my class as I scribbled stuff down like crazy. I'd go along with that - I got the workbook after the course and had to try to remember what I wanted to scribble down Personally I think this is where GUE lets itself down with the fundies course right now - surely it wouldn't be that difficult for the workbook to be included as part of the course? I would even be tempted to suggest that JJs book, as recommended reading, could also be provided when you register for fundies (perhaps a non-refundable deposit covering costs). Just my 2p.