What determines a diver to be DIR?

[mempilot]

Then there are those who have the training, dive the equipment, claim to be DIR, but fall short on lifestyle and skills.

I was on a tech charter for Memorial Day. 15 slots, about half DIR. Of the half that were, 4 had to weigh over 250lbs (not joking), and this was not due to their aggressive height. I doubt any of them follow a training and nutrition program, but one had the nerve to make a comment about a single piece of my equipment that was out of standard. One was completely out of his element with his stage and deco bottle during kit up.

I have read the book. I am taking the class. I follow the standards with a few exceptions at this point.

This is not a slam, because I agree with the DIR principle. But the DIR label defineatly does not make the diver. Underwater, there are good divers and bad divers. The training in your logbook has nothing to do with your skill and ability.

I look forward to completing the training, as I feel it will make me a better diver. But I'd put my skills up against at least half of those on the boat that day.

 

[jagfish]

The training in your logbook has nothing to do with your skill and ability.

Nothing? I would hope that one's training would have something to do with their skill and ability...

JAG

 

[polkster13]

Mempilot hit upon exactly where I was going with this. I have heard it over and over again that DIR is a total philosophy and is more of a "lifestyle" than just an equipment configuration. In JJ's book, they advocate that you live a healthy life style as in no smoking, eating right, exercising on a regular basis and putting in around 100 dives a year. I know plenty of divers in my area that fall well short of these criteria. This includes instructors as well. It amazes me the number of hard-core divers in my area that smoke on a regular basis, even around their students.

I am all for living a healthy lifestyle which for me includes not smoking, no consumption of alcohol (unless it is in NyQuil), exercising (for me that would be lap-swimming), eating correctly and maintaining a healthy weight.

If you claim to be a DIR diver, would you not also have to apply all of the above. If you are a smoker or drinker or overweight or only do 10 dives a year (or less), even though you have taken and passed the DIR-F course, can that person still be considered to be a DIR diver? In other words, are there other factors that are considered by a GUE instructor in deteriming if a diver "passes" or "fails" the DIR-F course besides being able to complete a specific set of diving skills?

 

[Wendy]

Then there are those who have the training, dive the equipment, claim to be DIR, but fall short on lifestyle and skills.

I was on a tech charter for Memorial Day. 15 slots, about half DIR. Of the half that were, 4 had to weigh over 250lbs (not joking), and this was not due to their aggressive height. I doubt any of them follow a training and nutrition program, but one had the nerve to make a comment about a single piece of my equipment that was out of standard. One was completely out of his element with his stage and deco bottle during kit up.

I have read the book. I am taking the class. I follow the standards with a few exceptions at this point.

This is not a slam, because I agree with the DIR principle. But the DIR label defineatly does not make the diver. Underwater, there are good divers and bad divers. The training in your logbook has nothing to do with your skill and ability.

I look forward to completing the training, as I feel it will make me a better diver. But I'd put my skills up against at least half of those on the boat that day.

How did you know that half of them were DIR divers?

 

[Wendy]

As Boogie said, it's theoretically possible, but (my words) highly unlikely that you could just "happen" to be DIR.

It's a complete system, and missing one piece means missing the whole package. Short of being trained by the WKPP, I wouldn't know how one would amass the information and skills without taking a DIR class. It certainly won't be learned on the internet.

edit to add: And taking the class is not a guarantee that you're DIR either.

You can always have a DIR mentor.

 

[mempilot]

Nothing? I would hope that one's training would have something to do with their skill and ability...

JAG

I beg to differ. One's skills at the time of certification may be enough to pass, but skills fade over time without practice, and new habits form to follow function. For instance, a PADI Rescue Diver that hasn't practiced CPR or rescue skills would not be proficient 2 years later without recurrent training.

Not all DIR divers dive on a regular basis. Those posting in this thread may dive frequently and keep their skills honed as predicated by their training, but not all have that luxery. Also, many of you have gone past the fundamentals course with Tech 1 and beyond. Your skills would be built on a much stronger foundation than those who only completed the first level of DIR training some years back.

In my profession, we are required to hone our skills every six months, lest we become complacent and rusty. Diving is no different.

 

[mempilot]

How did you know that half of them were DIR divers?

We were all standing around talking about what divers talk about before loading the boat: diving. Training and certification came up. I asked their input about the instructor I had selected for my fundamentals class. I enjoyed the conversation and picked up a few insights. There was a good cross-section of DIR, non-DIR but still excellent, DIR not so good, and non-DIR not so good divers on board. Training only takes you so far. Practicing what you learned earns you the label in my mind.

BTW, My attitude towards a few of them changed somewhat after they started leaving tanks lying on the boat deck while underway. Let's just say that boat procedure and etiquette isn't part of the DIR training.

 

[Boogie711]

So, you have a bunch of divers who CLAIMED to be DIR then...

 

[mempilot]

So, you have a bunch of divers who CLAIMED to be DIR then...

Maybe. They had enough GUE logo wear to form their own shop! )

Boogie,

When are you gonna come down here and spend some time in the warm water? I'm putting together some nice tech dives this summer. I'd like to have you guys down sometime so I can put a face to my debate counterpart. )

 

[VTernovski]

need I say more?... those divers were not DIR. end of discussion.

Then there are those who have the training, dive the equipment, claim to be DIR, but fall short on lifestyle and skills.

I was on a tech charter for Memorial Day. 15 slots, about half DIR. Of the half that were, 4 had to weigh over 250lbs (not joking), and this was not due to their aggressive height. I doubt any of them follow a training and nutrition program, but one had the nerve to make a comment about a single piece of my equipment that was out of standard. One was completely out of his element with his stage and deco bottle during kit up.

I have read the book. I am taking the class. I follow the standards with a few exceptions at this point.

This is not a slam, because I agree with the DIR principle. But the DIR label defineatly does not make the diver. Underwater, there are good divers and bad divers. The training in your logbook has nothing to do with your skill and ability.

I look forward to completing the training, as I feel it will make me a better diver. But I'd put my skills up against at least half of those on the boat that day.