Diving "DIR" prior to Fundies

[MXGratefulDiver]

So I am working out dates for taking fundies, but I will be diving a bit before I am able to take the class. I have read many of the GUE texts, including dress for success. I am wondering, would it be bad form to use some of the features of DIR gear config prior to training.

Now I know that there is BOOKS ARE NO REPLACEMENT for proper training, and I do not presume to call myself DIR until I pass fundies. However, the utility of the system is clear to me. So, as long as I explain to my buddies ( and perhaps practice with them) what to do in emergencies (such as air share), do you DIR divers think it would be acceptable to use the long hose, necklaced backup reg, etc?

Just trying to see how the community feels about this.

I used a backplate and long hose rig for about three years before taking Fundies. Nobody complained. In fact, quite a few DIR-trained divers helped me learn how to use it properly.

That said ... don't assume that using the gear, or even passing Fundies makes you a DIR diver. DIR is more about how you think about diving than about the gear you're using. The gear is simply an efficient means to an end, and Fundies is simply a class that brings your skills to a level where you can begin to learn what it means to "dive DIR".

Don't get too hung up on what the DIR people think, or even with 'being DIR". What matters isn't acceptance into the club ... it's understanding why they do things as they do, then deciding if those reasons are a good fit with how you want to dive and why you want to dive that way.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[b1gcountry]

Don't get too hung up on what the DIR people think, or even with 'being DIR". What matters isn't acceptance into the club ... it's understanding why they do things as they do, then deciding if those reasons are a good fit with how you want to dive and why you want to dive that way.

Yeah, don't worry too much about labels. No matter what type of diver you become, or how far along the GUE path you go, there will always be someone to put you down and call you a stroke. And there will always be Dumpster and DA to call you a lemming and a nazi.

Tom

 

[rjack321]

And there will always be Dumpster and DA to call you a lemming and a nazi.

That's when you know you've "arrived"

 

[ScubaFeenD]

Why would you care about what community feels about it That's you who is learning not the community , if you do not put anyone in danger go for it. And you do not have to get an approval to wear a long hose. Many of my buddies and me as well are not DIR divers but use the advantage of the long hose. And why is calling yourself DIR is so important for you ? I spoke to my instructor who I'm taking the course with and we agreed that being familiar with the equipment can do nothing but help in the class. So IMHO get your config in place and go diving ! You going to waste time in the class if you struggle with the rig balance and will be fighting the trim instead of working on the fining and other techniques. Trim, balance and buoyancy are the things you better sort out before the class as much as possible IMHO. Once you have it nailed down all other techniques become way easier and you can devote more time for them. Trim, buoyancy and the balance are not difficult to explain and are all explained in the books and easy to understand but it takes time to get the rig in proper balance and feel it.

I don't care what people think of me per se, but I wanted to make sure there wasn't something I was missing. Perhaps there was something that I should be aware of prior to configuring my gear this way; that doesn't seem to be the case though. Beyond that I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't come off as some wanna be, especially in my area, where I would rather make friends--I could easily make a bad first impression.

If there are other GUE/UTD/DIR divers locally to go out and dive with, that's your absolute best bet before taking the class. They give you a mental picture of what you should look like, can offer comments and critiques, and generally enjoy diving a lot!

However, I wouldn't recommend practicing skills all that much before the class. It's so much easier to learn a skill correctly than it is to break bad habits and re-learn the skill correctly. Make sure that you're able to hover in good trim and just hang out before you take Fundamentals....there's a lot to be said about being able to do nothing. It will be very helpful in that you will have the bandwidth to be able to watch a demonstration and repeat it....rather than feeling like you have to keep moving so that you don't faceplant into the ground or run into your teammate.

I
That said ... don't assume that using the gear, or even passing Fundies makes you a DIR diver. DIR is more about how you think about diving than about the gear you're using. The gear is simply an efficient means to an end, and Fundies is simply a class that brings your skills to a level where you can begin to learn what it means to "dive DIR".

Don't get too hung up on what the DIR people think, or even with 'being DIR". What matters isn't acceptance into the club ... it's understanding why they do things as they do, then deciding if those reasons are a good fit with how you want to dive and why you want to dive that way.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I do not presume to think that anything make me DIR. I simply want the best training possible and and I want to be able to enjoy myself as much as possible.

Unfortunately, I do not have readily available mentors of DIR (GUE or UTD) divers around me. There are a few, but I think their higher training classification may exclude me from being able to dive a whole lot with them. I have heard that many people here have had in-person mentoring when it comes to gear setup and teaching skills, but here in Maryland it doesn't seem like that is possible; I have only been able to get electronic mentoring, for which I am ever so grateful. Hence, I may never be DIR if I cant find a group of other like minded individuals to dive with in the same fashion.

Please don't think that I am asking for approval, because certainly I will dive my gear the way I want. I was just looking for some guidance, because as of right now, I am on my own, and trying to get into this without going broke and traveling very long distances is not easy; it's a whole different ball game when you don't live in a location surrounded by a vibrant dive community. I can't even get any help from LDSs around here, because as soon as i mention BP/W they classify me as technical and claim that only a few guys around here bother with that--they don't even seem to know what DIR is. Hence, I am left to sorting through gear setup and figuring out what works on my own (with a little e-help from some very dear people on the boards here), only getting gear through online sources without being able to look at it, having no one loan me gear or show me what works for them, etc.

Thanks for your input though. I think my mindset is in the right place, but actually making this happen is becoming very difficult; I will persist and pursue this though.

 

[JeffG]

Don't forget Nemrod

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Don't forget Nemrod

He probably wouldn't make a very good DIR mentor ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[rjack321]

He probably wouldn't make a very good DIR mentor ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Eh, Nemrod's a character. Kinda like Jeff :angel:

 

[Chocula]

It is your decision what equipment and configuration you choose to dive with. It would be reasonable for your dive buddies to inquire about your gear and you should be able to explain any differences they should know about to effectively share air, perform a rescue, etc..

As long as you can show them you can effectively assist each other in an emergency and don't tell them this is how they are supposed to dive, I don't think you will encounter many issues with other divers. There may be a rotten egg from time to time (does not only apply to diving), try to smile and be polite; then remember why not to do this to anyone else.

Personally, I tend to change my gear slowly, get used to the change, then make another. That whole task loading thing. That said, I have gotten a necklace and have a long hose on order. I will worry about the backplate later, if at all.

 

[TN Traveler]

Don't forget Nemrod

Don't think Double Hose Regs meet DIR criteria.

But you could learn a lot from him about buoyancy and trim control.

 

[lamont]

The long-hose + necklace config requires a little more care in gearing up. You need to make sure that you always put the necklace on before the long hose and always do a modified S-drill to ensure that it isn't trapped (if you reverse the gear up order you wind up with 6" of deployable long hose). You can also get the long hose trapped in your waist strap and there's other minor gear up CFs that you get good at diagnosing and avoiding yourself after awhile, but where it helps to have a similarly minded buddy when you're just learning. It would also be helpful to practice some air shares to the point where you can complete it successfully without drowning -- even though it may not be up to DIRF standards. Common mistakes in donating are grabbing the body of the reg instead of the hose, and going in with your left hand to put your necklace reg in your mouth before you have cleared the long hose.