I just did a search on it... Found quite a bit.
Uhhhhh... How do I put this?
Their ideas seem really terrific... There's not a diver around that wouldn't want to "simplify, streamline, and return the diver back to the center of the equation."
On the other hand, I don't see how a DIR rig is really any more simplified than a conventional rig. The biggest difference between the two seems to be where you keep and how you route your regs. Also, DIR talks a lot about using back inflate BC's, whereas conventional rigs haven't previously used back inflate BC's... Although I've known many people who use back inflate BC's on a conventional rig today.
DIR, however, seems to go heavy into making the point that DIR isn't just about your rig... It's about a complete, holistic approach to diving. They stress good health, daily exercise, and the avoidance of drugs and smoke and alcohol. All of these things are also favored by the conventionalists, and those people thinking up DIR seem to be forgetting that. It's safe to say that DIR seems to have a more emphatic focus on the subject.
I have never dived DIR... In fact, I didn't even know what it was until today. So while my opinion on the subject is a little green, I would like to communicate a newbie's first impression to those of you who are DIR.
Way back in the 1930's a man came along named "Adolf Hitler" who sold the idea of a solid work ethic, hard work, intelligent forethought, and a constant strive to improve one self and those around him to German nationalists. The idea seemed sound... The idea was to improve life as we knew it. This wasn't hard to sell to the Germans... They were ready for an econcomic revolution because of several failed monetary systems. Hitler was brutal in his strive for perfection, emphasizing "a good for all and solid teamwork" over "frivilous individualism and gagetry." As we all know, this philosophy eventually bled right down into the idea of genes... That blue eyed, blonde haired, white individuals were somehow more desired than anything else, and that other ends of the spectrum, particularly those with dark skin or of a certain nationality... Should be removed from the gene pool in order to ensure that the next generation would be more "Arian." We all know the tragedy in that thought process.
This approach of "There is but one right way, and all others should not be tolerated. Don't mess with the correct system," could be argued by a democratic society like ours here in the States that the view is a little socialistic. In an economic approach, this line of thought is known as communism. The leaders always lead "for the good of the group" or "for the safety of the team." Individual thought is chastized and discouraged.
In reading what I read today, (at
http://www.dirquest.com/about_dir.shtml ) I am alarmed to see the stunning likeness of DIR's philosophies to that of communism, socialism, or even nazism.
"Those be fightin' words!" You might say. But wait... I mean no insult to DIRites. I like much of your philosophy. Since I got certified, for example, I've begun a workout regimen of aerobic exercise, I've quit smoking, and I do quite a bit with weights. Not that I was terribly out of shape before... But from the moment I got "down there," I knew that physical prowess would improve my safety margin and enjoyment of the sport. Hence, I agree with your philosophy. Also, the first thing I did was go out and buy some cool underwater toys to dive with... And I quickly found that a better dive philosophy was to have simple, well-tested, solid equipment that you could rely on, and no more and no less. DIRites will be thrilled to know that I'm considering an Apeks ATX20 rather than an ATX40 because I have a thought process of, "why would I want a control to make my breathing LESS efficient?" However, I'm also of the ilk that computers DO improve your safety margins and accuracy over bottom timers and tables, especially since you can't "nark" a computer at depth. To me, the simpler thing IS using the computer, but also knowing in your mind what to expect... In other words, a familiararity with the dive tables that you simply KNOW when what's coming from your computer isn't right. I mean, what's simpler, tking the square root of 293 in your head, or using a calculator? If simplicity is your key, DIR, then I'm with ya... But your words are sounding remarkably like some of the political statements of the Socialists, Communists, and Nazis. I'm not saying that you ARE Socialist, Communist, or Nazi... I'm just saying that your statements sound very similar to these newbie ears.
There's no question that physical fitness, streamlining and simplifying your gear, mental focus, and a complete education and understanding are the goal here... But this kind of stuff sounds REALLY close to Nazism...
We recognize that the DIR approach to equipment configuration generates the majority of interest and debate among other divers. The most common misconception is that one part of the system can be adopted, such as the equipment configuration, and others can be ignored, such as the team-centered approach or physical fitness. DIR is a holistic system and although incorporating one part of it into another system is possible, it is not DIR. It is also likely to be fraught with complications. The same is true within the equipment configuration itself. Divers who opt to make changes to any part of the equipment configuration are likely to upset the carefully arranged components that are structured to complement one another.
(Taken from
http://www.dirquest.com/about_dir.shtml )
To me, the above says, "This is the right way to do this, and do not change the formula. There is one right way and all othe ways are wrong, and there is no room for personal interpretation. Do not question the system. There is but one right way."
Taken to an extreme, I can see how one day DIR divers could be instructed to "Never dive with non-DIR divers. They are simply wrong."
I know my words are inflammatory... And that this is suicide for the newbie. I do not mean to seem confrontational... I'm just stating my opinion... My IMPRESSION... Of my DIR first read.
There are many points of interest that I'd like to adopt into my personal dive regimen:
1. Stay in shape with daily high-level exercise and nutritional foods. Reduce or quit those activities which are detrimental to my health.
2. Educate myself so as to reduce risk and enjoy my sport.
3. Choose gear not based on the "ooohhh" factor, but based on quality, durability, and dependability. Minimize gear so as to have less mental loading so that situations are cleaner and simpler... A huge benefit when it comes to emergency situations.
4. Choose my dive buddy who practices similar philosophies.
5. Watch the experts and the experienced, and find little things that they do that help enforce #1-4.
Okay, so after reading that, one might think that I'm a DIR-ite. I'm not. In fact, I hadn't heard of it until it was mentioned on this board.
My point is that you don't have to be DIR to persue these philosophies. You don't have to turn your back on those who do things differently just because they do things differently. Remember, this is not a black and white issue... Different does not necessarily mean wrong. That was the mistake of the Nazis, and I see it as the mistake of DIRites.
In fact, my PADI instructor encouraged the exact same philosophies as above.
The major difference between DIR and the stuff my instructor taught me is the hose routing of the regs. Well, that and the fact that DIR says "This is the RIGHT way to do it, and accept none other." My instructor simply told me, "This is how to do it, but feel free to route the hoses as you see fit. There are no laws against routing hoses however you see best. We, however, have found this to be best..."
That said, I've looked at DIR now, and I think they've got some good ideas. I'm going to try some of them out. But their political agenda is dangerous, IMHO.
