Why NOT DIR?

[Thalassamania]

Sorry, That was in response to a post that said , "It makes me a little uneasy to know that they (GUE) won't let me use one (weightbelt) in cave, although I have a hard time imagining when, at the Cave 1 level, I'd ever want to take my gear off underwater. And if I ever got to restrictions where it might be necessary, the cave itself is going to control my buoyancy, so to speak!" It was also a general look at the most basic DIR concept, "a heavy backplate" which I tend to think is rather a bad idea.

 

[Dan Gibson]

Where the heck are picking this up from?

It was also a general look at the most basic DIR concept, "a heavy backplate" which I tend to think is rather a bad idea.

 

[*Floater*]

Correct me if I'm wrong Cave Diver,

Being DIR, do you have to "have" certain equipment such as:

1. double tanks
2. Jet fins
3. Octopus hose that wraps around your neck
4. Drysuit

As for training, I heard thats another story and it looks more stricter then Padi or Naui guideline for diving. Otherwise, I'm confused :confused2 otherwise, I've had run-ins with mean people who "claim" to be DIR but are in fact, mr. know-it-all. Unlike you C.D.

Royston

Just to elaborate a bit on Jeff's answers:

1. Only for tech dives.
2. No, but Jet fins and similar are best for frog kicking and other alternative kicks. DIR divers don't use split fins or fins with soft blades like force fins.
3. You stow your backup (octo) under the chin with a bungee necklace. You route your 7ft primary hose across the chest and behind the neck, but not around it.
4. Drysuit is preferred for backup buoyancy when necessary, but wetsuits are fine too as long as you can still swim your rig up provided that your wing fails.

 

[DeepBound]

It sounds like a good system, but I don't want to be associated with the DIR know-it-alls on the internet. They can be pretty rude, although you can tell it's usually the less intelligent (or less educated) ones who just memorized the rules without understanding them who act like that.

Also I like to dive solo.

 

[Peter Guy]

Why am I "DIR" or "Not DIR?" Well, since I still don't know how to define a "DIR Diver" I'm unable to say -- although I am probably NOT a "DIR Diver."

Why not? Probably for the reason Thal mentioned -- the "one size fits all" concept that (may be) "DIR."

I'm primarily a recreational diver and I happen to like to dive in groups in warm water. On my typical dive I'm doing a severe multi-level profile and while I have tried to outline my gas useage, it is more likely than not to be "winged" and I tend to use a computer for my primary no-deco planning.

I think TS&M nailed it with her comment that Thal is using for his tagline:

"Good buoyancy control, control of your trim, the ability not to silt out a dive site, good buddy skills, sharp emergency procedures, and excellent situational awareness ARE for everybody who dives."

That much of "DIR" I believe I've internalized and accepted. There are still a few parts though....

 

[MichaelBaranows]

1. I spearfish
2. I like my Atomic Split fins

 

[Bob Sherwood]

without trying to teach on line, I want to mention I think some are missing an understanding of philosphy. We want people to dive a balance rig. one that allows a diver to swim with ease their equipment off the bottom in the event of a wing failure at max depth with full tank/s and the ability to maintain nuetral bouyancy at last stop ie 10' at end of the dive with near empty tank/s. this can be done in different ways. an one not need to subscribe to these beliefs. It is free choice. Personally I can not ever see a time that I would need to ditch a weight belt and head to the surface, but I plan my dives/equipment choices differently than others. For sure if you are not diving a balance rig, you will/should have ditchable weight. and even in the DIR/GUE world, there are times when choices are made to dive unbalanced rigs, ie cave, quarries ect.
most people's dislike for DIR/GUE divers relates more to poor people skills than actual discussion of differences in a shared passion. I always enjoy discussions on differing opinions with thoise who share similar adventures but aproach them in different ways. But here in some cases, I think people want ford to make chevy's <G>
Everyone have a great day. I'm off to Japan. <G> best, bob

 

[Tomeck]

I know badly DIR, but I wouldn't like with DIR, because I will continue to dive very deep at 200 feet with air only.

 

[Cacia]

relates more to poor people skills than actual discussion of differences in a shared passion

yes...................

I like to get as close to things as possible without a comittment. The goal of getting what you can from a philosphy and keeping your options open just really floats my boat.

I love diving "around" DIR divers and am happy to be in the vicinity. I'm just not a team person, never have been. But I respect it.

It goes against my fundamental nature to make group decisions. I think I am a very safe diver counting on only myself because I am very clear on what my limits are (at a given point in time) That would be murky in a team and would totally throw me into a tailspin, mentally.

Many DIR divers are driven people and so very enjoyable and stimulating to be around in real life.

 

[Thalassamania]

without trying to teach on line, I want to mention I think some are missing an understanding of philosphy. We want people to dive a balance rig. one that allows a diver to swim with ease their equipment off the bottom in the event of a wing failure at max depth with full tank/s and the ability to maintain nuetral bouyancy at last stop ie 10' at end of the dive with near empty tank/s. this can be done in different ways. an one not need to subscribe to these beliefs. It is free choice.

To me a balanced rig means also that when removed, the rig, and by extension the diver, are both reasonably close to neutral. Achievement of this goal requires (in most cases) the use of a weightbelt.