I have been watching all the DIR posting with interest for a few months. It's become obvious, to me at least, that there is a very vocal group of DIR posters that actually either have no formal training or have not done any post training dives with experienced DIR divers. Ive met and dove with countless DIR divers and instructors and almost all were very friendly and not militant at all, despite the heated conversations that go on here.
The reality of DIR diving is much different than what had been portrayed. In reality very few DIR divers are as regimented or strict as what is often described here.
When I do tech or cave diving, Im configured 95% DIR, as is most everyone else, and have never had complaints or had other DIR divers refuse to dive with me. I (we) are usually just thankful to have someone of similar mindset to dive with. (I once had a group of cave divers grill me about my experience before letting me dive with them, but they were not GUE.)
Just so you know, my deviations from strict DIR are that I wear my instruments on different wrists than whats recommended simply for practical reasons. I have also began holding the primary light in my right hand because it makes more sense than having to constantly untangle it from the primary hose. (I dont scooter.) Almost every DIR diver Ive dove with has some minor modification from the strict version of DIR, its just accepted.
I do pickup dives frequently and in order to have the most diving options, I dive with the DIR crowd, and despite being DIR, I also dive with non-DIR divers as long as I dont believe there is a safety issue. I feel that diving with a diverse group has helped improve my skills not weaken them.
I knew something was up with that.
