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[waterpirate]

Hi all, I am new to the scubaboard and what i know about dir is only what you here, the usual cult crap. Let me assure you that this is not a troll. I would like to know how you can find out about dir without having to drink the coolade/ just kidding/. I have read the explanation in the begining of this forum and find myself with more questions not less. The explanation I read did not sound like the brushes with dir people that I have had on dive boats. Is there a beginer manual that explains the basic premise and concept? I am genuinely intrigued more than anything and my brain wants to know more. Any nudge in the right direction as to reading material and or web sites would be greatly appreciated.
Eric

 

[Derek S]

www.gue.com

 

[OE2X]

This is a good book to help answer questions: Doing It Right -Fundementals Of Better Diving.

https://secure.gue.com/catalog/order

Since you are new here - welcome to the board.

Another way to gain knowledge is to spend some time lurking here and reading the numerous posts about the DIR style of diving.

You will hear it repeated time and time again that DIR isn't just about the gear. This is a component of this style of diving, but it is not the be all, end all of DIR. Many people just get caught up in the perceived limitations - equipment and skills when they first start investigating DIR.

Try to keep in mind that this was developed in an almost backwards approach. When I say that I mean that it was done to safely satisfy the needs of the extreme conditions found in deep cave penetration. Each piece of gear and skill was thought out to achieve that result. With that in mind there is a well thought out progression for the beginner DIR diver to the most extreme DIR Diver. The skills and much of the equipment configuration that you start out with in the beginning are used throughout all stages of your advancement.

One last piece of advice:
Using terms such as "Cult", "Koolaide" and "Stroke" will not win favors amongst those that dive this style.

 

[Diver0001]

The explanation I read did not sound like the brushes with dir people that I have had on dive boats.

....which is exactly why the information you find won't convince you. I'm assuming your encounters were less than positive and I'd say that without positive encounters with DIR divers then all you will see in what you read is a disconnect between theory and practice.

I would submit to you that you shouldn't necessarily take the divers you encountered on dive-boats as good examples of DIR divers, at least not up-front. There is a big difference in attitude between divers who bought the gear and divers who bought the system. Unfortunately they both call themselves DIR. Read up about it first and *then* decide for yourself if you think those divers were DIR or not. (hint: the most enlightened DIR divers (which doesn't include me....just so you know) will probably tell you that DIR is mostly about team-work....were your examples on a team wave-length?)


R..

 

[OE2X]

will probably tell you that DIR is mostly about team-work....were your examples on a team wave-length?)
R..

Couldn't agree more. Attentive buddy skills are the most important thing to me and I'm not that enlightened.

 

[waterpirate]

Thank you all for your input. I have been to the g.u.e. site manny times and read the info and still am lacking understanding. I will get the suggested readings and get back to you all with more specific questions concerning the "whole concept".
How right you are to assume that the dive boat encounters were less than friendly, they concerned my gear configuration, and it only posed more questions. I will be the first to admit that the first delegate you run into may not be the best ambassador for a group, myself included.
The quest for knowledge begins
Eric

 

[PfcAJ]

Much of what is posted on the internet is tangable stuff like equipment and gas. The real deal with DIR is buddy awareness and teamwork.

Taking the class helps your diving even if yuo have no real ambition to be a "DIR" diver. I became more aware of myself, both strengths and weaknesses.

I highly recommend reading the books and info on the internet, then trying out the class. Its worth the time and effort to take it, even if you don't want to embrace the total DIR system.

 

[*Floater*]

Any nudge in the right direction as to reading material and or web sites would be greatly appreciated.
Eric

Check out the DIR III video on this site http://jan.dir-slovenia.com/

Here's an old lecture by George Irvine - he's one of the main DIR figures and the main guy in the DIR III video. I especially enjoyed the deco part. This lecture explains a lot about how it all came about: http://www.baue.org/library/irvine_baue_talk.html

Also check out http://www.wkpp.org/

You can also find some video clips on various sites showing the back kick, helicopter turn and other things they teach you during DIR-F.

Edit: Here's also the audio for DIR II: http://dir-diver.com/en/knowledge/dir2_audio.html

 

[cfenton]

The best introduction you can get to DIR is to register for a DIR Fundamentals course and to read "Doing It Right -Fundementals Of Better Diving." I'd be careful about getting unquailfied advice on the internet, not that there isn't good advice to be had; but a lot of bs advice too. And try and remember that it's always the vocal minority making everyone else look bad.