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Yesterday the 5thd-x Essentials of Recreational Diving v1.0 DVD came in the mail. Ordered it from Amazon.
It wasn't what we expected and quite frankly it was very dissappointing. The entire DVD runs about 20 minutes and not a word is spoken.
It's advertised as Essential for Recreational Divers but aside of a demontration of SMB deployment not much applied to the recreational diving we do.
It's all a series of silent demonstrations done hovering over a sandy bottom in about 25/30 feet of water.
They demonstrated the Modified Flutter Kick - okay, and it's purpose for a recreational diver in that setting might be what?
They demonstrated Helicopter Turns - how to circle right / how to circle left - okay, so how is that essential knowledge to a recreational diver in that setting?
So the moral to this story is read the product review before purchasing. The review does say "will help you review the academic curricula prior to taking a DIR class." I didn't read that before purchasing and it cost me $25.
If you're looking forward to a DIR class it might have some value to you because it demonstrates the skills you'll be tested on. Cilff Notes for the Fundies Class I guess.
Send me a stamped self addressed mailer and it's yours.
Last edited by djanni; July 2nd, 2006 at 08:28 PM.
It's advertised as Essential for Recreational Divers but aside from a demontration of SMB deployment not much applied to the recreational diving we do.
Plus they use BP/Ws. Nobody in their right mind would use that for rec diving.
Men are like a fine wine. They start out as grapes, and it's up to women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.
Men are like a fine wine. They start out as grapes, and it's up to women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.
Don't be so defensive Jeff and I haven't seen you asking where to send the mailer.
I'm pretty condident that JeffG is already an accomplished recreational diver, and I'd bet good money he can already shoot a bag, helicopter, and mod flutter too.
As for why a recreational diver might be interested in actually learning to control their position in the water? Hmmmm, maybe so you won't silt up the site at 10am so that everyone that dives in the next 4 hours gets to see NOTHING. Or maybe so you don't cut open your BC when you try to do that swimthrough on that wreck at 50ft. Or maybe you'd actually like to learn to turn around and check on a buddy once in a while without having to stop, go vertical, and spin around. Or maybe you'd even like to take some pictures on a reef... wouldn't it be nice if you could actually hover for a few mintes and take pictures instead of trying to find somewhere to get on your knees?
This post wasn't intended to be critical of DIR. Or BP/w's, Jeff.
I am a little curious why certain kicks or spins would be essential to rec diving since the DVD doesn't give that information but mostly it was a poor purchase amd someone might get some use out of it.
I admitted the info on the DVD was readily available online at Amazon but I just didn't read it.
Or maybe so you don't cut open your BC when you try to do that swimthrough on that wreck at 50ft. Or maybe you'd actually like to learn to turn around and check on a buddy once in a while without having to stop, go vertical, and spin around. Or maybe you'd even like to take some pictures on a reef... wouldn't it be nice if you could actually hover for a few mintes and take pictures instead of trying to find somewhere to get on your knees?
I can do those things. You are assuming way too much. I will say this... the divers doing the demos had excellent buoyancy control. Solid as a rock. Obviously better than mine.
The DVD has its shortcomings. It does not have narration. It does have the Powerpoint presentation from the Essentials class. It does have beautiful examples of the correct execution of a number of skills, as well as a couple of examples of incorrect technique. The Intro to Tech DVD has most of the same material, but with voiceovers and grease pencil (and of course, additional skills).
Although you think the acquisition of the ability to use non-silting kicks or to position and maneuver yourself precisely underwater is useless, there are those of us who disagree. Our seafloor in Puget Sound is silty, and if you have dived behind a group of energetic flutter kickers and tried to see through the ensuing cloud, you would wish more people would learn non-silting methods of propulsion. I, for one, love the ability to hover quietly over something I want to watch, and am glad I have a back kick to help me do it. I find the helicopter turns useful on almost every dive, if the water pushes me past something I want to see more of, or to look for my buddy if he moves out of my sight.
I think buoyancy, control of position, and the ability to dive without disturbing the environment through which you pass ARE essentials of recreational diving. JMHO
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Originally Posted by Don Janni
