DIR: God's gift to diving or Hell spawn?

[The Chairman]

First of all, I love to launch my polemics... they are so pretty when 'splode up in the sky!

Secondly, MOST of us do NOT have a problem with the gear deployment OR in the way you train. Isolating each of these "elements" of DIR diving would be more productive and far more informative to me. I like your knife thread...I like your Find you Buddy thread (although I first thought it was a search and rescue question). They are very specific and have some good thoughts presented with very, very little rancor.

Greg is NOT the first to feel attacked when he disagreed with the philosophy. Unfortunately, it sometimes seems that the DIR crowd can bash all of the other certifying agencies, and yet when a valid opinion about how someone perceives DIR comes along, they are attacked and labeled... as "anti-DIR". There have been specific issues that -I- have vociferously disagreed with, and I know that I have been labled as such. When I ordered the DIR book, some were amazed. They shouldn't be. I love to learn about diving in general, and other ways of doing things in specific. I don't think I could EVER be DIR because of the last part. I believe evolution occurs only through mutation... mutation can seldom occur when uniformity is so highly prized.

So settle on each specific issue, and we can always debate the philosophy on the "DIR Feedback" thread.

Where did I put my Henderson Gold Lamae Flame suit???

 

[Lost Yooper]

Shoot! I missed this one! :upset: . I missed the chance to dispell some DIR myths, bash some agencies, and just plain argue with someone! OK, next time there's a DIR argument (I mean discussion ), I DEMAND to be notified, so I can jump in the ring too!

Argg! Argg!

Mike

 

[VTWarrenG]

LOL!

Don't worry Mike, there's a whole field of divers left to mash... er... educate.

- Warren

 

[Lost Yooper]

[sound of crackin' knuckles]

Let's role!!



Mike

 

[kwesler]

quick observation-why all the emotion around this these issues (I know-rhetorical question)? It seems to me that EVERY approach and EVERY philosophy is worthy of intelligent review, and should probably even be revisited on an ongoing basis. Bottom line is that diving is not, and has never been, a static sport, but has evlolved, and will continue to evolve. As more divers become part of the sport, their collective knowledge, perspective and experience enhances what we do, and how we do it, IF WE ARE OPEN to their observations. No certifying agency, philosophy or manufacturer, from my observation, has cornered the market on deragatory statements, condescending attitudes and sheer bullheadedness!

My $.02

Ken

 

[VTWarrenG]

Ken,

You're quite right about the attitude bit.

However, you're wrong in assuming that DIR is "static." DIR has evolved significantly, and continues to change with technology and new physiological information. DIR divers have prompted the creation of loads of new gear, simply to satisfy their needs. When something big comes out, like rebreathers or scooters, they integrate the new technology into their working systems. When new physiological findings come out, they integrate the new knoweldge into their deco procedures or gas mixes.

In fact, some would say that's why DIR even exists -- DIR divers have the wherewithal to examine and think critically about their gear and make appropriate and necessary changes. Many DIR divers would say that THEY are the ones willing to evolve -- it's the cattle boats full of divers dragging their shotie octos through the reef sand that are unwilling or unable to change.

- Warren

 

[kwesler]

I apparently was not clear...I was trying to say EXACTLY that! I was trying to say that DIR, and other philosophies need to be ever evolving. By that statement I did not mean to imply that DIR is NOT evolving. I am a DIR diver myself precisely for that reason-constant re-evaluation of methodology and THINKING about diving holistically-physical condition, equipment etc. etc.

Ken

 

[kwesler]

Another thought...my favorite saying is "Fish stinks from the head" The main source of inflexible thinking is the classroom, where teachers, who are not properly certified (in teaching, not diving) promulgate their own opinions as facts, and belittle new divers who question their methods.

Isn't it interesting that we qualify teachers who are responsible for life saving skills less than those who teach anything else.

 

[The Chairman]

"A "holistic approach" to something, means that someone, somewhere is just being a$$-holistic about it." That was just too funny to pass up.

 

[kwesler]

sigh...