Pllllrrrkkk (sound of bubbles being exhaled)

Sterny · November 28th, 2005, 12:55 PM

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

**Alastair** · November 28th, 2005, 01:44 PM

Hi David,

Welcome to the board. I read your fundies write-up and it did sound like your confidence took a knock - glad to hear your still working at it.

Cheers
Al

Sterny · November 28th, 2005, 01:53 PM

Hi Al,

Thanks for saying hello

Well, my confidence did take a knock during the weekend (with good reason!), but not really afterwards - it's given me a new burst of enthusiasm for diving better.

It's not how hard you fall, it's how high you bounce.

(Though on reflection, with a sport like ours, you may not get that chance underwater, so better to have it well within your depth!)

Looking forward to diving with you and Claire at Vobster soon!

David

*JohnKendall* · November 28th, 2005, 02:26 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Sterny)

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.

No no no no no no no. I'm not yet a GUE instructor. I've got a whole load of stuff to do yet. I'm an Instructor Intern. Basically this means I can't teach anything except with a GUE instructor there.

See ya

J

***techadmin*** · November 28th, 2005, 08:22 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Sterny)

Hello everyone! Thanks to CHG's invitation, thought I'd come join you over here

Nice colour scheme!

Thanks very much - I like it too, I seriously considered black but its hard to read and would have been just a little too predictable don't you think!

Quote: (Originally Posted by Sterny)

Who is the mysterious techadmin? Does he operate from a secret cave command center somewhere? I'd like to think so!

If you are really really curious - I warn you it might spoil the mystery if you keep on reading!

You can go find me on the world map and zoom in to see the secret lair

Welcome aboard!

Stuart

Sterny · November 28th, 2005, 08:47 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by JohnKendall)

No no no no no no no. I'm not yet a GUE instructor. I've got a whole load of stuff to do yet. I'm an Instructor Intern. Basically this means I can't teach anything except with a GUE instructor there.

See ya

J

Hi John! Oh, okay then

But when you do get through all that stuff, I'm sure you will be awesome!

Bests!

David

November 28th, 2005, 12:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sterny(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: The limpid tropical lagoons of Ealing, West London Posts: 550	Pllllrrrkkk (sound of bubbles being exhaled) 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

November 28th, 2005, 01:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	Hi David, Welcome to the board. I read your fundies write-up and it did sound like your confidence took a knock - glad to hear your still working at it. Cheers Al __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3

November 28th, 2005, 01:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sterny(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: The limpid tropical lagoons of Ealing, West London Posts: 550	Hi Al, Thanks for saying hello Well, my confidence did take a knock during the weekend (with good reason!), but not really afterwards - it's given me a new burst of enthusiasm for diving better. It's not how hard you fall, it's how high you bounce. (Though on reflection, with a sport like ours, you may not get that chance underwater, so better to have it well within your depth!) Looking forward to diving with you and Claire at Vobster soon! David

November 28th, 2005, 02:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
JohnKendall(Offline) GUE Instructor/DIRX Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,102	Quote: (Originally Posted by Sterny) 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. No no no no no no no. I'm not yet a GUE instructor. I've got a whole load of stuff to do yet. I'm an Instructor Intern. Basically this means I can't teach anything except with a GUE instructor there. See ya J

November 28th, 2005, 08:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
*techadmin*(Offline) Administrator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Data Center Posts: 214	Quote: (Originally Posted by Sterny) Hello everyone! Thanks to CHG's invitation, thought I'd come join you over here Nice colour scheme! Thanks very much - I like it too, I seriously considered black but its hard to read and would have been just a little too predictable don't you think! Quote: (Originally Posted by Sterny) Who is the mysterious techadmin? Does he operate from a secret cave command center somewhere? I'd like to think so! If you are really really curious - I warn you it might spoil the mystery if you keep on reading! You can go find me on the world map and zoom in to see the secret lair Welcome aboard! Stuart

November 28th, 2005, 08:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sterny(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: The limpid tropical lagoons of Ealing, West London Posts: 550	Quote: (Originally Posted by JohnKendall) No no no no no no no. I'm not yet a GUE instructor. I've got a whole load of stuff to do yet. I'm an Instructor Intern. Basically this means I can't teach anything except with a GUE instructor there. See ya J Hi John! Oh, okay then But when you do get through all that stuff, I'm sure you will be awesome! Bests! David