How DIR are we, actually?

[lamont]

Everything that I've learned about DIR has been from the internet, so my perspective may be wacked, but it SEEMS that "you people" agonize over the smallest details and appear to spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about things like: perfect trim and balance in the water.

inability to hold trim and buoyancy while doing skills are an indication that the diver isn't comfortably doing the skill. my first valve drills involved a lot more broken trim and errant finning all over. as i've gotten more comfortable, i've been able to hold trim better and look (and feel) more comfortable doing the skills. the point here is not the trim actually but the comfort, the trim is just an indicator (a point which is lost on the internet usually). trim is also important near silty bottoms, and its important on deco so that the diver can react quickly to either a positive or negative buoyancy control issue. contrary, though, to popular opinion, the DIR police do not give you a ticket if you drop your knees while swimming along checking out fish...

 

[Thalassamania]

I dive. I enjoy it. That doesn't mean that I have to enjoy looking around to enjoy perfecting technique.

I do aikido. I enjoy it. That doesn't mean that I have to look for fights to enjoy perfecting technique.

 

[KMD]

I too find it tough to keep up with the exercise. After a long day at work it is difficult to put yourself in the gym for the time needed. As miserable as I am when working out, I do find that I feel a whole lot better when I am doing regular workouts.

Its about the team. As long as the team is reaching their goals (which for Rec divers is often to just have fun) in a safe, reasonably effecient manner, everything else is negotiable.

For the individual, fitness is one of the five decision points on whether to make the dive. Do I have the correct gear? Do I have the appropriate training? Do I have the appropriate skill? Am I mentally ready? Am I fit enough?

 

[Adobo]

THAT'S the problem you and other DIR people have. If a person takes Fundies but weighs 400 pounds and is an alcoholic...are they DIR and somebody who dives solo NOT?

Huh??

I think her point was to avoid having to rehash the same old crap such as the content of this post:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=2421435&postcount=55

FWIW, I personally avoid diving with people who are morbidly obese, abuse any type of substance, smoke, solo divers, tough guys, record setters, chest thumpers and individualists trying to reinvent the wheel. Less to do with DIR and more to do with plain old good sense.

 

[Adobo]

I too find it tough to keep up with the exercise. After a long day at work it is difficult to put yourself in the gym for the time needed. As miserable as I am when working out, I do find that I feel a whole lot better when I am doing regular workouts.

Its about the team. As long as the team is reaching their goals (which for Rec divers is often to just have fun) in a safe, reasonably effecient manner, everything else is negotiable.

For the individual, fitness is one of the five decision points on whether to make the dive. Do I have the correct gear? Do I have the appropriate training? Do I have the appropriate skill? Am I mentally ready? Am I fit enough?

Edit: Never mind.

 

[TSandM]

No, no, Ben, don't threaten me with Monastery in doubles again . . . What did I ever do to YOU?

I'm happy to read what anybody has to say in my threads, but by putting this one where I did, what I did NOT want to read was anybody questioning the validity or value of a DIR diving approach at its base.

DIR doesn't have a monopoly on good skills or good team behavior or fitness. It's just that it pretty much requires all three. JJ sets out what he considers to be the fitness goals for various levels of divers in his book (although I think the requirement that a technical diver be able to run a marathon is a bit ridiculous). GUE recommends that a DIR diver get a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week. The swim tests for the various classes give one an idea of what GUE has set as swimming ability for different levels of diver. That's also someplace I should be doing some work, as I am not a very strong swimmer.

Which is more important to the team, having all members healthy and fit for the contemplated dive, or having a bolt snap on the butt end of your light? But we'll spend TONS of energy fretting about the latter -- should I or shouldn't I, and if so, exactly how and where

 

[ArcticDiver]

Those who observed that I was not "DIR Bashing" were right on target. It is an unfortunate fact that, especially in communication mediums such as this, we filter through our preconceived notions.

DIR is no more, or less, valid than dive philosophies proposed by other agencies. It can develop thinking, independent divers just like other methodologies. Viewed as a marketing method it is an excellent example of creating industry loyalty; something every industry strives to achieve.

Certainly a competent person, whatever the activity, will be more relaxed and have the opportunity to have more fun than the incompetent. But this is a continuum that requires judgement by the participant; not a switch that is either so, or not so.

When a person is passionate about their sport, whatever it is, there is a real challenge to keep that passion from becoming an obsession. It is also a challenge to maintain the mental attitude to make one's own decisions rather than spend a lot of time seeking the approval of others for the most mundane things; especially in a sport like this that is essentially unregulated.

Added after "headhunter": If you were shooting at me you missed. I certainly use the DIR philosophy for much of my gear configuration and diving practice. I enjoy and have learned from the posts here. But, as has been pointed out by others there is a matter of focus involved as was pointe out in the post prior to mine.

 

[headhunter]

********** MOD POST **********

This thread has remained relatively civil, but there are some posts that some believe have crossed the line concerning the rules for the DIR forum. Occasionally, we need to remind people about the rules of the DIR forum.

I'd like to bring to everyone's attention the rules of this forum contained in the sticky thread at the top of this forum and will repeat them here for everyone's convenience.

The emphasis is mine, but the rules were posted by the owner of this board who happens to be a non-DIR diver. This is not a value judgement and I only mention that the owner is a non-DIR diver because it takes away the notion that some people have that this is all a DIR conspiracy.

Just a few guidelines...
1) No trolling! This is not the place for agency bashing! This is especially not a place for bashing DIR divers. Refer to What is Trolling for any questions about what constitutes a troll.
2) This forum is for a free exchange of ideas concerning DIR, but it is NOT intended to limit any mention of DIR to only this forum. There are many things pertaining to DIR that will be discussed in other forums as well.
3) All the rules of the board still apply here. You don't get to harrass or call people names. Civility should rule.
4) Most of all, have fun and learn something at the same time. Read our Mission statement and TOS for clarification.
5) This forum is NOT intended to replace or reduce the need for training with a qualified instructor. You might get more out of this forum if you have at least completed a DIR-f course.
6) The answers in this forum are member's best attempts to answer questions within, and according the DIR diving philosophy. If you wish to give a non-DIR answer, please do not post it in this forum. If you do not wish your question to be limited to DIR answer, please ask it in another applicable forum.

Everyone is free to post in the DIR forum as long as they are asking questions for the purpose of gaining a better understanding of the DIR system and philosophy or providing answers and statements that support the DIR philosophy. Anything else just adds to the confusion for those looking for answers. Debates about whether something is or is not DIR is fair game amongst those who are trying to adhere to the DIR philosophy. This is not the place for non-DIR divers to argue against the DIR philosophy. You can do that in another forum.

In addition to that, please remember that agency bashing is not allowed in this or any other forum regardless of which agency it is.

********** MOD POST **********

 

[KMD]

No, no, Ben, don't threaten me with Monastery in doubles again . . . What did I ever do to YOU?

Dont sell yourself short though. You did walk out of monastery in those doubles which is no small feat.

Which is more important to the team, having all members healthy and fit for the contemplated dive, or having a bolt snap on the butt end of your light? But we'll spend TONS of energy fretting about the latter -- should I or shouldn't I, and if so, exactly how and where

I wonder if that is because there is a small voice in the back of our heads going, "Oh God if I dont get this D-ring configured correctly, GI3 will appear in a puff of smoke, call me a stroke, rip off my DIR patch and never let me dive in HIS ocean again."

 

[KMD]

Edit: Never mind.

Comon Teddy-bear what were you going to say? :huh: