Why is DIR the "right" way?

[ScubaVP]

I haven't been visting these boards for too long, so at the risk of getting beaten up, I have to post the following questions:

1. Why are there so many firm believers that DIR is the "ONLY" way to dive?

2. Why would a recreational diver ever need/want/desire to learn these methods of diving?

Diving is supposed to be fun. The vast majority of us out here are in it for the fun of seeing undiscovered territory (ok, it has been seen by others, but not by us) and for the joy of being around some really great people. All of this discussion about DIR this, DIR that, get a BP/wings, etc. is very annoying.

I am willing to bet that there are no cases that prove or disprove that either way is better for RECREATIONAL diving. For technical diving, an area which I have no desire to explore, DIR or some other way may be better than PADI, NAUI, YMCA, etc.

I am interested in thought out responses here (please, no "You must suck because you aren't a DIR/GUE diver comments")

 

[metridium]

ScubaVP wrote...
2. Why would a recreational diver ever need/want/desire to learn these methods of diving?

To be a better diver, for one. The focus on streamlining and trim has helped my u/w comfort level and breathing rate, while the focus on finning technique has improved my control in tight spaces.

ScubaVP wrote...
Diving is supposed to be fun.

Still is....and more so.

ScubaVP wrote...
All of this discussion about DIR this, DIR that, get a BP/wings, etc. is very annoying.

So filter it out. Avoid obvious topics, or skip over certain posts.

BTW, I'm not a DIR diver, though I generally follow their equipment configurations.

 

[Fetch]

There's nothing I can think of about being a DIR diver that isn't fun. In fact, I'd instead tend to believe I'm having more fun, now. I've met a lot of great people while diving, but even the best are as annoying as (insert expletive) when they don't try to swim near you, or don't know their own gear config, or whatever.

To answer #1 - No one has ever shown me a diveable alternative that is as safe, functional, and fun as DIR diving.

To answer #2 - While gear-wise I often have no problem in getting less than the best, I don't wish to waste my time or money on training that isn't worth it. DIR training has been worth it, and then some.

But, like I tried to say, the supposition that DIR diving isn't fun is just... wrong. You dive for the same reasons I dive (and probably in some nicer places than I have ). The discussion can drone on and on and get annoying, but it basically boils down to: give it a try. A proper try, that is, with a real pro there to help you understand things. Sometimes its so hard to convince people to try the DIR system, that proponents such as myself seem strident and annoying.

On behalf of all of us, though, "We're going to keep trying, because we need more competent dive buddies"

jeff

 

[joens]

most of us started out not knowing anything about DIR and as recreational divers learned things from other divers /instructors we came to find out was unsafe . then we find out there is someone out there who feels the same way .I am rambling let me give an example . soon after I started diving I realized the ordinary way of stowing the octo was #@$*& .more than once I discovered it dragging in the weeds/dirtwhen it came loose from the *&%^$ stupid clip on the belt. the instructor / LDS told me about Air 2 ,another*&^#$ stupid purchase although slightly better than the standard octo. Then I find out about a long hose on the primary and the octo on a short hose bungeed just below the chin . All of a sudden I saw the light there is hope , a brighter tomorrow. which by the way is actually a much cheaper solution than a horribly expensive air 2 . so now I am irritated with all the people who led me down the evil air2 path and rejoicing in my new found freedom from entanglement and then some one comes along and wants to tell me the old way is better someone who has never seen the light .I know I once lived in the darkness there are reasons to all the DIR procedures one may not dive in such a manner to fully benefit from them . but they are there nonetheless.
joens

 

[ScubaVP]

Fetch once bubbled...
On behalf of all of us, though, "We're going to keep trying, because we need more competent dive buddies"

jeff

I don't know how you can judge my competence level as a diver, since we have never dove together. I may not be as good as some, but I guarantee that I am better than most. It is my opinion that for normal recreational diving, DIR is a little bit excessive.

 

[Paco]

I know very little about DIR diving too, so I asked google.com and found this. (I think it may have been posted before as well in another string somewhere.) Hope it helps someone again.

www.dirquest.com/about_dir.shtml

 

[joens]

someone who never dives deeper than 30" likely has no need for a second stage that can be disassembled underwater . but that doesn't mean they cant have a better underwater experience with improved trim and bouyancy no dangling octo's and many of the other things DIR is about .
joens

 

[large_diver]

DIR is actually geared towards making diving more fun. It is a diving philosophy that advocates streamlined gear, strong basic skill development & ongoing maintenance, buddy awareness/skills, comprehensive pre-dive planning/preparation, and physical fitness to help make you a better diver.

As a strictly recreational diver, I started getting into DIR because it made sense to me.

Part of it is the gear -- I like the freedom of movement provided by a simple harness and I like the flexibility of a longer hose for air-sharing.

Part of it is the skills and the focus on continual practice. GUE (the training agency that teaches DIR diving) doesn't have a copyright on recommending skill improvement/practice, but it does have some pretty specific recommendations on the specific skills that will help you be safe underwater (and thus enjoy your diving more). I find this helpful.

Just to be clear -- GUE is not out there saying all recreational divers should move to a backplate/wings or face certain death. The DIR philsophy came from the tech/cave diving world. If you are doing riskier diving -- DIR is a great way to minimize that risk.

For recreational diving -- the message to take away is that DIR may be one way to improve your diving. GUE will offer you the tools to do that.

As for DIR being the "only" way to dive -- that is subjective opinion and should be taken as such. No matter what you're arguing about (Ford vs. Chevy, Manual vs. Automatic transmission, sex on top or on the bottom), you will have opinions all over the map, with some of them being extreme. Take these opinions with a grain of salt and make up your own mind.

My $0.02.

 

[ScubaVP]

joens once bubbled...
someone who never dives deeper than 30" likely has no need for a second stage that can be disassembled underwater . but that doesn't mean they cant have a better underwater experience with improved trim and bouyancy no dangling octo's and many of the other things DIR is about .
joens

You will also learn to improve your trim and bouyancy by diving more than twice a year. I am a pretty serious diver, and my fiance and I do quite a bit of freshwater diving throughout the year. We have never been in, seen, or heard of an experience that would have had a different outcome by using DIR diving methodologies.

With respect to the dangling octo and console, I think that the diver needs to be aware of their own equipment. This is something that a method/certification agency cannot teach.

 

[ZoCrowes255]

metridium once bubbled...
To be a better diver, for one. The focus on streamlining and trim has helped my u/w comfort level and breathing rate, while the focus on finning technique has improved my control in tight spaces.

Purchasing wings and wearing an octo around your neck will not make you a better diver. And concentrating on trim IS NOT exclusive to "DIR" it's common sense.