bwahhha hahah ahhah ahahahh ahhah ..
sorry..
Question for the partial-DIR crowd
- Thread starter xoomboy
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
sorry..
large_diver
Contributor
FWIW....Andrew G. has size 14 feet and wears jet fins......
My main non-DIRism is that I dive with a non-DIR buddy....at least non-DIR in terms of the gear, but he is a reliable and safe buddy. Given the diving that I do (rec) -- this works for me.
My main non-DIRism is that I dive with a non-DIR buddy....at least non-DIR in terms of the gear, but he is a reliable and safe buddy. Given the diving that I do (rec) -- this works for me.
Spectre
Contributor
Some things I'm not willing to give up at this point.
Computer....
Bail out bottle...
non DIR buddies...
Some things I don't feel important enough to pay the $$ to change:
wrist mount compass [my console is just fine for now]
pull dump on my wings. [I just don't use it]
There is more, I'm just not thinking of it at the moment...
what makes me not DIR..a lot of things....but i do use what works best out of the whole package.
How my gear is ot DIR
1 - Double bladder - redundence
2 - Bungied wings - streamline, no air shifting
3 - Deco tanks mounted on both sides - balance and trim
4 - Fins - I would like spring straps on my Blades, my feet are allready negative, don't need to add more weight there
5 - Harness - i like a chest strap, and I mount my knife on that strap
6 - Computers - two VR3's Einstien said you should never memorize what you can just look up. my mind is busy with all the other aspects of diving, like having fun.
Diving phylosophy
1 - I don't use standard gas mixes [other than deco and travel gas] - I use a best mix theory
2 - I use 80% for most of my deco dives - safer for deco
3 - a horizontal ascent is not a requirement - freedom of motion adds to the pleasure
4 - constant budy contact is not required - I am completly self sufeciant, yet enjoy the company of a buddy
How my attitude is not DIR
1 - I won't call you names based on your gear selection
2 - I dive with my friends even if not DIR
3 - I am not co-dependednt on my buddy
4 - I don't care if you are DIR or not.
5 - I gather information from many different sources [not just one indavidual] and apply what works the best for my style of diving
These are just the resasons i am not DIR, there is nothing wrong with DIR, as long as you can avoid aquiring the attitude of some DIR divers. I am just saying what makes me none DIR and why. I am sure there are more, i just can't think of them right now
How my gear is ot DIR
1 - Double bladder - redundence
2 - Bungied wings - streamline, no air shifting
3 - Deco tanks mounted on both sides - balance and trim
4 - Fins - I would like spring straps on my Blades, my feet are allready negative, don't need to add more weight there
5 - Harness - i like a chest strap, and I mount my knife on that strap
6 - Computers - two VR3's Einstien said you should never memorize what you can just look up. my mind is busy with all the other aspects of diving, like having fun.
Diving phylosophy
1 - I don't use standard gas mixes [other than deco and travel gas] - I use a best mix theory
2 - I use 80% for most of my deco dives - safer for deco
3 - a horizontal ascent is not a requirement - freedom of motion adds to the pleasure
4 - constant budy contact is not required - I am completly self sufeciant, yet enjoy the company of a buddy
How my attitude is not DIR
1 - I won't call you names based on your gear selection
2 - I dive with my friends even if not DIR
3 - I am not co-dependednt on my buddy
4 - I don't care if you are DIR or not.
5 - I gather information from many different sources [not just one indavidual] and apply what works the best for my style of diving
These are just the resasons i am not DIR, there is nothing wrong with DIR, as long as you can avoid aquiring the attitude of some DIR divers. I am just saying what makes me none DIR and why. I am sure there are more, i just can't think of them right now
Manta somebody (Industries?) has springs for the Blades. Almost got some, but got great deal on Turtles instead. Price from Manta seemed resonable.
Phil
thanks for the info
Scubaroo
Contributor
The spring strap kits I made up for non-JetFin type fins are about 10 oz a pair, I don't think they'll add much weight. Commercial ones might be heavier though.
- Messages
- 3,464
- Reaction score
- 27
My last remaining vestiges of un-DIR diving:
1- I sometimes use a computer (not generally on big dives, if I wear it, its a back-up but on shallow nitrox dives, yes)
2- I still dive steel tanks wet (although I got a new drysuit which should remove most of my drysuit objections)
3- I'm still comfortable alone underwater. I prefer a buddy but only if its a good buddy.
