Why NOT DIR?

[OneBrightGator]

Since I have been banished, I will pick up here.

I'd love to hear about your experiences regarding DIR, aside from the two jerks that you mentioned previously. Anyone affiliation can have jerks...

Have you taken a fundies course? Read the book? Spent time discussing ideas with any one who dives that way?

As I said previously, those two experiences are examples of a prevalent attitude that is created by learning and following the philosophy. It goes from the freshly minted Fundy to the seasoned instructor.

Haven't taken Fundies, I would, but not worth the money at this point.
Own the book, read it a couple times.
Have quite a few friends who consider themselves DIR or well versed in it. 3 good friends who worked at EE when we were in school and plenty of cave-side conversations with people who claim to be DIR.

FWIW, I think most of the reasons people gave in this thread are BS. Their diving is either unsafe or they are ill informed about DIR.

 

[crosing]

Can someone please explain what koolaid means in the DIR world? I keep seeing references to it in posts but don't get it. Anyone?

 

[Teamcasa]

Its a Jim Jones reference.

Dave

 

[MBH]

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

I think Bob Sherwood did a fine job defining a balanced rig.

 

[crosing]

I took the DIR fundies with Bob, I rank it as one of the best courses I've ever taken.

 

[Nemrod]

Since I have been banished, I will pick up here.


As I said previously, those two experiences are examples of a prevalent attitude that is created by learning and following the philosophy. It goes from the freshly minted Fundy to the seasoned instructor.

Haven't taken Fundies, I would, but not worth the money at this point.
Own the book, read it a couple times.
Have quite a few friends who consider themselves DIR or well versed in it. 3 good friends who worked at EE when we were in school and plenty of cave-side conversations with people who claim to be DIR.

FWIW, I think most of the reasons people gave in this thread are BS. Their diving is either unsafe or they are ill informed about DIR.

Why cannot it be accepted that not every diver will care to take something called "Fundies" or want to dive within a team. This is a typical rant that all non DIR divers are uninformed and unsafe and hence strokes. How can you say that and offer any proof to support that statement other than typical DIR bias. The OP started this thread with a seemingly innocent question, the question seemed innocent but it was in fact a loaded question, that being that he asumed DIR was better and therefore why wouldn't everyone admit it and go DIR. The reason is because the assumption he made is incorrect. It is not always better and just by the nature of embracing DIR "Fundies" does not make a diver better. I am not even sure we can define better since this is not a competitive sport. If I make a dive solo, the same dive you make as a team and we all return to the surface healthy and happy--prove I am less safe.

As to safe vs unsafe, that is relative and challenging to define and nobody was ever guaranteed safety and I am not of the mind safety is always the number one requirement of every endeavor. Steve Facet flew a balloon around the world, I think of that as high risk. He died (it seems) on a much more routine flight in good weather in a certified and known fine aircraft. Fate is the Hunter.

N

 

[crosing]

It is not always better and just by the nature of embracing DIR "Fundies" does not make a diver better. I am not even sure we can define better since this is not a competitive sport.

N

I became a much better diver after taking the DIR-F class. The skills they teach are not taught in any other PADI class that I'm aware of. Better can be defined in terms of mastering buoyancy, trim, buddy awareness and doing skills such as valve drills, air sharing, mask remove/replace, shooting a bag all while maintaining neutral buoyancy and position in the water column. Another skill taught in DIR-F that I don't think is taught anywhere else is descending/ascending at 10 feet per minute. All of these skills lead to better safer diving and most importantly having more fun underwater.

Most of the posts in this thread only demonstrate the general ignorance of DIR.

 

[ShakaZulu]

Hmmm, how can I explain....The DIR guys have forgotten what it's all about. Just dive for the enjoyment of diving and leave the anal attitude at home. We are not exploring 100miles of caves in Florida, and if you are, then you need the DIR attitude.

I even notice it when I dive with the local wannabee DIR dewds, it's all about the trim and how they look underwater...so what, who cares. Take a picture and send it to your grandma, whoopee!

 

[Carribeandiver]

amazing the misinformation and wrong assertions that are presented here.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I became a much better diver after taking the DIR-F class. .... . Another skill taught in DIR-F that I don't think is taught anywhere else is descending/ascending at 10 feet per minute. All of these skills lead to better safer diving and most importantly having more fun underwater.

Most of the posts in this thread only demonstrate the general ignorance of DIR.

Is a descent rate of 10 fpm really DIR?