Why not DIR ?

[matt_unique]

I'm disappointed to see this moved into the DIR section. The very specific terms of the DIR thread rules will limit the intent of this question. Even civil anti-DIR posts in the DIR forum are more likely to be removed than in another section. DIR divers are allowed to promote their civil views without sanction in the Basic Discussions for example. Anti-DIR divers should be allowed the same when not in the DIR section.

--Matt

 

[greatwhitepike]

WOW, I knew that there were a lot of postings in this forum but I never expected so much response in so little time. Thank you all very much for your input I really appreciate it very much.
I have to say from an outsiders perspective you DIR or semi DIR guys really do not like to miss any opportunity to say something good about it do you?
Well like I said I understand your point of view but again I did post this to here more of the "why not".
I mean I have done a couple expeditions with Alberta’s Speleological Society just as a bystander and for example used simple webbing harness for descending and ascending where normally I wear a Petzl Navaho V2 so really I do understand the basic concepts of using the different setups. I am just trying to get through more of the hype.

 

[Cacia]

I'm disappointed to see this moved into the DIR section. The very specific terms of the DIR thread rules will limit the intent of this question. Even civil anti-DIR posts in the DIR forum are more likely to be removed than in another section. DIR divers are allowed to promote their civil views without sanction in the Basic Discussions for example. Anti-DIR divers should be allowed the same when not in the DIR section.

--Matt

yes, that seems odd to me....why NOT DIR? to be put in DIR.

I like the pick and choose method. the biggest safety problem I see in diving and life is that people are losing their ability to process information.

Having said that, I would do DIR if I tech or cave dived. But since I want the flexibility to "do what I want" it is not a good fit for me at recreational depths-- it would just clip my wings too much. I did buy the DIR fundamentals DVD's and I like hearing their opinions because they are very committed. The gear config I go with to some degree. I think a bungee reg for back-up is optimal. Long-hose because I like to air share with my buddy for timing purposes on drift, photog, etc.. is also mandatory for me.

Some DIR people are upset that gypsy divers like myself have *******ized their methods. But I have had no problems with that I just hear about the attitude, haven't experienced it at all.

wow, I think that is a proper word!

 

[greatwhitepike]

You have a very valid point Matt and I never even thought of it like that. I guess I just hope that you keep in mind that I am not by any means anti DIR I was just looking for the other sides opinion. I had originally posted this message in intros being new to the whole SB way and the monitors moved it because I duplicated the post in Tech diving and they said it was kind of like spamming. I promise to show more diligence next time I create a new thread. Sorry for the stress.

 

[Snowbear]

Our shop rents DIR-compatible equipment to those wanting to take the class if they do not own it.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

So does the one up here...

 

[lamont]

You will soon discover the number 1 reason to avoid DIR as your only resource for improving diving skills; it's the attitude of many (not all) DIR divers. This attitude is indeed "there is only one way to dive, there is only one acceptable configuration, and you just don't understand DIR if you do not agreed with our methods". Ask any diver who is not DIR and they will likely share this impression.

I'm still waiting to meet the "many" DIR divers who share this attitude. Of the couple dozen people I know around here (in real life, not on the internet), I can think of one or two who can have a bad attitude about it.

As far as the original posters question goes, DIR can be great for divers who start out since it is a complete system that doesn't have a lot of boundaries. A lot of divers who start out buying Air2's, jacket BCs and split fins buy gear all over again once or twice as they progress to more demanding diving. I don't know of a lot of people who have started with BP/W, long hose and jefins and gone back the other way. Its unlikely to be a choice that you'll later seriously regret. You might wind up with some kind of crazy sidemount gear, but you'll have to reconfigure your gear for that no matter how you start out.

OTOH, particularly for recreational diving, there's a lot of other choices. I'd suggest against jacket BCs and in favor of back-inflates, I'd suggest a long hose setup, but I dive with guys who use Air-2s. I'd suggest against pony bottles and in favor of team diving, but I've dove with guys who use 'em (but the more they look like a slung stage bottle, the better, imo). I'm sure there's probably good instructors out there, but I can recommend that in a DIRF class you'll get an enormous level of feedback with video review that I guarantee will turn you into a better diver. OTOH, I've dove with divers who were (IIRC) IANTD trained divers where I couldn't see any noticable difference between how they dove and how all the DIR divers I know dive, at least on recreational profiles.

I guess if you disagree fundamentally with any of the logic behind the gear choice, or the skills or the focus, that would be the biggest reason to not go DIR. If it all generally makes sense to you, there's really no reason not to go down that road though. You will have to put up with the occasional zealot. You may find yourself not entirely wanting to be so closely associated with a certain gear manufacturer (*cough*). You might not like the endless arguments over minutae. Mostly those are all pretty peripheral, though -- particularly for the recreational DIR diver.

 

[Nemrod]

Why was this moved to DIR, the question itself is generic. First off, most divers have never heard of DIR. I had heard of it but really had no idea it's exact nature until visiting this board. Secondly, scubaboard is populated by atypical divers--not TYPICAL divers so what you hear and see here is not what you hear and see out in the dive world.
Snowbears says "old time divers" have a problem with DIR, fact is most don't give a flying***** BUT I see it different and realize that actually many old time trained divers are more DIR than some supposed for real DIR sorts.

1) We believed in simplification and that is our major emphasis as opposed to redundancy first and then simplification
2) DIR is team oriented and old time training is more self reliant
3. We use instruments on our wrist vs consoles just as do DIR
4. We don't use jackets BCs, in fact we may use no BC to achieve maximum "zen" and trim
5. We "old time" sorts use backplates with stiff webbing just as DIR
6. DIR promotes fitness and so did old time training.
7. "old time" training used gas calculations to figure bottom times and all that just as does DIR in most respects

The computer issue is another area where old time meets DIR, neither truely trust the computer over using their own computations. BUT, I have been told more than once in recent years--no computer---no dive!!
I like most of the DIR concepts and I like having these fellows as a resource for knowledge and I respect their methods. I don't dive DIR but I have incorporated various aspects. The going on about the length of hoses or where a pocket goes or BLACK ONLY may seem trivial but I appreciate their wanting to maintain a specific configuration that is universal basis for all their explorations and that really does make sense when you think about it.
I just don't see DIR ever being mainstream in the instant diver world of today.
N

 

[rmannix]

1) We believed in simplification and that is our major emphasis as opposed to redundancy first and then simplification
2) DIR is team oriented and old time training is more self reliant
3. We use instruments on our wrist vs consoles just as do DIR
4. We don't use jackets BCs, in fact we may use no BC to achieve maximum "zen" and trim
5. We "old time" sorts use backplates with stiff webbing just as DIR
6. DIR promotes fitness and so did old time training.
7. "old time" training used gas calculations to figure bottom times and all that just as does DIR in most respects

N

Whats this "we" ****?

 

[Uncle Pug]

Sorry folks. This thread should not have been moved to the DIR forum and has been returned to the General Tech forum.

 

[H2Andy]

why not DIR?

well... let me say that i loved reading JJ's book (and learned a lot from it), and
that i loved DIR-F (and learned a lot from it), and that i have enjoyed diving with
DIR guys (and learned a lot from them)

but i dive a computer (not DIR), and i dive air (not DIR), and i dive solo at times
(definetly not DIR)

so... by its very definition, i'm not DIR

which i guess begs the question: why haven't i dropped the computer,
dive with 32 Nitrox, and never go solo?

well... it doesn't fit my diving... i like the computer, i don't see the benefits
of 32 over air in the kind of diving i do to justify the expense, and sometimes,
if i want to dive, i have to do it alone.