DIR-F Advice please

[Helen F H]

I am doing my DIR-F at the end of the month. Very nervous about this now, and have the full knowledge that i am going to fail in spectacular fashion (im sure photos will be posted for your amusement).

Anyone have any advice, stuff they wished they had taken, hadnt taken, stuff i can read to prepare.

[Juz]

Originally Posted by Porg

have the full knowledge that i am going to fail in spectacular fashion

That would obviously be quite a blow to ones confidence, would it not be better to postpone it a couple of months and in that time do some practise on the things you know are covered to try to make sure you're as prepared as possible?


Juz

[And]

Hi

It is very rare for someone to 'fail' unless they can't actually swim, don't put yourself down. A provisional is no real hardship, and you will have a one to one discussion focussing on your good and bad points.

Make sure you remember your swimming stuff for the swim test.

Don't dive a twinset for the first time on the course.

Take a lot of care over kitting and dekitting, especially drysuit seals (I broke one on mine!)

If you have a pee-valve then make sure you get plumbed in. They are a god-send in cold water.

Relax and have fun.

Andy

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by And

Make sure you remember your swimming stuff for the swim test.


Andy

Andy just out of interest what is involved in the swim test.

[turbanator]

Try not to look on it as pass or fail.

I've not done DIR-F, it was not available, but I did Cave-1 ages ago with GUE.
You get taught new stuff, but the instrauctors are not going to test you on things that you have not been taught.

When you do pass, you can be well chuffed, because failure is a possibility rather than just getting a cert for attendance.

r
Paul

[Helen F H]

Originally Posted by And

If you have a pee-valve then make sure you get plumbed in. They are a god-send in cold water.


Andy

That would be a nappy then. How long will we be spending in the water each day?

[Fraser]

Porg,

Do you have access to any DIR divers in your area? If you can get a few dives in before the course with some DIR guys that'll help a lot, otherwise as Andy says just relax... assuming you can do the swim test and are not a hazard to yourself and others I'd be surprised if you fail.

Fraser.

[And]

Hi

275 meters in 14 minutes

15 meters underwater on one breath.

Andy

[David Wallace]

Originally Posted by And

If you have a pee-valve then make sure you get plumbed in. They are a god-send in cold water.

Relax and have fun.

Andy

If Porgs using a pee valve then I want to be there to see it!!!!!

Sorry And, great words of wisdom as usual - apart from Porg = Helen

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by And

Hi

275 meters in 14 minutes

15 meters underwater on one breath.

Andy

Cheers, nothing too difficult there then.