New Gear purchase - Questions

[mheaster]

I am not quite ready to drink the Purple Kool-Aid yet BUT recently I have been reading/researching an awful lot about DIR. Do-it-right title and philosophy sounds somewhat controversial and adversarial but that part aside, it is still very thought provoking.

I have a couple of the DIR Videos and I am FASCINATED by the buoyancy/trim skills demonstrated on these DVDS! Have you seen this stuff? I am currently a DM with the "P" organization and have around 190 logged dives and I am mostly fascinated in the emphasis in better buoyancy/trim! I am very envious of these demonstrated skilss on the videos!

I am quite fascinated by it all!

I am not ready yet to go out and sign up for a DIR-Fundamentals course quite yet but I am considering purchasing a BP/Wing set up.

What is DIR philosophy/stand concerning non-DIR's immulating gear configs (purchases and practicing) BEFORE attending Fundamentals TRAINING?

I am the type that even in trying something brand new, would prefer to practice in a benign, relatively safe shallow location such as pool/local quarry.
I am currently heading to High Springs, Fl at end of month and planning a stop by Extreme Esposure (Halcyon Dealer) while I am there. I am seriously contemplating the purchase of a Hose kit, SPG, BP/Wings:

(30lbs. Eclipse MC System with stainless steel backplate Single tank wing, Backplate with Secure Harness and Storage Pak, stainless steel Tank Adapter)

Am I on right track or lost my mind? What considerations should be taken into account in selecting Wing lift? I am 6'1" 223lbs 47 year old male; relatively fit (also starting to work on that!) currently wear about 16lbs of weight with my 7/5mm wetsuit and aluminum 80. I will likely continue to dive wetsuit and alum 80 for sometime yet. Maybe eventually buy another wing when I double up 80's iwhen/if more gas is required.

 

[TSandM]

I was told before I took Fundies (by SB's lamont) to get, if possible, at least 20 dives in on the new gear before the class, and I was very glad of that advice when it came time to take the class. I don't think anybody has any problem with you getting the gear and getting familiar with it.

The skills are awesome -- and my Fundies instructor had them like that, too. But there's a lot more in the philosophy than just excellent skills or a particular gear configuration. If you are intrigued, I cannot recommend taking DIR-F highly enough.

 

[snow drift]

I'm going to agree with TSANDM on this. You are about at the same place that I was when I changed to the B/P wing and took DIR F. you will find all you wan't to know @ EE. I think that the B/P & wing are awsome. Good luck