Why isn't DIR universally metric?

[vshearer]

Much like how most everything in Aviation is in Imperial measures, it could be risky to change over to another system when peoples lives are at risk. Its why it was setup as a worldwide standard. .

Though NASA did drive a probe into the surface of Mars awhile back 'cause they forgot they planned in imperial and were operating in metric. Chute opened a little late.

 

[DaleC]

I don't think anyone needs to minimize the fact that having divers possibly communicating depth and pressure in differing units could be a problem. There is a much more intellectually honest answer than that.
In the real world some things are easy to change and others are hard.
It's easiest to standardize equipment, it's easyish to standardize procedures, it's hard to standardize the way people think. Probably the borg collective would prefer to standardize the language of measurment but asking their fellow Americans to completely reject the imperial system and go metric is a tall order. Presidents have lost elections for less.
It seems to be a case of idealism vs realism.
I gave up expecting my parents to be perfect years ago.

 

[kathydee]

Play this number game: very easy to track a slow 1m/min ascent rate from a 6m Safety Stop (or final Oxygen deco stop) to the surface . . .simply for every 30sec, just make sure you're ascending by a delta interval of 0.5m.

Hi Kev,

Thanks. I "played" with similar numbers many times last summer. I learned to dive in metric & did my first 200+ dives in metric. Swapped when I launched on this path.

I'll try to learn both unit systems for full access to the global DIR network. At a recreational level it's easy. Add future planning complexity and the task becomes a bit more daunting. But it seems like some of you have mastered it so I'll give it a go.

I gave up expecting my parents to be perfect years ago.

Hi Dale,

Me too ;-).

 

[Walter]

And whilst the US may have had some influence on the evolution of aviation, don't forget that the first powered flight was achieved by a New Zealander... it's just the Wright brothers had better marketing.

Forget? I wasn't aware the first powered flight was in New Zealand. The first powered flight of which I'm aware was in Pittsburgh 1899. It's not generally considered the first powered flight because there is no record of the event in terms of speed, altitude or distance measurements and Gustave Whitehead crashed. New Zealander Richard Pearse built and flew a plane in March 1903 with many designs now shared with modern aircraft. Pearse's flight also has no records of speed, altitude or distance and also crashed.

No Walter, the tanks aren't empty, they'r at 1 atmosphere & therefore contain 11lts.

Yes, it has 14.7 PSI of gas that is not coming out. It is useless to a diver and a bottle with that amount is generally referred to as empty. Of course at depth it will be considered empty with a higher pressure.

You chaps can't spell litre properly either (or is it just Walter).

I can spell litre, I can spell centre, I can spell honour, I can spell colour. I choose to spell them liter, center, honor and color because those are the correct spellings where I live. When I'm writing primarily for audiences that use the other spellings, I do as well. Just like units of measurement, spelling varies from place to place. You may be shocked to learn that some places even use totally different languages.

What do you mean, the wrong side?

Wrong is the opposite of right. I suspect it's a bit of good humoured (just for Kern) teasing.

 

[Peter Guy]

AndyNZ -- (just to continue THAT hijack) -- while it may be you were taught

This influence, and the desire to sever all remaining links with the mother land, was the main reason that the US chose to pass on the right - despite it making no sense whatsoever.

I was taught another, and I think most sensible, reason why we drive on the correct side!

The majority of people are right handed which means you lead your oxen and horses with your right hand. For the long hauls, the leader walked beside the lead ox or horse which meant he passed oncoming traffic on his left side.

I understand astronauts can still see the wagon wheel tracks from "The Oregon Trail" -- there were some many people that walked it, all with their left side exposed.

 

[AndyNZ]

The majority of people are right handed which means you lead your oxen and horses with your right hand. For the long hauls, the leader walked beside the lead ox or horse which meant he passed oncoming traffic on his left side.

This would make sense.... for the peasants..... just joking, Peter!

 

[Peter Guy]

Andy, since "we" got rid of the royalty, everyone was a peasant!

 

[Guy Alcala]

Why do you need to check their SPG?

Because if they're injured/incapacitated, they may well be using gas at a much higher rate than normal; they may also have lost a considerable amount during whatever caused the problem. If I've got to move them by towing/pushing/pulling, I'd like to have some idea of how long they're likely to be able to go on their own gas (at what may well be a very elevated RMV, more than the nominal 1.0) before I've got to donate mine.

And if its important to be able to check an SPG, why isn't there a backup SPG in the DIR gear configuration?

That is an entirely reasonable question. I always carry a backup depth gauge and wear a watch in addition to my computer/BT, because I want my first line of defense to be personal rather than group redundancy. That may not be the 'book' DIR answer, but it makes sense to me, especially as I solo a lot.

A) I've never checked a buddies SPG except secretively a few times with new buddies diving recreationally when I didn't quite trust their ability to keep tabs on their own gas. And a few times helping out in courses because students often get too task loaded to check, although its really the instructor responsibility.
B) I have asked a buddy a few times just to be able to estimate a turn around time/distance recreationally (going in a big loop)
C) Lastly and most importantly there is never a rush if everyone has a working reg in their mouth. If someone doesn't, well confirming that fact with their own spg is kinda silly.

See above.

I'm not lookin' to reinvent a highly functional system that I've barely glimpsed - so I'll leave you to your tirade .

That's what happens when I'm sick and can't dive or go cross-country skiing like I should be, I get frustrated and kill time by having a good tirade

But just for kicks & old time sakes, I could be talked into hooking up my bars gauge & resetting for meters/Celsius to join you for an afternoon dive someday (if that's what you are running ;-). It would be good practice to play with the numbers anyway.

I'm still using PSI, but am seriously considering making the switch. If not sooner, I'm virtually certain I will once I start tech diving, for all the reasons stated upthread. However, I asked the question here because I was curious about the reason for the glaring inconsistency; was it due to a blind spot or something else? So far, I'd say that it appears to be due mainly to inertia.

Guy

 

[lamont]

I'm still using PSI, but am seriously considering making the switch. If not sooner, I'm virtually certain I will once I start tech diving, for all the reasons stated upthread.

you've probably got a lot of more important things to worry about first before worrying about metric vs. imperial.

 

[Manfred]

Why anyone is still using imerial is beyond me, all I can think of is the old dog new trick thing.
Or maybe because the french invented it?
DIR divers could be on the forefront of change but I think many people don't see the point.