All this terminology...

[dmbelina]

'lo all...new to diving, just browsing around these tek forums since I'm really hoping to dive caves and wrecks someday.

That said, what is this DIRF, GUE, Tech1, Cave1, etc. I keep seeing people mention? What do they signify?

Also, hope this doesn't sound too dumb ;) Why would you need certification to use a different gas for breathing? I see these Nitrox, Trimix, Advanced Trimix or whatever certifications...wouldn't the only thing you need to know would be bookwork, and how the different gases effect your body?

Thanks!

[JimC]

http://www.gue.com/classroom/standards/gue_tech1_student.pdf

This covers basic nitrox to simple trimix types of diveing. As you can see there is a LOT to know, and more imprtantly a lot of practice needed. All kinds of good stuff like CNS, hypoxia, END, MOD, deco procedures that you NEED to know and more importantly have practical application of.


That said, you can get a basic nitrox course without steping in the water in about an hour.

[patmandu]

GUE: Global Underwater Explorers. They are a small certification agency that promotes the DIR (Doing it Right) approach to diving. GUE has its roots in Cave diving, but many of the techniques etc have carried over to ocean 'tech diving'. Further information on GUE can be found at http://www.gue.com

DIRF: The 'basic' GUE introductory course which focuses on skills to promote diver safety and proficiency (emphasis on buddy skills, buddy awareness, and skill techniques). Although the skills are 'basic' in nature, it is completely different then your first Open Water class (no doing skills kneeling in the sand).

Tech1: The first level of technical diver education offered by GUE. Course covers, nitrox, advanced nitrox, tri-ox (normoxic trimix), decompression procedures and a host of other things (more info at gue.com)

Cave1: The first level of Cave diving training offered by GUE. Students learn the basics of cave diving limiting their penetration to 1/6's of double tanks and going no deeper than 100'. No decompression techniques are taught or employed during this course.

All of GUE's tech and cave courses have three levels (1,2 and 3).

Does that help any?

[WreckWriter]

dmbelina once bubbled...
Also, hope this doesn't sound too dumb ;) Why would you need certification to use a different gas for breathing? I see these Nitrox, Trimix, Advanced Trimix or whatever certifications...wouldn't the only thing you need to know would be bookwork, and how the different gases effect your body?

Thanks!

well, sorta. A lot of it is physilogy, formulas and such but just as an AOW course is designed to see how a student does in 60-100 feet of water, in a trimix course the instructor also needs to see how someone does in 200-300 feet. The student also needs to do the depth under supervision, it's critical.

Tom

[detroit diver]

WreckWriter once bubbled...


well, sorta. A lot of it is physilogy, formulas and such but just as an AOW course is designed to see how a student does in 60-100 feet of water, in a trimix course the instructor also needs to see how someone does in 200-300 feet. The student also needs to do the depth under supervision, it's critical.

Tom

In addition, if your bouyancy skills are not honed properly, you can get yourself in a world of trouble diving these different mixes. They want to see you can maintain a level before you start mixing things up.

On top of that, you've got to know what to breathe, and what NOT to breathe at certain depths/situations.