Near-DIR diving: Are there DIR things you would probably never do?

[JeffG]

I'm really starting to find it amusing

Just wait. In a few yrs more you will be posting like me and getting the odd unsolicited hate PM.

 

[sea nmf]

I think the entire philosophy behind DIR is sound. I won't go that route, though. It is really too structured for my style of diving in most cases. I have taken bits and pieces of the gear configuration and try to dive in synch with those DIR folks that I do dive with on occasion.

I agree with Lynn that no one in this thread has indicated they are superior divers (they may think that - but so do all kinds of divers think they are superior - so what?), and come across as exclusive.

I'm not sure why this bad attitude is still perpetuated by the non-DIR groups. But I can give some insight to why it was in the early stages. First of all, the name fries a lot of folks. Then, there used to be a real cult-like attitude in the early days by the "graduates" of fundies. I didn't take the class, but I suspect there was some of that stressed in the class itself.

However, since it has gone mainstream and the early reaction was so loud and harsh by the majority of other divers, they have obviously softened their stance, even renaming to GUE vs DIR.

So, I think it is time to move on from the bitterness. Can't we all just get along (not you, though, JeffG)?

 

[JeffG]

So, I think it is time to move on from the bitterness. Can't we all just get along (not you, though, JeffG)?

I aim to please. My new motto.

 

[Clammy]

I'm really starting to find it amusing, how we DIR folks are getting accused of marching around beating a big drum and chanting, "You will DIE, you will DIE, you're a STROKE, you're a STROKE."

In this thread, you've actually had a few people who identify themselves as DIR divers, talking about things that are taught or recommended that we don't like or don't see ourselves doing. NOWHERE in the thread have we criticized anybody else's way of doing things, or said somebody was going to die, or that they were a stroke.

In fact, I can't remember, in the three years I've been on SB, any of the SB members doing any of those things. A couple can be curt or even abrasive, but for the most part, we simply talk about why we like the way we dive, when we talk about it at all. For my own part, what I try to do is get out on the general part of the board and pass along some of what I've learned . . . Proper weighting, how to balance your rig for good trim, non-silting propulsion, better buddy skills. There are so many things I've gotten from my DIR training and from my DIR buddies that I want to share with other people! And yes, I know these things can be acquired or learned elsewhere, but this is where I got them, and I'm still grateful for that.

I didn't say specifically in this thread. I DID say even on the forums though. You did mention that some people sound abrasive or harsh, but look at it as a first impressions situations, most people will get turned off by that. Also, I didn't say all DIR folks, I even said it could be majority or minority (either way). And some DIR folks, or a few or whatever DO go around telling people they are going to get hurt or die. That's not a myth or rumor, it happens. I'm not knocking the system or the skills learned, I'm just saying that there is apparently an attitude shift that is not favorable to those on the outside. It may just be the nature of technical diving attracting people that are more prone to be a little more elitist and to have an actual system/organization to back that up can bring that out.

 

[JeffG]

And some DIR folks, or a few or whatever DO go around telling people they are going to get hurt or die. That's not a myth or rumor, it happens.

Cite please.

 

[rjack321]

And some DIR folks, or a few or whatever DO go around telling people they are going to get hurt or die. That's not a myth or rumor, it happens.

Since you seem to recall this rather vividly can you give us some examples?? Show me some posts pls.

I know one stroke who I can't fathom why he's not dead. But I don't go around trumpeting it. In fact I try to totally avoid him, not a worthwhile pursuit.

 

[Clammy]

Cite please.

I'm not gonna go through posts to find anything and admittedly no where that I've read so far on SB (obviously there are hundreds of thousands of posts in back history that no one is going to be able to go through), has anyone been so blunt about saying things like that. I have seen the defensive side come out on posts where essentially it's a game of, your way doesn't make sense or is stupid. Even SEEMINGLY in this thread, even if you choose to not see it that way or maybe I choose to see it that way. It just comes off that way though, again if a third party were just to read even this thread.

Now, if we took a poll or something of divers that have had bad experiences with DIR people being arrogant and getting rubbed the wrong way, there will be people that respond as yes. As I said in a previous post on this thread, it's happened in real life amongst people I know. A captain of a boat actually pulled a DIR guy aside and told him to shut up because he's making too many people nervous with his talk of how everyone elses equipment was a liability.

I just want to reiterate that I am not saying everyone is like this, what I am saying is that a few bad apples in a small group are enough to make it unattractive to many people.

Obviously I don't totally disagree with the actual system because I fully intend to take a fundies class. It's simply my observation as to things I disagree with and why there are anti-DIR people around. In fact, I don't like when people flat out tell me that going DIR is not good. I'm about taking the best of whats available, not a particular way or another, at least in diving.

 

[JeffG]

I'm not gonna go through posts to find anything

Figures.

Make claims but then can't back them up.

If someone did that to you, wouldn't you be a bit insulted?

It just comes off that way though, again if a third party were just to read even this thread.

I just want to reiterate that I am not saying everyone is like this, what I am saying is that a few bad apples in a small group are enough to make it unattractive to many people.

So?

If someone writes off a system due to some perceived notion's, its truly their problem, not the DIR diver. (Most of us couldn't care one bit if someone becomes "DIR")

DIR is not for everyone. (and DIR is not for everything either...just some diving situations and going to the bar.)

 

[ScubaAndDreams]

Since you seem to recall this rather vividly can you give us some examples?? Show me some posts pls.

I know one stroke who I can't fathom why he's not dead. But I don't go around trumpeting it. In fact I try to totally avoid him, not a worthwhile pursuit.

Is it really neccessary to continue to use that term on a public forum...?

 

[Clammy]

Figures.

Make claims but then can't back them up.

If someone did that to you, wouldn't you be a bit insulted?


So?

If someone writes off a system due to some perceived notion's, its truly their problem, not the DIR diver. (Most of us couldn't care one bit if someone becomes "DIR")

DIR is not for everyone. (and DIR is not for everything either...just some diving situations and going to the bar.)

Really? I can't back it up? I just gave you a real life example. This is part of my point, tunnel vision. I even said that admittedly on SB there weren't any blunt cases that I've personally seen. I've seen people post about real life situations, does this count? Yet, you choose to say "figures" in an obviously rude manner. I haven't made a single personal attack, I haven't even attacked the system itself. I've simply pointed out things I personally don't like. I've even said I like many aspects of DIR/GUE.

Do you really choose to believe that there isn't a single DIR diver out there or a handful that does the things that other people say they've seen/heard?