TSandM:
I didn't think I was pushing DIR. I was just pondering whether the system had more value to recreational or technical divers. I started out requesting answers from people who felt the system had some value to somebody.
I have no idea if people who are more or less DIR are rare. They aren't where I dive.
DIR divers are rare. I never saw a BP/W setup until I was in FL, and a guy was diving doubles. He was not DIR rather a PADI DM. I have been diving with a DIR crowd of late at the Blue Hole in NM, so once you find one, you often find a gaggle!
The DIR system has no value to the majority of recreational divers as they don't even know what it is. This is not to say that I feel that a DIR configuration and some of the philosophy has no value.
I personally like a BP/W setup for one reason, and that is because if one is diving dry, it offers a much improved way to distribute a lot of weight. This results in better trim.
I like the long hose because IF one does have to share air, it is a much more comfortable setup. However I think for a lot of recreational divers, they are not that great with air in the first place, may tangle the hose, or drag it, and it would be pointless if not a negative.
I'm a rec diver, so there are two things I like about the DIR configuration. I also like having a small simple SPG, and have discovered that the backup reg necklace is a very nice way to secure the backup.
I basically just setup my BP/W using a DIR configuration, so obviously I do find value in that configuration. However I'm not DIR, I continue to dive with BioFins :11:, and I use my computer to monitor NDL.
I think that most recreational divers are not interested in webbing BP's, wearing weight belts, having a BC that has no adjustments, and in a weight release system that is actually LESS Safe IMO than what I have on my Zeagle Stiletto.
Last Spring in the death of two divers off of Boynton Beach, one diver attempted to dump the weightbelt of the diver in distress. It unfortunately tangled, and likely contributed in their deaths. While those divers made a number of mistakes, a system like the rip cord would have been superior to a weight belt, and may have saved their lives.
It's an interesting discussion, however maybe a pointless one as a lot of people including Dive professionals are not even aware of DIR. Also the idea that there is ONE right way of doing most anything is offensive to many, and has fanatical undertones.
I may take DIR-F because I think there are some things to be learned. I would dive my BP/W setup and keep my head down, and my mouth shut!
But my goal would NOT be to become pure DIR, but to learn what I could. It's also a good reason to train, and gives me something to do when I dive the Hole for the XXX time!
