1st try at DIR - (not too happy)

[dakotadog42]

OK so I have been changing gear configurations like over the past couple of seasons trying to get rid of the little annoyances.I had gotten to the point where I am really happy with the way things are set and BLAMMO I find this DIR info floating around out there. So I thought I would give some pieces of it a whirl. Let me tell you it doesn't work for me.

Diving in NE with my gloves on made it really hard to clip or unclip my SPG. I don't know how you are supposed to see the thing clipped there. I got to the point of massive annoyance and finally just left it loose. (give me back my retractor) Hanging the second reg around my neck took some getting used to, the thing kept swinging up and whacking me on the primary reg , but I suppose I could live with it. Wrist compass and computer - not so good for lobster hunting.... but I would like to try this config on a wreck.

Getting back in my boat rigged this way; not a chance. I normally inflate my BC, clip on a trailing line from the boat unclip the left shoulder and roll out of the gear in the water. I then leave it floating until I am back onboard. The elimination of my quickrelease on my left shoulder made getting out of the gear really hard not to mention the octo reg almost ripping off my mask as the tubing got caught. I suppose it would work well if you had a dive ladder like on charter boats, but 99% of all private boats don't There is no way I can get aboard my or any of my friend's boats wearing a bc/ tank combo.

Parts of this I like, the no metal-to-metal contact makes sense, thigh pockets on the drysuit ( soon), the rest well...doesn't seem to work for me.

 

[Uncle Pug]

First Try = Conclusion

 

[AquaTec]

sounds like you jumped right in the deep end.

remember the first rule in gear configuration, change one piece at a time and get comfortable with that, then change another.

you will find that a lot of DIR makes since and works well. but just don't jump in the deep end if you are not ready

 

[Spectre]

dakotadog42 once bubbled...
Diving in NE with my gloves on made it really hard to clip or unclip my SPG.

My first dive was tough... I couldn't get it... and then I got my pony bottle instead, and then ....

Anyway... it took a couple dives, but now it's second nature to clip and unclip.

Hanging the second reg around my neck took some getting used to, the thing kept swinging up and whacking me on the primary reg

Hmm... I've not had that problem. How do you route the hose on it? I route mine under my right arm. The range of motion isn't full, but it's enough to suck on it while I get my buddy situated with my primary, then take it out of my mouth and bring the hose above my shoulder...

Getting back in my boat rigged this way; not a chance. I normally inflate my BC, clip on a trailing line from the boat unclip the left shoulder and roll out of the gear in the water.

First...you should still be able to ditch your gear, but it might be a little tougher...

Second. What do you have again? [I forgot]. My buddy has a Whaler, and we found 4 step ladder that we pull out and stick on the side of the boat when we go in the water. We both used to take off our belts, throw 'em aboard, take off our rigs, hand one to the buddy while the other gets on board then lifts 'em up. Now we just toss our fins in the boat, and climb on up [he still throws up his belt and integrated weights though...]

Overall, I'd say give it a few more dives before you decide to scrap it. Anything different is going to have an adjustment period to get used to it... I know it took me a few dives to get truely comfortable in the rig [actually I'm still screwing with my buckle to get it right...]

 

[The Chairman]

Sounds like you were trying to rig like DIR divers, which means you were rigging a modified Hogarthian rig. DIR diving encompasses gear and whole lot more. Don't get sucked in to the falacious belief that changing your gear to DIR is the same as becoming DIR. You will be chasing your tail! In the same vein, putting on a uniform does not make you a Navy Seal either, just as wearing an earring does not make you gay.

I dive a modified Hogarthian rig, but am NOT a DIR diver. I will be taking the DIRf course sometime in the future, so that I can truly gauge how their entire system of diving works, but I know for a fact that for them, their attitude defines the rig and not the other way around. It sounds as though you really only tried the Hogarthian rig, and not the entire DIR diving philosophy.

I too share some of your concerns about "thangs" on my wrist. I really like them unencumbered so I can reach in for a bug or three. I have some other methods that I have grown to love that I will be hard pressed to give up... but I am open to seeing what they are really about, not what a few espouse they are about.

 

[large_diver]

Don't ditch it yet -- it definitely takes some getting used to...but then again so does any new piece of gear.

As for the SPG -- it takes practice. Once your body starts to "remember" where your hip D-ring is, you don't even have to look at it to clip or unclip it.

I have definitely had some dives where I was not 100% comfortable.....

Then again, once you get used to the gear and the skills, you have dives like I had this weekend where everything "clicks", making the dives fun and enjoyable.

Don't give up yet!

 

[Uncle Pug]

...maaaaybe dakotadog42 doesn't have anything to really ditch.... I didn't notice anything about backplate and wings... or any of the other *stuff* that makes the rig work....

But in case I missed it... dakotadog42... if you do have a bp/wing there are a few folks on board here that want to buy it.


BTW.... we always take our rigs off in the water before boarding the boat too.... but then we are using BP/harness and wings so it is very quick and easy.

 

[dakotadog42]

I am well aware to only change things one at a time, and to give it time. I just thought I would give a little feedback. I would love to take a DIRF class but at last look at the GUE calender there weren't any scheduled inside the USA in the foreseeable future. I have been diving for almost 20 years and have gone through many gear evolutions. I dove about 4 dives rigged this way and spent the better part of the morning changing the configuration and getting used to the new setup even before getting wet.

Spectre - I think you hit it on the Octo - I had the hose running over the shoulder not under - my bad. Seems like it would work much better under. I missed that one when setting up.

I think that this system has merits, and some of these things take getting used to - but this kind of rig seems well suited for certain situations and is not the end all for everyone

FYI I have a 25' Maxum cuddy cabin. My friend has a 24 foot Bayliner, and another a 28' sportfisher. All 3 of these boats have a swim ladder less than ideal for diving. When I used to dive out of my Glastron bowrider it had a low enough freeboard that I could strip off gear and toss it in the boat - no way with the larger boats. If I get to it, I may try to learn to weld stainless and consruct a proper ladder this winter.

 

[Aquamaniac]

dakotadog42 once bubbled...
Hanging the second reg around my neck took some getting used to, the thing kept swinging up and whacking me on the primary reg , but I suppose I could live with it. Wrist compass and computer - not so good for lobster hunting.... but I would like to try this config on a wreck.

.

1.Sounds like its too loose, I have mine tight, very tight. Added bonus is that in an oxtox situation, you can stick your backup reg in your mouth and use the bungee as a strap, to prevent it coming out in the event of a "pass out" (hope it never happens).

2. I Agree with a wrist mount being an issue with lobster hunting.
Only solution I have found so far is to put my wrist mount in my pocket when I start "reaching under ledges". I put it back on when Im done.

Dave

 

[large_diver]

The back-up (octo) hose should be running OVER your shoulder, but should be on a realtively short (22-24") hose. The back-up necklace should also be relatively short so that the back-up is hanging just a little below your chin.