DIR for recreational diving?

[r00t0fallevil]

Hey guys...

I recently became NAUI open water certified and SCUBA is quickly becoming one of my favorite things to do. I have been reading many threads about DIR and I am totally in agreement with the mindset. Unfortunately, the training I did with NAUI open water has none of the concepts in DIR. Does DIR make sense for recreational diving?

I would like to buy some equipment soon, but do to the difference in mindset, I might be wasting my money on a BC, for example, when I will eventually need a BP/W setup, long hose, field serviceable regulator, etc...

I am based in NY so my recreational diving spot is in the Caribbean. Eventually I would love to dive in NY, ie drysuit.

Any thoughts? I guess I might look a little weird with 7" hose in Cozumel?

Thanks...

 

[DennisS]

Go for it, if it's what you want to do.

 

[Mako Mark]

who cares of it looks weird, if you are interested in the hogarthian configuration, then you obviously have some understanding as to why it is the way it is. It just makes sense. Personally, I think you would get curiosity rather than ridicule in cozumel. people would be interested, and those who are not interested probably have seen enough tec diving equipment to think it is a normal choise.

 

[darkpup]

My wife and I took DIR-F (Feb, 2004) as our second class after PADI's OW. We've been diving the DIR rig for recreational dives since then, and plan on taking the long hose (5') to warmer waters when we get a chance.

We took the class to learn more about buoyancy and how to be safer divers, and I really liked the idea of standardizing skills and gear (i.e. my military service). Previous to the class, we were looking at going with ScubaPro Knighthawk/Ladyhawk setups until we had a chance to try out the BP/W setup. It was at the demo day that we realized the BP/W made the in water experience more enjoyable and less work.

Regardless of whether you ever take a GUE class, I would suggest getting out and diving the gear you're interested in purchasing. I have no doubt that the Knighthawk would have been an excellent choice for us (my brother has one, and loves it), but there's no way I'd give up my BP/W. My wife and I won't get into more technical diving for another 6 months to a year, and will continue to dive a BP/W setup for recreational dives.

~ Jason

 

[Snowbear]

Does DIR make sense for recreational diving?

Very much so!

I would like to buy some equipment soon, but do to the difference in mindset, I might be wasting my money on a BC, for example, when I will eventually need a BP/W setup, long hose, field serviceable regulator, etc...

You're smart At least you haven't already wasted your money on that other stuff, like those of us who did before we researched further.

I guess I might look a little weird with 7" hose in Cozumel?

Nah -Mark pretty much said it already...

 

[MSilvia]

I am based in NY so my recreational diving spot is in the Caribbean. Eventually I would love to dive in NY, ie drysuit.

Don't miss out... I dove wet comfortably in New England for years before I got a drysuit. From where I'm sitting, you're in warm southern waters!

 

[OE2X]

Many of the people that I dive with that are DIR are for the most part recreational type divers - especially myself. A few names on this board are Uncle Pug, Grateful Diver, Kalvyn, Snowbear. The team concept, finning techniques, bouyancy control, communication and other fundamental skills will all contribute to your pleasure of rec diving. Rec diving is all I do and this style has made me a better and more aware diver.

I regret not having configured myself DIR style when I decided to start diving locally and buying gear. It cost me a lot more money because I bought a bunch of stuff that I have no use for. Not necessarily because I was told that I couldn't use this style of gear for DIR, but because I saw the logic of not using it. Kalvyn started out DIR configured and he probably saved at least $1500. versus me.

I wouldn't worry about whether or not you look weird with a 7' hose in Coz. Just take time with your buddy to explain how your setup works in an OOA situation. I dive with a lot of non DIR divers and I do this at the beginning of every dive. If people think you look like a DIR wannabee, so be it. We all have to start somewhere. If you can find a fundamentals class to take, then jump on that.

 

[Tavi]

If you get into NAUI Technical training you will find it more DIR oriented. But there is a lot of training to do between open water and there.

When in the Caribbean I usually use a 5' hose. At home diving the Great Lakes and the St Lawrence River I use a 7'er. All my diving is with BP and Wings. I do get a lot of questions about my rigs.

I have seen other divers in the Caribbean with 7' hoses, maybe it's not as rare as you think.

PS. where in NY?

 

[Uncle Pug]

For starters... you don't need the gear to adopt the mindset... in fact just having the gear will not give you the mindset as is proven all the time here on the internet. Folks read about DIR and focus on the gear configuration and totally miss the mindset.

Since you mentioned the mindset in your second sentence I see you have already made a good start.

As to answering your question: yes... the DIR mindset is superb for recreational diving! And yes... the gear configuration works for recreational diving as well.

 

[DORSETBOY]

Personally, the enitre DIR setup is not for me, I'm not a fan of concepts that are very regimentalised but I recognise that it works for some people and that they like it.