How DIR are we, actually?

[Adobo]

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

str*ke.

 

[rjack321]

Can someone with a BMI in the 60s be DIR? Like a 350 lb person...

Yes, if they are making progress towards getting their BMI down. We are all working on our weaknesses to greater and lesser degrees. This hypothetical person has a big weak spot and needs to address it. It will limit their ability to be a good teammate.

But they may still be able to participate on a DIR team, maybe just easy dives. But they aren't automatically out of the club.

Ditto IMO for a smoker who is trying to quit. I would not deco dive with them, but if they are making a good faith effort - I would do recreational dives.

A solo diver? Maybe. Depends on their dedication to the team.

An obese person losing weight or a smoker trying to quit demonstrate their committment to the team tangibly. A solo diver is harder to evaluate. What they do on their own time I don't care about. But a team mate must be there and a solo diver's committment to the team can be hard to evaluate.

 

[theskull]

********** 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.



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 **********

I would be hard put to pick any single post in the current discussion and argue that it was not trying to better understand or explain the DIR philosophy. Not all involved in the discussion wish to become or be known as DIR divers, but that doesn't prevent us from wanting to better understand it, or even to help others better understand it -- and some of it's limitations.

2 additional thoughts:

1. There are entire bulletin boards that are only open to DIR adherents where they can show the secret handshake and share the gospel among the choir. Here we have the entire diving population represented, and there are many misunderstandings about DIR that have the potential to be cleared up among those who would otherwise never be exposed to the philosophy.

2. A great many of those who here proclaim that they are DIR and give advice on same ALSO only know what they do about DIR from reading about it on the internet. It is not uncommon to read months worth of comments from someone regarding their DIR diving and THEN read that they just signed up to take a DIRF course.

Let's be civil, certainly! But let's also lighten up a little and not feel threatened if an occasional question seeks to understand why practicing skills can be as much fun as taking pictures of fish. And boy oh boy, do I EVER enjoy practicing skills on my dives!



theskull

 

[scubatexastony]

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.
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?

....and I have no question as to the validity or the philosophy, moral philosophy, and metaphysical philosophy of DIR. What I feel is, it's another way for divers to find mentors. It affords another medium where they can learn more, but as you pointed out, skills, team (awareness), and fitness are not inclusive to DIR. I can't see where a weekend class makes one suddenly proficient (noun. an expert –adjective. well-advanced or competent in any art, science, or subject; skilled: a proficient diver), it takes a lot more than suddenly seeing the light and drinking the koolaid.

I was home weekend before last and it was nice to go out in the woods, cut and split a couple chords of fire wood. A lot of folk here have professions that tend to grow their midsections, not doing much for muscle toning and such, much less any cardio fitness. I'm fortunate my chosen occupation has me walking and climbing several miles a day, and I remain very active for someone over fifty.

You're very fortunate to have mentors like Bob and Pug; where you can glean good solid diving skills, and have safety and planning reinforced frequently. As you pointed out though, one has to "buy in" to the entire plan, and that includes being well fit, seems you're on your way, and just need a bit more encouragement to work harder at the last aspect. So, here it is, Lynne, get YOUR BUTT goin'....EXERCISE....

 

[TSandM]

Thanks, Tony -- I think you got what I was trying to say!

I wish somebody's boot in the butt over the internet were enough to get me moving . . .

 

[theskull]

. . I wish somebody's boot in the butt over the internet were enough to get me moving . . .

I truly enjoy your presence here in the SB community. So please allow me to give you a bit of encouragement to go along with that boot in the butt.

*Leave the diving out of it. It is very difficult to get motivated to make the time and take the energy to exercise if you are trying to do it to please others, even if they're your favorite dive team.

*Consider that your health is your most valuable asset. If you get hurt, or ill, everything else in your life becomes less enjoyable if not difficult or unpleasant. Being in top shape may not always prevent injuries or illnesses, but it always lessens the impact and recovery time.

*Make a commitment to daily exercise one of your highest priorities, and know that when you are exercising you are doing it for you, your family, and everyone else who loves you or depends on you. OK to miss a day or 2 now and then? Absolutely! But remain mindful of how important it is to be consistent and get back into the habit very soon.

*Find a type of exercise, or better, 2 or 3, that you will enjoy doing and are convenient to make time for.

*And here's the best part (for me, and I sincerely hope for you as well). The time you commit to daily exercise will be more than returned to you. Now! Not just in the future. The additional energy will allow you to accomplish more during the day than you would have if you had used that extra 30-45 minutes for other tasks. You will feel refreshed and relaxed and approach everything with a little better attitude. And don't be surprised if your quality of sleep also imroves giving you yet additional time each day.

Good luck with your intentions,

theskull

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Originally Posted by dumpsterDiver
Everything that I've learned about DIR has been from the internet, so my perspective may be wacked....

That about says it all, don't you think?

Oh sorry, I forgot that I did sit completely through the 3-disk DIR set from 2004? with Geo and JJ (shot in the garage). I think that I had picked up a lot of the stuff from the aquanaut list years ago and also from some excellent websites.

And I do understand that bouyancy control is important (and some semblance of trim is also), but they are things that I don't consciously think about when diving anymore.

 

[Adobo]

Originally Posted by dumpsterDiver
Oh sorry, I forgot that I did sit completely through the 3-disk DIR set from 2004? with Geo and JJ (shot in the garage). I think that I had picked up a lot of the stuff from the aquanaut list years ago and also from some excellent websites.

And I do understand that bouyancy control is important (and some semblance of trim is also), but they are things that I don't consciously think about when diving anymore.

3 disk DIR dvd set and the aquanaut list. Hmmm... sleep in a Holiday Inn for a few nights and you'll be ready to teach some DIR classes.

That's okay. I'm no expert at the subject either.

 

[lamont]

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.

if you don't want people to think that you are "DIR bashing" then don't make statements like this:

Being a Groupie to any particular dive philosophy or marketing tactic has no place in the Safe/Fun equation.

if you don't want to be classified as someone who bashes DIR stay away from loaded words like "groupie". and don't complain when you do use loaded words that people make certain assumptions...

 

[dumpsterDiver]

3 disk DIR dvd set and the aquanaut list. Hmmm... sleep in a Holiday Inn for a few nights and you'll be ready to teach some DIR classes.

Really? I thought I had to take a bunch of classes to learn how to swim backwards.

For some reason I haven't been able to learn that one on the Internet (or in the Holiday Inn pool).