What does DIR mean?

[DA Aquamaster]

I would like to note that I have found the "DIR inner circle" quite happy to discuss, consider and even change based on thoughtful discussion.

I agree...and that type of discussion was an integral part of the pre-GUE version of DIR. But the value of that discussion is not a value that is passed down through GUE - it is instead subordinated to an extreme view that DIR has to live and die by standardized rules.

That is indeed true for GUE, but it comes at the expense of DIR.

The effect is that only discussion by the inner circle is allowed and that the process is somewhat insulated as no one who is not heavily DIR is allowed to have those discussions and in turn very good ideas that are found or practiced by non DIR divers have to wait until a member of the DIR/GUE inner circle is exposed to them and accepts them. Meanwhile the rank and filel members throw out great ideas because they have bene indoctrinated on the need for standardization at the apparent expense of all else, and/or do not recognize a godo non DIR idea when they see it. That just strikes me as odd in sport where the consequences of failiure are so unforgiving.

If thoughtful discussion is so valued, why is it not promoted?

 

[JeffG]

The effect is that only discussion by the inner circle is allowed and that the process is somewhat insulated as no one who is not heavily DIR is allowed to have those discussions and in turn very good ideas that are found or practiced by non DIR divers have to wait until a member of the DIR/GUE inner circle is exposed to them and accepts them. Meanwhile the rank and filel members throw out great ideas because they have bene indoctrinated on the need for standardization at the apparent expense of all else, and/or do not recognize a godo non DIR idea when they see it. That just strikes me as odd in sport where the consequences of failiure are so unforgiving.

Its only odd if you think it actually works that way.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Internet scuba DIR expert, pull that scooter over sir, you are doing it wrong!

Seriously, it is all good, what ever floats your boat.

N

Hmmm...I have visions of a flashing red light bewteen a set of doubles marked "Scuba Police" next time I go cave diving. It would be hilarious (especially if I decide to check the pressures of stage bottles and write tickets for those I find with less than 2/3rds pressure). The laughter however would probably result in several drownings in the cave. :depressed:

 

[Teamcasa]

If you are diving in some deep dark cave, thousands of feet from safety, where the difference between life and death is training, preparedness and a reliance on proven methods then DIR/GUE works. However, the problem and attitudes goes haywire when you take that cave diver mindset to the normal recreational diver, having a fun dive on a local reef.

Can you expand on how "training, preparedness and a reliance on proven methods" goes haywire when having a fun dive on a local reef?

Of course I don't mean a DIR/GUE diver is unsafe on the local reef. I mean that when they consider anyone who, while diving the local reef is automatically unsafe because they are not diving to a DIR/GUE standard.

I just don't see any point in branding someone a stroke because they use a 40" hose, coventional octo, air intergrated computer and splitfins when diving their local dive park or reef.

I have never observed this....dive on the Forest City using a 40" hose, conventional octo, an Suunto computer, blah blah," then the term may get bandied about.

So no one could dive the Forest City with the above gear safely? Even if they stay above 130' and just observe the wreck from above?

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Its only odd if you think it actually works that way.

Show me that it doesn't. To date none of the DIR mods has been able to do so either by their actions or example in or out of the DIR forum.

 

[JeffG]

Of course I don't mean a DIR/GUE diver is unsafe on the local reef. I mean that when they consider anyone who, while diving the local reef is automatically unsafe because they are not diving to a DIR/GUE standard.

I'm sorry. That's just silly.

 

[JeffG]

Show me that it doesn't.

cold water divers using dry gloves.

 

[JeffG]

To date none of the DIR mods has been able to do so either by their actions or example in or out of the DIR forum.

Learning how to dive DIR on the internet is a bitch.

 

[Anti-Hero]

I love my drygloves

 

[Thalassamania]

...
The system is a highly standardized one, because standardization brings some significant strengths to any system. But it is neither completely rigid nor fossilized, as the people who teach it are actively engaged in exploration and research diving, and they change things when they see something better...

As a point of information: DIR divers are very active in exploration but not in research diving (though there are a few). A prime tenet of the scientific diving community (that sets it apart from valuable but basically recreational and exploration programs, that range from programs like Reef Check to the WKPP at the extremes) is that you train a qualified, credentialed researcher (or student who is on that path) to dive, you do not train a diver to perform research tasks, having the interpretive and integrative mind in situ is considered key and is a defining criterion.