Disadvantages of DIR ?

[Wendy]

I can give you the arguements that the anti-DIR folks will give you:

1. We're religious fanatics, kool-aid, etc.
2. Don't like to be told how to dive.
3. We blindly follow our leaders
4. Unified equipment won't work for "my" kind of diving.
5. Too rigid.
6. Too elitist
7. No "personal preferences"
8. Don't want a hose "wrapped around my head" !!
9. Antiquated methods
10. I love my computer
11. I love deep air and I can "cope" with it.
12. I love my 15 d-rings
13. Wings will push your face into the water at the surface.

I'm sure I'm missing a few. Anyone want to add on??

And to add to this, DIR there are reasons why we dive the way we do and do things the way that they are done and divers that are DIR know these reasons.

 

[O-ring]

Sure, here's a few more:

14. I can't miss "all you can eat night" at the Chicken Fried Steak Hut
15. It's "safer" diving by myself than with a boat assigned buddy (no concept of ONO)
16. I like to keep my ppo2s as high as possible so I can get more bottom time or less deco. I don't see the problem with this, we have been doing this for years and had no problems.

 

[Mako Mark]

There Is None

except denial.

 

[orcatwiggy]

I want to be a DIR diver. I was just asking...ever wanted to take back a post :06:

Thank you all for your comments.

Mr Moderator,

please erase this thread. Burn it...nuke it...Thank You

 

[O-ring]

I want to be a DIR diver. I was just asking...ever wanted to take back a post :06:

Thank you all for your comments.

Mr Moderator,

please erase this thread. Burn it...nuke it...Thank You

Nah, we are just kidding around... I think the disadvantage I posted is a valid one.. It takes a lot of time and effort to practice the basic skills to the passing point and a lot of people won't deal with that since they can go sign up with agency xxx or xxxxx and get a card as soon as they swipe the visa.

 

[O-ring]

Concomitantly, a lot of times there is no local DIR instructor, so you might incur travel expenses and use up valuable vacation time taking (and possibly retaking ) the classes.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Would there be a better forum for this thread. I put it here because I thought there wouldn't be any DIR bashing. You're probably right.

Folks who do not have a personal experience with DIR (i.e. actual GUE training and experience diving DIR) cannot really comment accurately as to any downsides.

Those who only have a piecemeal approach to DIR, or worse yet an internet based (mis)understanding, will post what they see as downsides but when the system is take holistically those supposed downsides evaporate back into thin air.

You were correct in your initial post in seeking advice from those who have experience in non-DIR diving and who have genuine experience in DIR (perhaps even GUE training beyond the DIRf introductory class.)

That said, I will mention a few areas of diving where DIR may not be optimal IMO:
1) Commercial Diving
2) Public Safety Diving
3) Military Diving
4) Cyber Diving

For the diving I do anymore... which is all recreational... whether *technical* or plain vanilla... DIR has been a positive experience.

 

[cornfed]

I am beginning my diving career and would like to hear some objective opinions, if there are any, to starting off with the DIR methodologies.

In all honesty, if you're new to diving I think DIR is a really good place to start. I started down this road not long after I started diving and I'm very glad I did. It saved me from a lot of the classic trial-and-error mistakes new divers make.

 

[cornfed]

Concomitantly, a lot of times there is no local DIR instructor, so you might incur travel expenses and use up valuable vacation time taking (and possibly retaking ) the classes.

That is probably the single biggest disadvantage.

 

[jbd]

This is not meant to start a thread of negativity towards DIR.

For those experienced in both "traditional" and DIR diving, what would be some disadvantages to proceeding with DIR.

I am beginning my diving career and would like to hear some objective opinions, if there are any, to starting off with the DIR methodologies. I have done alot of research on DIR and am aware of the benefits. But there are always down sides to something, or are there?

Thanks
John

John,

At the level of DIR-F there really aren't any disavantages or a downside to to taking the class. Seeing and learning the skills and techniques used in that "style" of diving will improve your diving. Much of the knowledge part of the class is stuff that should be taught in all OW classes regardless of agency but is nowadays glossed over lightly or just not covered.

If there is a downside it would depend on who you are as an individual and how you feel about some of the philosophy of the DIR concept.

In my case, I now incorporate much of what I learned in DIR-F into the classes I teach. However, while I understand the thinking behind the use of nitrox for all depths to 100 ft and trimix beyond that, I don't totally agree with it. Consequently I will dive air to 130 ft. I do use nitrox sometimes. I also enjoy solo diving but I do like a good dive buddy also. I am alos not quite as concerned about gear as some DIR folks are. I really do like my jacket style BC that I have used for the past 10 years. Only had one opprotunity to use the BP/wing set up and that didn't go too well. That said I do have plans to acquire BP/wings in the very near future.

While I do somethings that are contrary to DIR philosophy I will say that it is a concept that is very well thought out. IMHO it will improve the quality and enjoyment of your diving.

Like all concepts it should not be shunned nor embraced blindly.

Sorry if this is convoluted and possibly self contradictory but I don't see things in black and white--just varying shades of gray.