Do I consider myself a DIR diver? Yes. Do I "buy the package"? As described by G3, yes.
Tom
1- I sometimes use a computer (not generally on big dives, if I wear it, its a back-up but on shallow nitrox dives, yes)
2- I still dive steel tanks wet (although I got a new drysuit which should remove most of my drysuit objections)
3- I'm still comfortable alone underwater. I prefer a buddy but only if its a good buddy.
Do I consider myself a DIR diver? Yes. Do I "buy the package"? As described by G3, yes.
Tom
much of my kit would be "DIR approved". The notable exceptions would be
1) No extra mask (yet), still working on pockets.
2) Knife (folding gerber with clip in pocket), rock solid and the clip attaches to my wrist retainers.
3) Wrist retainers. Surgical tubing which is spliced to fit each wrist without ANY constriction. Anything with a clip (lights, reels, knives) gets attached while I am holding it. Almost impossible to lose stuff this way.
4) My use of OMS wings and/or IQ system. I love my IQ, but have worn that puppy out. I now dive a FredT BP unless I am using a single tank... then I use a ChuteII BC. My 55# OMS sees the most action (newer), but I have no problems with my bungeed 100# dual bladder work horse. If I have to dive singles with my BP or IQ, then I employ my infamous spreader plate.
5) While I do own (and use) Jets, they bind my feet and I enjoy my Twin Jets more! I am perfecting a scull kick that works great with the split fins.
6) Air integrated computer, namely the Cobra. I am not afraid of technology "rotting" my brain. The internet did that years ago.
7) I dive steels (doubles or singles) with a wet suit only. Maybe when I can afford a dry suit this will change... but not yet!
There is probably a lot MORE of my kit and attitude that is not DIR approved. Thats OK by me as I do not try to emulate (or worship) them. These I know from "discussions" here on Scubaboard. I dive what is right for me and am open to changes in my attitude and kit that make sense... In that respect I love KIR diving... Keep It Real! When asked about my kit, I inform people that I dive a modified Hogarthian rig. There is a lot that the DIR divers do right... but they haven't cornered the market on truth and logic. There are a lot more divers actually doing it right than those that merely bear the DIR name.
1) No extra mask (yet), still working on pockets.
2) Knife (folding gerber with clip in pocket), rock solid and the clip attaches to my wrist retainers.
3) Wrist retainers. Surgical tubing which is spliced to fit each wrist without ANY constriction. Anything with a clip (lights, reels, knives) gets attached while I am holding it. Almost impossible to lose stuff this way.
4) My use of OMS wings and/or IQ system. I love my IQ, but have worn that puppy out. I now dive a FredT BP unless I am using a single tank... then I use a ChuteII BC. My 55# OMS sees the most action (newer), but I have no problems with my bungeed 100# dual bladder work horse. If I have to dive singles with my BP or IQ, then I employ my infamous spreader plate.
5) While I do own (and use) Jets, they bind my feet and I enjoy my Twin Jets more! I am perfecting a scull kick that works great with the split fins.
6) Air integrated computer, namely the Cobra. I am not afraid of technology "rotting" my brain. The internet did that years ago.
7) I dive steels (doubles or singles) with a wet suit only. Maybe when I can afford a dry suit this will change... but not yet!
There is probably a lot MORE of my kit and attitude that is not DIR approved. Thats OK by me as I do not try to emulate (or worship) them. These I know from "discussions" here on Scubaboard. I dive what is right for me and am open to changes in my attitude and kit that make sense... In that respect I love KIR diving... Keep It Real! When asked about my kit, I inform people that I dive a modified Hogarthian rig. There is a lot that the DIR divers do right... but they haven't cornered the market on truth and logic. There are a lot more divers actually doing it right than those that merely bear the DIR name.
I've taken DIR-F, and dive a Hogarthian rig. I dive 100% recreational at this point, with no deco stops or stage bottles. If/when I go more technical, I suspect that I would end up more DIR-like, but for now what I have works.
Where I'm not 100% DIR is:
1) I dive with non-DIR folks, who are pretty scarey in their buddy/safety skills. Thank goodness we stay fairly shallow, but I wouldn't want to dive with these folks on deeper dives.
2) I rot my brain with a computer on every dive. I need to be more aware of my dive environment, but for now I'm working on better buoyancy and buddy skills, so for now, the computer makes me a safer diver by letting my feeble mind focus on those parts of the dive.
