if your bro can put it in 1st at 30mph i dont think thats good
1st gear is only to compensate for the tremendous amount of energy it takes to get your car to even move an inch
once the car is rolling even slowly it has exponentially more momentum.

u really shouldnt be putting it in first unless your completely stopped.

yes the 2nd to 1st thing does help save the synchros, i heard that from a DSM guy

~boom