TSandM's thread "value of DIR" got me thinking

[tnfireman]

I would like to say thanks to all that have contributed. It seems I have a lot of reading to do, Great links ,Thanks.
Please do not let this thread turn into a flame war, I am sure there are many other new divers out there that have the same question.
I have also given the O.K. to Doc Intrepid to move this thread to the DIR section if he or any other mod feels it will keep the flames down.
Ray

 

[Jasonmh]

As I understand it ;DIR is based largely on equipment and the mastery of diving skills. Please correct me if I am wrong .
From what I have read IMO the DIRf would be a great way to go , But I have no desire to change my gear config., It works well for me and is standard for the PSD's in my area.
My question is this, Are classes available that teach the DIR philosophy without the equipment requirements?
Ray

Hi Ray,

You might want to contact this place:
http://www.rheas.mbdc.net/index.php
They are in TN. You can ask them about their options for learning about the DIR philosophy. Alot of talk on both sides in here, I would suggest that you get some information from them, and decide for yourself what you think will work best for you.
Good luck.

 

[tnfireman]

Jasonmh...Great link, Thanks I'll be checking with them soon.

Uncle Pug...I think you hit the nail on the head, how do you separate the two diving disciplines?
all4scuba05...Yes knowledge is a good thing IMO, I'm all for "book learning" but It is much more fun to learn in the water.
Ray

 

[caveseeker7]

Tobin, quote from GI3.

 

[Jasonmh]

Jasonmh...Great link, Thanks I'll be checking with them soon.

Uncle Pug...I think you hit the nail on the head, how do you separate the two diving disciplines?
all4scuba05...Yes knowledge is a good thing IMO, I'm all for "book learning" but It is much more fun to learn in the water.
Ray

Also, from what I understand, that place also teaches some PSD stuff too, so they also might be a good resource on areas where the 2 disciplines work well together and areas where they do not. I also forgot to add, the place I sent you the link to is owned by a GUE instructor, so and good place for DIR/Fundies information.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

Quick point, Jasonmh, while Rhea's dive shop was indeed started by David Rhea, it is my understanding that he sold it to, and it remains currently run by, Alan Williams. It still teaches courses with the same orientation, and is a fine shop. I visit the place each time I find myself in Oak Ridge.

 

[Jasonmh]

Quick point, Jasonmh, while Rhea's dive shop was indeed started by David Rhea, it is my understanding that he sold it to, and it remains currently run by, Alan Williams. It still teaches courses with the same orientation, and is a fine shop. I visit the place each time I find myself in Oak Ridge.

Cool, I did not know it was sold, thanks for the info.

 

[headhunter]

***MOD POST***

Since this thread has been moved into the DIR forum at the request of the original poster, I have deleted all posts with an anti-DIR slant as well as the replies to those posts. These posts would not be allowed according to the special rules of the DIR forum.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that agency "bashing" is not allowed on ScubaBoard regardless of which agency we're discussing.

That said, disagreement over how things are done in various agencies is allowed in the general forums if it does not cross over into bashing.

Thank you all for your understanding.

***MOD POST***

 

[pescador775]

I was going to post on this thread for the first time but after reading the nonsense from Headhunter I almost decided against it. Nice move, to the DIR board. Might as well be the Scientology board.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Uncle Pug...I think you hit the nail on the head, how do you separate the two diving disciplines?

PSD, technical/recreational diving and commercial diving have different objectives. To safely and efficiently meet those very different objectives requires different approaches in training, equipment and execution.

For example (and these are only very generalized and simplistic examples):

1. A GUE trained tech diver exploring a wreck or cave diving with others, each individual carrying all gases needed for successful completion of the dive and care taken to minimize any silting.

2. A PSD searching for a body or evidence in murky water down alone using a single tank (or possibly surface supplied) tethered by a safety line/comm line to a tender who is directing his/her movements from the shore, a dock or a boat. The PSD might be doing leg and arm sweeps further reducing visibility. A safety diver would be standing by ready to enter the water.

3. A commercial harvest diver tethered by an umbilical consisting of surface supplied air line, safety line and comm line to an anchored boat. Harvesting geoduck he would also be dragging a 1 1/2" fire hose and using a water jet to dig the clams out of the bottom. As the bag he is dragging fills he would return to the up line and trade the full bag for an empty bag. The surface tender who is monitoring the comm unit, the compressor and the water pump would haul the product up.

As you can imagine from the above, handling an emergency or problem would need to be taken care of differently... and that is why the training is different, the equipment is different and the execution is different.