caveseeker7 once bubbled...
Both. If I had a buck for everytime some guy with a shiny shingle and jet fins got in my face for not using the same I'd be diving an RB80 (with Force Fins 
)
You're kidding... Really? I haven't found any DIR guys "in" anyone's face... Not in person, anyway, and the online versions of them are often questionable... For instance, they spout all sorts of incorrect assumptions about DIR that you just KNOW they didn't get in any GUE class.
At any rate, if anyone's been "in your face," then allow me to apologize for them. I can't be held responsible for their actions, and I know this... Like I said recently to someone regarding DIR, "I am not GUE, nor do I play one on T.V." Furthermore, I believe it was Uncle Pug who coined the phrase, "You might not be the best example of DIR." That goes for any individual in the DIR group, no matter who you are... Myself included.
Nonetheless, I know that when I'm on a boat with non-DIR divers (sidenote: I know some DIR divers who will not dive with other divers who are not DIR... I don't "draw the line" there, but at "unsafe divers." I might dive with people who are not DIR, but I don't dive with people who have unsafe attitudes... Which transcend DIR and PADI, NAUI, YMCA, and all the rest) I stand as an example of DIR to them. They've heard the rumors... All sorts of wacky stuff; most of it borne of truth but bastardized along the way into something rediculous. All I can do is do my best to represent the organization and try to do what I can to impress with a positive image. It's not easy, but it's for their own good... What sort of disservice would I be doing them if I turned them off to DIR altogether just because of my personal misgivings?
At any rate... Please allow me to apologize for those that poorly represented the group of divers that I respect and emulate. Please don't shoot the message because the messenger was a jerk.
Problem is what works for me might not work for you. So I don't like to make decisions for what works for you, nor do I want someone else to make them for me. That's where I usually clash with the DIR way of life.
That makes sense, and I feel exactly the same way.
...Which is why it was such an epiphany for me to find that when I was presented with the skill set taught in DIR-F, and tried some of their recommendations, I found that exactly what they'd been preaching all along was exactly what worked best for me.
...And here's the scary part: What worked best for me was radically different than what I'd been doing.
Here's the "even scarier" part: What I'd been doing was exactly what I'd been taught. Think about that for a moment and allow the implication of the shortcomings in today's mainstream scuba courses to float to the surface.
But since we're all individuals, you'll have to find out for yourself what works best for you. Just be sure to try the DIR way, along with other ways as well (you're obviously very educated about diving, so I'm assuming that you're fairly well-learned in non-GUE courses)... And be honest with yourself in what "the best way" really is. If history repeats itself, you'll find yourself looking more and more "DIR" every time you dive - just like the rest of us did.
Ever read Lee's 'Tao of Jeet Kune Do'? Or his widow's easier to understand biography? With your philosophy you'll love either one. Learn everything you can, throw away what doesn't work for you. Wise man.
Nope, I'll have to check that out. Sounds intriguing.
The correct term is "Fallen Angel"
Lol!!!
(DIR-F is) on my to-do list, though not as high as it probably shoud be.
It's not a cheap class, in terms of time or money... And it certainly will challenge the very core of your own diving philosophy. Best of all, you'll have the undivided attention of GUE instructors who are prepared to handle your every question. I highly recommend it.
