cancun mark:
This has all the makings of celebrity death match:
In the red corner, Dweeb and O-ring, in the blue corner Novadiver and H2Andy.
Isee this as one of the primary disadvantages of DIR, that everyone seems to take themselves so seriously on the pro and con sides of the fence. Lighten up, this is about diving, it is supposed to be enjoyable.
Also because it hasnt been around for 30 years like some other agencies, it has limited geographical coverage, accessability and this creates the impression of "exclusivity" which can be misinterpreted as elitism etc. I think it needs the myths busted open. there is too much mis information about it.
As always, there is some spirited debate on the subject.
I dunno about all this warfare talk. I like the passionate dialog. Its just easier to be passionate about DIR than about your mask, or your tank, or your camera (unless you unfortunately shoot Canon.) DIR gets more attention and passion than the gear rooms here on SB.
I'm a recreational weenie who dives DIR. And I do take it very serious - the "it" being safety underwater, preparation and fitness above water and the selection, care and maintenance of my gear.
Honestly, the people that scare me are the throngs of casual divers I run into on boats and in the dive parks - the "la la la look at the fishie" types who's heads aren't in the game and who pinball off every rock, wreck and bottom element they are unfortunate to come across.
These friggen roto tillers with their purge valve 6 window clear masks, plastic split fins and pretty colored jacket BC's awash with every Trident gadget the LDS can clip to them are the ones to be afraid of. There is no serious aspiration to get better and hone their skill level. These are the people I fear, not the DIR (soup) Nazis.
The former don't take themselves or the pursuit of diving seriously enough, if you ask me. A newbee putting in the time will bounce all over the place - I'm OK with that. We all did.
I'm talking about these people who've been diving for years and aspire to nothing more than "la la la look at the fishie" while breaking stuff off and stirring stuff up. These are the ones that freighten and quite frankly hack me off.
Doesn't mean there aren't purge valve splitfinners with mad skills. Just as there are DIR roto tillers.
Will I dive with someone like this? Not if I have a choice. It just sucks the life out of a dive for me anymore. Does this make me an elitist snob? No way. But I am very picky about who I surround myself with underwater. In some cases a rototiller is better than no buddy at all. But I've passed and sat out a dive on a number of occasions to keep from buddying up with a gardener, or hunter, or some other diver I wasn't confident in.
Anyone who knows me or dives with me knows I'm not one of those DIR (soup) Nazis who manages to wretch every ounce of fun out of diving for himself and anyone else unfortunate to be around him. You know these guys. There has to be balance.
Back to the topic - I'd say the downside to DIR the commitment. There can be no "I'm a little DIR"... its just not like that.
Keeping yourself in shape, keeping your skills at a high level, outfitting yourself correctly, maintaining a good attitude and grounded outlook when you get no support (number the LDS's that support real DIR in So Cal...) and are always in a minority in every dive situatiuon isn't always a fun place to be in. And for some people, pride of skills and affiliation with a solid organization runs away and moves into the ego Pug spoke about. And you get the DIR idiots.
The downside of DIR is keeping your self in check. For me, that's the issue. Working the skills, checking my attitude and sticking with it.
K
