I have done cold water, low visibility, wreck penetration, night and current in fresh & salt water, including ice diving.
Ive been diving for 35 years, certified diver for 30 years and an active NAUI instructor since 1978.
I believe in the following philosophies:
A)When diving, we are all responsible for our own safety. With this responsibility comes the right to not only make our own decisions, but also to decide upon which criteria to base those decisions. In the rest of this posting, I refer to his paragraph as Point A.
B)I believe that there is usually more than one way to do something effectively.
C)I believe that almost everything is a matter of choice.
Given these beliefs, especially the second, my initial reaction to the concept of DIR is that these people should not be taken too seriously. The name Doing it Right, suggests that everything else is wrong, a concept that I reject.
However, it is always worth listening to what others have to say. You might learn something.
DIR says that your most important piece of equipment is your buddy. I agree with this, but this concept is not unique to DIR. It does nicely lead to: Rule#1
Rule # 1 - Don't Dive With Strokes. This is a good rule. Just as any diver can abort any dive at any time for any reason, any diver can also reject a buddy for any reason. Refer to Point A.
DIR says don't use computers. I disagree. Computers make diving easier, and allow for longer bottom times.
DIR has an all or nothing approach. Since I just disagreed with their computer philosophy, I am not DIR, nor do I want to be.
DIR also preaches physical fitness and proper preparation. I agree, but I am not aware of anyone who preaches otherwise. The level of required fitness and preparation varies with the type of diving. The requirements to dive Sting Ray City are not as stringent as they would be to dive the Andrea Doria.
DIR diver sets himself up to donate his primary regulator and breathe from the secondary if his buddy runs out of air. The secondary is neck laced for easy access and the primary is on a longer than normal hose. I believe this good alternate system to the traditional method of donating the octopus.
Having said that, I am a strong proponent of the keeping your regulator in your mouth. Removing your own regulator places you at risk. For wreck penetration or cave diving a 7-foot hose is required, and routing is a concern. The one that makes the most sense is to rout the second stage hose under your right arm, up your chest, around the neck and into your mouth. In this configuration the primary is donated to share air. I believe a side port (Oceanic Omega or Posiedon Cyclon ) 2nd stage to be the right choice here (It has no left or right, or upside down).
DIR preaches a streamlined, hydrodynamic equipment configuration. I agree with this but do not believe that streamlining is the most important factor in every decision.
DIR says that you should only have an SPG on your HP hose and that you should wear other instrumentation on your wrist. Furthermore, the SPG should be on a shorter than normal hose and clipped to your left hip D-ring. The reason is streamlining. I prefer to have both my integrated computer, and compass on a small console and retractor. This keeps them close, but easy to read. I wear a redundant SPG, and depth gauge console clipped to my right hip.
DIR says that divers should try to remain horizontal in the water. I agree with this concept, but I don't think this philosophy is unique to DIR. The weight belt does not have to be the only place to put weights.
DIR says that the Halcyon back plate and wings is the only buoyancy compensator anyone should use. I have seen, but not dove with this equipment. I use an aluminum back plate and wing, but its a Dive Rite. Less important is the harness. No quick disconnects or easy adjustment methods. DIR calls these failure points. While it is possible for these to fail, it is an extremely rare occurrence, (in 24 years of active teaching I've seen one)and I am quite willing to accept the risk that the plastic clips will last a long time. Something else I do not like about this BC is the power inflator and dump. I prefer the type that you can pull on to dump air from the BC.
DIR says the Jet fin is the only fin to have. This is CRAP. I dove with Jet fins for 25 years, "they are great fins" but technology changes. I switched to Mares Volo fins, and my air consumption dropped 20% (They're better)!
The SS spring straps are a good idea, and prevent strap breakage.This can be done easily on Mares fins with 4 3/16" SS shackles. (see separate string on Mares fins)
DIR says that you should only bring necessary equipment with you diving. I agree with this. Of course, deciding what to bring and what to leave behind is up to the diver, based on the type of dive to be made - refer to Point A.
DIR says no deep air. I agree. I have personally felt the effects of nitrogen narcosis below 125 feet. I do not feel competent or safe below at this depth. My choices are:
1. Limit the depth to less than 125 feet
2. Dive trimix.
3. Dont dive
Mike D
:blfish:
