the DIR moniker

[MXGratefulDiver]

Then, when I finally did hear about DIR, I thought it was an excellent system! I was really excited to learn more about it and start diving with DIR divers. I ended up meeting a DIR diver, and because of the things that I enjoyed doing that were not DIR and the fact that I couldn't afford some of the equipment and training, the diver didn't dive with me. Unfortunately, the diver was the only DIR diver in the area i knew, and the community was very close knit. It seemed rather sad to me that such a thing would happen, when I was really excited to learn more and be part of it.

I had a knee jerk reaction to this, which was to immediately dislike the DIR system, not because of its philosophy, but because of a zealous diver that mistreated me. It seems that there are a lot of stories out there that are similar based on what others have said. After leaving the area I did meet a few other DIR divers that were a whole different story, and it did excite me that the divers didn't all have the same attitude. I didn't get the chance to dive with them, but I got a lot of emails and more than a few invites.

"I won't dive with you" is a powerful message ... one that overpowers a great many messages of more significance to someone wanting to learn and improve.

It's an unfortunate side-effect of Rule #1 that is often used to the detriment of the DIR community as a whole ... not to mention to those newer divers who may be more easily discouraged than you were.

I always say to them "I am not DIR, I am STI." This always leads to them asking, "What is STI?" to which I reply "Striving to Improve."

Well put ... I think that STI is a common theme with pretty much anyone who would find this style of diving attractive.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Hepcat62]

The new plate pad's pretty slick ... much nicer than the old version. I didn't really pick up on the other changes you mentioned ... I'll take a closer look next time I drop by the shop.

I believe that most infinity units are shipped assembled with the weight pockets attached, which is why you might not have seen the pieces I mentioned. If you look, you'll notice that the pockets are actually mounted to the so-called accessory slots in the cinch plate, which keeps them in a fixed position relative to the plate while the harness is adjusted. The package includes similar pieces which can be used in lieu of the weight pockets to mount a can light and a left-hip d-ring that retain their position while the harness is adjusted.

The thing i like about the cinch is that - to me - it represents a really simple approach to the problem they were trying to solve. It's still a one piece harness. The cinch plate is at least as reliable as an argon mounting kit, or anything else you'd bolt to the plate. Plus, underneath it all, it's the same eclipse system they've been selling for years. Good singles wing, nice plate, incrementally nicer storage pak. An unexpected benefit is that you can actually have the harness a bit more snug in the water if you want, without compromising your ability to don/doff the thing... As far as stability goes, I'll say that I've had no problems using it with doubles either.

Screw the shoulder pads though. The design is okay, and they're made well enough, but since they simply wrap the harness and fasten with velcro, they have a tendency to tangle up. Fortunately, that makes them trivial to remove and promptly forget about.

 

[kathydee]

I have a cert that says I can go to 330+ with helium. I have a card that says i can do it on CCR... I even have one card that says I can do it DIR

I like diving with safe divers... I've been called the pied piper of GUE and little blue H's, but i'm not exclusive... and the way i see it, the more people i dive with the more opportunities there are to win over the hearts and minds of the masses... and well... if you want the real truth (Lamont will back me up here) i've always been very up front about it...

i like to dive more than the average person, I like to shoot video underwater more than the average diver. I like to shoot video of stuff with lots of lights underwater, so i need more than just one or two dive buddies that can work as a team to help with off axis lighting... so i'm constantly trying to make more... I will gather them from wherever i can get them and try to raise them up into good team divers... it is a means to an end...

------------

thanks for the uh... comments... I was not offended either before or after, hell, i work in the OR, ya divers can't hold a candle to a room full of nurses.... speaking of the OR, ya, you should see me in the OR, i'm that crotchety old scrub thats been doing it so long and still takes it seriously enough that even the attending surgeon will listen from time to time... not often, but occasionally... and then says something like "is ratchet your middle name?" (just kidding, i try my best to make the OR a better place for everyone, especially the patient)

DIR with hearts!

