Near-DIR diving: Are there DIR things you would probably never do?

[CompuDude]

Ok, I'm with y'all on the majority of these points, but just for my education:

1) What is the reason why a small wrist slate is banned? I carry wetnotes, of course... and frankly, my wrist slate hasn't seen the outside of my gear bag in well over a year... but I see the value of a small wrist slate for some purposes, and see it as a superior solution to a need in some instances (not a Triple Crown dive, perhaps, but what harm during training?), so what's the problem with it? Is it really a "problem" because a tiny wrist slate is an entanglement hazard... and it's not "needed" so it MUST be left behind?

2) If that last part is the applicable standard... I guess cameras are verboten for DIR dives?

 

[rhlee]

2) If that last part is the applicable standard... I guess cameras are verboten for DIR dives?

What is "needed" is a function of the goals of the dive being planned. If the dive is planned around swimming around a reef and taking pictures, then a camera would certainly come in handy. If the dive is planned around going out and repairing a section of line with no intent to photograph the process, then lugging a camera around is pretty silly. When I am bringing a camera on a dive, it is discussed in the dive briefing.

Most of what you might find as "edicts" on the internet can actually be reasoned out from basic principles...

 

[CompuDude]

What is "needed" is a function of the goals of the dive being planned. If the dive is planned around swimming around a reef and taking pictures, then a camera would certainly come in handy. If the dive is planned around going out and repairing a section of line with no intent to photograph the process, then lugging a camera around is pretty silly. When I am bringing a camera on a dive, it is discussed in the dive briefing.

Most of what you might find as "edicts" on the internet can actually be reasoned out from basic principles...

So... if the plan of the dive is to stay shallow and get some good practice in on averaging depths, like the OP mentioned, by this reasoning why is it a problem to have a small wrist slate?

Believe me, I'm really trying to understand the reasoning here, I’m not arguing against it for fighting against it because I have any vested interest in using one.

 

[KMD]

Ok, I'm with y'all on the majority of these points, but just for my education:

1) What is the reason why a small wrist slate is banned? I carry wetnotes, of course... and frankly, my wrist slate hasn't seen the outside of my gear bag in well over a year... but I see the value of a small wrist slate for some purposes, and see it as a superior solution to a need in some instances (not a Triple Crown dive, perhaps, but what harm during training?), so what's the problem with it? Is it really a "problem" because a tiny wrist slate is an entanglement hazard... and it's not "needed" so it MUST be left behind?

2) If that last part is the applicable standard... I guess cameras are verboten for DIR dives?

Some of the ideas explained to me on why wetnotes are to be preferred.

1) Multiple items can be written down in them and yet still leave space for further notes. For example, I have navigation aids for dive sites, tank factor conversions, emergency contact & DAN information, equipment serial numbers.
2) Wet notes dont have an "orientation" to users reading them. One can write on them from any angle. The reader will turn them to make the writing ledgible. When writing on a arm slate the reader has to almost be right next to you to easily read the slate. This can cause dificulties when on the line in cramped quarters.
3) Wet notes don't break becuase the pencil was lost. Divers can place multiple pencils in the notes.
4) They contain convienent pockets to store other items such as small tools, survey compasses, deco tables
5) A diver can leave a note on the line yet still keep his wetnotes with him.
6) They are a more perminant record of the dive notes. For example if one were surveying and later felt that one transcribed a digit, the original notes can still be consulted
7) They can hold more information. Pages and pages of it.
8) A slate can be accidentally brushed against something and the writing be erased or distorted. Was that a 2 or an 8 on your deco schedule
9) its easier to self illuminate wetnotes when writing in them. One can clip a light to one's d-dring then write on the notes below it.

 

[nereas]

Some of the ideas explained to me on why wetnotes are to be preferred.

1) Multiple items can be written down in them and yet still leave space for further notes. For example, I have navigation aids for dive sites, tank factor conversions, emergency contact & DAN information, equipment serial numbers.
2) Wet notes dont have an "orientation" to users reading them. One can write on them from any angle. The reader will turn them to make the writing ledgible. When writing on a arm slate the reader has to almost be right next to you to easily read the slate. This can cause dificulties when on the line in cramped quarters.
3) Wet notes don't break becuase the pencil was lost. Divers can place multiple pencils in the notes.
4) They contain convienent pockets to store other items such as small tools, survey compasses, deco tables
5) A diver can leave a note on the line yet still keep his wetnotes with him.
6) They are a more perminant record of the dive notes. For example if one were surveying and later felt that one transcribed a digit, the original notes can still be consulted
7) They can hold more information. Pages and pages of it.
8) A slate can be accidentally brushed against something and the writing be erased or distorted. Was that a 2 or an 8 on your deco schedule
9) its easier to self illuminate wetnotes when writing in them. One can clip a light to one's d-dring then write on the notes below it.

If chatting is critical on any given dive, ever, just wear an FFM with voice features. With an FFM, you still have a long hose reg and short hose reg available as usual, the long hose is just clipped off. If the FFM fails, you can simply switch over to your backup mask and your clipped-off primary hose.

Hand signals otherwise should work fine in lieu of an FFM.

 

[nereas]

So... if the plan of the dive is to stay shallow and get some good practice in on averaging depths, like the OP mentioned, by this reasoning why is it a problem to have a small wrist slate?

Believe me, I'm really trying to understand the reasoning here, I’m not arguing against it for fighting against it because I have any vested interest in using one.

SUUNTOs, even in gauge mode, average depth for you nicely and very accurately.

 

[rjack321]

Barry, it looks like you posted your question in the wrong forum, and some folks here are getting nervous about that.

No just take your non-DIR answers elsewhere. They don't belong here.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

To add to Rainer's response, that looks like a poorly designed strap that relies solely on the shock cord to hold it together. If that is the case, it isn't much of an improvement over rubber staps. But, I can't tell for sure from the picture. The ones I have attach the spring directly to the metal attachment point to the fin and the shock cord. Who makes those Bob?

Those are Manta springs. The metal coil broke where it attaches to the delrin rod. The spring straps were less than a year old.

There is no shock cord ... that's a piece of cave line that runs through the inside of the spring ... supposedly to help prevent overstretching.

AFAIK - Manta was purchased a couple years back by a different company. My guess is that they decided to cheap out on the metal they use for their springs. The pair on my other fins lasted less than a year as well.

I've since switched to a different brand.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[nereas]

What is "needed" is a function of the goals of the dive being planned. If the dive is planned around swimming around a reef and taking pictures, then a camera would certainly come in handy. If the dive is planned around going out and repairing a section of line with no intent to photograph the process, then lugging a camera around is pretty silly. When I am bringing a camera on a dive, it is discussed in the dive briefing.

Most of what you might find as "edicts" on the internet can actually be reasoned out from basic principles...

The very best things would be to get a camera mount for your DPV. Then your hands would still be free.

 

[nereas]

No just take your non-DIR answers elsewhere. They don't belong here.

Ahh the natives, Barry, the natives! See what you have caused?