3) I'm not in great shape. DIR means a committment to working out 3-5 days/week, and I'm nowhere near there.
4) I Halcyon ACB+ weight pockets. I've tried weight belts, and to be honest, I *really* like my ACB pockets. Others hate it, but I find it works well for me.
5) Dive flag. Unfortunately, carrying a dive flag is mandatory where I dive, as we have boats constantly whizzing around, and I'm shore diving. While this isn't a DIR/non-DIR issue, some people seem to think that in order to be DIR, you have to dive without a flag.
6) Ability to reach my valves. When I dove wet I could do my valves, but ever since I moved to a drysuit, I'm no longer able to access my valves. I've tried and I've tried, but my drysuit binds up as soon as I get 5' underwater, and I'm unable to reach my valves. For now, it's pretty much a non-issue since I dive in fairly shallow water, but if I started doing technical diving, this would become an issue.
7) What I have taken from DIR:
1) Buddy skills. No way would I dive solo intentionally, although many of my 'buddies' essentially make me a solo diver, since they pay no attention. However, I'm working on that aspect.
2) Preparation. Lately, I've been challenging my buddies to be more aware, but allowing me to do 'snap' OAA drills on them. So far it's been more humerous than anything else, but I've got the local PADI instructor concerned about both his own skills, as well as the skill level of his students, so we're making progress.
3) BP/Wings + bungie/long hose. Basically, my rig is configured DIR/Hogarthian style. To be honest, I'm convinced that this style is the wave of the future, while still being the style of the past. It simply works, and is much easier to dive with.
4) Some of the better attitudes. Prior to taking DIR-F, I was much lazier about my trim/buoyancy and buddy skills. After taking the course with my wife, I now try to work on my skills at least once/week (either in the pool or in open water). I realized that to be a better diver meant I had to commit to working on skills. Besides, its still fun, and gives me something more to do other than looking at rocks/mud. ;-)
Hope this helps!
Nate
Where I'm not 100% DIR is:
1) I dive with non-DIR folks, who are pretty scarey in their buddy/safety skills. Thank goodness we stay fairly shallow, but I wouldn't want to dive with these folks on deeper dives.
2) I rot my brain with a computer on every dive. I need to be more aware of my dive environment, but for now I'm working on better buoyancy and buddy skills, so for now, the computer makes me a safer diver by letting my feeble mind focus on those parts of the dive.
3) I'm not in great shape. DIR means a committment to working out 3-5 days/week, and I'm nowhere near there.
4) I Halcyon ACB+ weight pockets. I've tried weight belts, and to be honest, I *really* like my ACB pockets. Others hate it, but I find it works well for me.
5) Dive flag. Unfortunately, carrying a dive flag is mandatory where I dive, as we have boats constantly whizzing around, and I'm shore diving. While this isn't a DIR/non-DIR issue, some people seem to think that in order to be DIR, you have to dive without a flag.
6) Ability to reach my valves. When I dove wet I could do my valves, but ever since I moved to a drysuit, I'm no longer able to access my valves. I've tried and I've tried, but my drysuit binds up as soon as I get 5' underwater, and I'm unable to reach my valves. For now, it's pretty much a non-issue since I dive in fairly shallow water, but if I started doing technical diving, this would become an issue.
7) What I have taken from DIR:
1) Buddy skills. No way would I dive solo intentionally, although many of my 'buddies' essentially make me a solo diver, since they pay no attention. However, I'm working on that aspect.
2) Preparation. Lately, I've been challenging my buddies to be more aware, but allowing me to do 'snap' OAA drills on them. So far it's been more humerous than anything else, but I've got the local PADI instructor concerned about both his own skills, as well as the skill level of his students, so we're making progress.
3) BP/Wings + bungie/long hose. Basically, my rig is configured DIR/Hogarthian style. To be honest, I'm convinced that this style is the wave of the future, while still being the style of the past. It simply works, and is much easier to dive with.
4) Some of the better attitudes. Prior to taking DIR-F, I was much lazier about my trim/buoyancy and buddy skills. After taking the course with my wife, I now try to work on my skills at least once/week (either in the pool or in open water). I realized that to be a better diver meant I had to commit to working on skills. Besides, its still fun, and gives me something more to do other than looking at rocks/mud. ;-)
Hope this helps!
Nate
Similar threads