Ok - I'm impressed !

 

[DiverLaura]

DIR with hearts!

Ok - I'm impressed !

They are cut out of solas tape, so they reflect light incredibly well...

 

[ucfdiver]

I think the bigger issue is the hazy definition of DIR and the dilution of what DIR means (e.g. I would say NAUI Tech is DIR-influenced, but not DIR, however I've got PMs from NTEC folks wanting access to the DPF who disagree with me).

NAUI C1 courses have been taught with the instructor in sidemount and student in backmount with a stuffed long hose. Until they start enforcing standards, it'd have to be evaluated on a case by case basis.

 

[netmage]

NAUI C1 courses have been taught with the instructor in sidemount and student in backmount with a stuffed long hose. Until they start enforcing standards, it'd have to be evaluated on a case by case basis.

And I'll never dive w/ another student churned out of that shop again.... bargain basement training has a bargain price tag....

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

NAUI C1 courses have been taught with the instructor in sidemount and student in backmount with a stuffed long hose. Until they start enforcing standards, it'd have to be evaluated on a case by case basis.

And I'll never dive w/ another student churned out of that shop again.... bargain basement training has a bargain price tag....

... so have either of you reported this shop to NAUI? They can only enforce standards violations if they know about them ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Scott L]

This post several months ago on the cinch system sounded interesting...

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/5119196-post50.html

I believe that most infinity units are shipped assembled with the weight pockets attached, which is why you might not have seen the pieces I mentioned. If you look, you'll notice that the pockets are actually mounted to the so-called accessory slots in the cinch plate, which keeps them in a fixed position relative to the plate while the harness is adjusted. The package includes similar pieces which can be used in lieu of the weight pockets to mount a can light and a left-hip d-ring that retain their position while the harness is adjusted.

The thing i like about the cinch is that - to me - it represents a really simple approach to the problem they were trying to solve. It's still a one piece harness. The cinch plate is at least as reliable as an argon mounting kit, or anything else you'd bolt to the plate. Plus, underneath it all, it's the same eclipse system they've been selling for years. Good singles wing, nice plate, incrementally nicer storage pak. An unexpected benefit is that you can actually have the harness a bit more snug in the water if you want, without compromising your ability to don/doff the thing... As far as stability goes, I'll say that I've had no problems using it with doubles either.

Screw the shoulder pads though. The design is okay, and they're made well enough, but since they simply wrap the harness and fasten with velcro, they have a tendency to tangle up. Fortunately, that makes them trivial to remove and promptly forget about.

 

[ucfdiver]

... so have either of you reported this shop to NAUI? They can only enforce standards violations if they know about them ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

It's a running joke around cave country, I bet you everyone on here who's local knows who we're talking about. I know that other instructors have filed complaint, but when the instructor teaches for multiple agencies, the response was "He might have been teaching a __________ course."

The fact is that NAUI allowed an instructor to become cave rated who doesn't dive the NTEC/DIR style, and expects them to change just for class. Even if they did, how proficient could they be at it when they don't practice it?

I've personally reported an instructor who was teaching intro to cave courses where the total in water time for 4 dives was less than 1 hour. The agency president told me that "we know about it, but hope word of mouth weeds these guys out".

Crap like this is why GUE is gaining popularity. It's not a coin flip what kind of quality you get. I'm afraid that other agencies are allowing profit in this tough economy to adjust decisions. There's other agencies out there who are brand new, and within a few months have dozens of courses and instructors, selling quick crossover programs with a feel-good-DIR badge thrown on it. They've invited instructors who solo dive, don't dive DIR rigs, and don't have any DIR training to do crossovers. Money is a powerful thing, so buyer beware. I think quality training can be had outside of GUE, I went that route myself. The question is, if you're new to tech diving and have very few people to ask for advice, how well can you really choose an instructor?

 

[netmage]

Because you don't know what you don't know.....