The "other" end of the DIR question

[geodaro]

IMHO......I have been actively diving for 20 years (almost exactly) and I can say that I have tried just about every combination of gear available over that time period. My diving has been strictly limited to recreational (spearfishing and some easy wrecks) at or above 125 feet. I now dive with a Halcyon wing configuration and a single tank setup very similar to DIR divers that I have met. I would say that the best possible setup for your gear is what you are comfortable with under water! Period! Don't let anybody tell you that it's either this way or that way, etc. It's all personal preference. I guess I'm pseudo DIR with the wing setup and regulator around my neck, however, I don't subscribe to all of the principles and practices of DIR.

Don't get caught up thinking too much or you will not enjoy diving. Purchase quality equipment that you are comfortable with and you will enjoy years and years of trouble free diving fun!

There is nothing more sad or pathetic to watch than somebody that is SOOOO wrapped up in their gear and it's configuration that they don't even remember what they saw on the bottom during the dive. Their whole dive time is spent fidgeting with equipment and worrying what other divers think of their "DIR skills"! Relax and enjoy yourself......

How much time do you spend worrying about the confiuration of the engine and brakes in your car before you drive to work in the morning (much more dangerous than diving by the way)! Probably not much!

Just my .02.

 

[MSilvia]

For example all deco tanks on the left. Why acording to GUE, (from my limited experience), so you are balanced with your can light on the right and your hose routing is clean, and scootering is easier. With Can lights getting smaller and smaller this argument is now bull. Surely if i know my O2 is on the right, and if i were to have total backgas failure and be in a low vis situation, then i would have a better chance of not breathing 100% O2 at depth if the tanks are not slung together.

By the way positive criticism is accpetable

Just to provide another scenario, suppose you were ascending from a dive, had clipped off your long hose to the right chest D-ring, and were breathing off the EAN mix on your left side when there was a critical gas failure. You now have your back gas reg right next to a reg that might deliver a ppO2 that greatly exceeds safe limits. Which of the regs on the right is the one that won't cause you to convulse?

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

Which of the regs on the right is the one that won't cause you to convulse?

Yep you've got him there,....unless it's possible to standardize a two sided sling configuration to address that risk. Hmmmmmm....

It seems the same risk in either scenario. How do you solve that impasse? Darwin's Lottery.

 

[WaterDawg]

If you donate the reg in use (in you mouth) does that matter?

 

[MSilvia]

If you donate the reg in use (in you mouth) does that matter?

Does it matter under what circumstances?

 

[jonnythan]

I was under the impression that you always donate what's in your mouth, period.

 

[lamont]

IMHO......I have been actively diving for 20 years (almost exactly) and I can say that I have tried just about every combination of gear available over that time period. My diving has been strictly limited to recreational (spearfishing and some easy wrecks) at or above 125 feet. I now dive with a Halcyon wing configuration and a single tank setup very similar to DIR divers that I have met. I would say that the best possible setup for your gear is what you are comfortable with under water! Period! Don't let anybody tell you that it's either this way or that way, etc. It's all personal preference. I guess I'm pseudo DIR with the wing setup and regulator around my neck, however, I don't subscribe to all of the principles and practices of DIR.

Don't get caught up thinking too much or you will not enjoy diving. Purchase quality equipment that you are comfortable with and you will enjoy years and years of trouble free diving fun!

There is nothing more sad or pathetic to watch than somebody that is SOOOO wrapped up in their gear and it's configuration that they don't even remember what they saw on the bottom during the dive. Their whole dive time is spent fidgeting with equipment and worrying what other divers think of their "DIR skills"! Relax and enjoy yourself......

How much time do you spend worrying about the confiuration of the engine and brakes in your car before you drive to work in the morning (much more dangerous than diving by the way)! Probably not much!

Just my .02.

Everything DIR that I've been exposed to has been leading to much more relaxing and enjoying diving. The last dive I did was really nice because it was all starting to really come together. I didn't have to think about buoyancy, my gear was all sorted out and I didn't have to think about it, and because of a lot of improvements in my situational awareness I knew things like my deco situation and what my SAC rate was and how long I could expect my tank to last. All of that was out of the way and all that was left was swimming around and checking out the fish...

All of the tech I and above GUE graduates that I've talked to have made basically the same comment that DIR makes diving much easier and more enjoyable for them.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

All of the tech I and above GUE graduates that I've talked to have made basically the same comment that DIR makes diving much easier and more enjoyable for them.

A pity you missed our dive the other night, or you'd have seen a good example of that.

Those tech guys were so relaxed and aware they might as well have been walking in a park enjoying a pleasant conversation ... in fact, based on the light and hand signals I saw passing back and forth, they were enjoying a pleasant conversation.

It's as much about awareness and comfort as about skills and gear configuration ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[lamont]

A pity you missed our dive the other night, or you'd have seen a good example of that.

Those tech guys were so relaxed and aware they might as well have been walking in a park enjoying a pleasant conversation ... in fact, based on the light and hand signals I saw passing back and forth, they were enjoying a pleasant conversation.

It's as much about awareness and comfort as about skills and gear configuration ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Yeah, but based on the entire day I'd been having I'm telling ya I would have gotten bit by a shark. It started long before I ever showed up for diving -- I was actually considering bagging it before I ever got out and started fiddling with gear at all. And I'm sure that sharks can smell when you're having a bad day like that, and I'm sure they're just agents of that kind of karma...

 

[BlueDevil]

On another board a discussion was had about billy rings and several divers despite very good reasons for using them, all stopped under pressure from instructors as it was not "DIR".

I have not heard the term "billy rings"...could someone tell me what they are or point me in the direction of a website with a photo etc.

Thanks, BD

PS I don't dive DIR for the simple reason that it would be too restrictive in relation to the gear setup I prefer to use and the type of diving I do.