Sidemount Cave diving by DIR???

[akioMtFuji]

I can use a backmount in the only big spring and wide cenote.
I like an uneventful cave diving. Only as for an uneventful cave diving is boring.
I have dived solo diving at narrow tunnel, sump after dry cave without support diver.
And, it seems that a backmount diver's walking is miserable.

So, I am trying a sidemount with a Halcyon product for two years.
I changed various configurations, and tried side mount cave diving.
But, I don't have found the best configuration yet.

I heard that DIR had a sidemount configuration.
I was surprised because I thought DIR for ocean diver and resort cave diver.
Please introduce DIR sidemount configuration.:god:

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Akio,

I'm unaware of any DIR sidemount configuration. (That doesn't mean that one doesn't exist, just that I've never heard of it.)

Some of the other divers here may come along shortly with a different answer.

Meanwhile, I suggest you head over to www.thedecostop.com and ask around for Curt Bowen. He's the editor of Advanced Diver Magazine (ADM). Easiest way to find him is to use the search function for threads involving "sidemount rigs". He generally responds to PMs or emails, and will be happy to show you what he's developed for sidemount rigs. He has rappeled down cliffs in his, and hiked many miles into dry sumps - I suspect he'll be qualified to answer your questions.

Regards,

Doc


P.S. Akio - If George Irvine heard you refer to DIR as developed for "ocean diver and resort cave diver" the man would have a heart attack. George wrote an article in a magazine in the mid 1990s when he was the director of the WKPP. He coined the phrase in this article. His efforts were nearly exclusively aimed at extreme cave exploration at ludicrous penetration limits and depths. Things change over the years, but DIR started off as a methodology and protocols for finding the safest way of conducting extremely demanding and dangerous cave diving activities with a large, well-coordinated group of divers. It remains an excellent example of that exact purpose. You will be criticized by other divers for referring to DIR as aimed at 'resort cave divers'... Don't do that!
More information on WKPP here:
http://www.gue.com/Projects/WKPP/index.html

Dive safe.

 

[jagfish]

Hi Akio
Yeah, I also thought the manifold was essential to the DIR doubles approach. As Doc says, Kurt definitely is an authority on the sidemount system. I think he's designed his own rig, the armadillo...

 

[mania]

well
here is the article by GI
http://www.innerrealm.co.nz/dir_details.asp?pk=45

GI doesn't say it's impossible. BTW in European cave diving sidemount is often the only solution as the cave systems in France or in Poland are completly different and combine dry caves and "wet" ones. So they require different aproach which is not really known by Florida cave divers
Here is an interesting post about the different cave diving
http://www.direxplorers.com/dir-cav...ng-slightly-different-approach.html#post16392

Mania

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Thank you, Mania, for those links. I hadn't seen that one by George yet.

Its refreshing to see that there are still George-isms out there like undiscovered gold nuggets waiting to be found. Classical Irvine rantage!

BTW, happy holidays over there to you and yours!

Doc

 

[fishb0y]

well
here is the article by GI
http://www.innerrealm.co.nz/dir_details.asp?pk=45

GI doesn't say it's impossible. BTW in European cave diving sidemount is often the only solution as the cave systems in France or in Poland are completly different and combine dry caves and "wet" ones. So they require different aproach which is not really known by Florida cave divers
Here is an interesting post about the different cave diving
http://www.direxplorers.com/dir-cav...ng-slightly-different-approach.html#post16392

Mania

I still wonder to this day how DIR has caught on with the way GI handles himself... not too diplomatic is he?

 

[akioMtFuji]

Is it GI?
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/64508/cat/500/ppuser/36223

 

[SparticleBrane]

I don't see why everyone get their pannies in a bunch about him. He and his rants are old news...time to get over it.

 

[nadwidny]

I still wonder to this day how DIR has caught on with the way GI handles himself... not too diplomatic is he?

Well for myself, I went DIR so that I can prove to George and his fans that DIR doesn't work outside of Florida caves; then I'm going to switch back to Personal Preference, tell George he's full of crap, and things will continue happily on. I still have my DiveRite Transpac, waiting for that day.

Funny how much dust something collects after 7 and a half years.

 

[nadwidny]

Is it GI?
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/64508/cat/500/ppuser/36223

Photo is kinda dark but it looks like him.