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I teach these skills in my OW class as do many instructors. No need to wait until cave. Your life and comfort always rely on great skills and situational awareness.
For many of us: its also an attitude. No one could ever successfully label me a DIR Basher. In fact, I have done a lot to protect DIR divers from undue criticism. However, the manic standardization and the "just because" defenses used by many to justify gear selection/rejection smacks most of us as just silly. It is truly reminiscent of the blind faith exhibited by the devotees of any religious cult. In fact, we are often asked to edit/moderate comments to that effect. Its important for any person considering DIR to understand the animosity and it's history in order to make an informed decision.
Just because. We get it. It's really an either/or issue for DIR. If you really like DIR then you must NOT go with the Express Tech. If you really like the Express Tech then you must NOT go with DIR. For many, including myself, "just because" is not enough. In the absence of any compelling reason why the Express Tech is not acceptable for diving, then I'm going to pass on the attitude.
that the Express tech is a decent BC for most divers, maybe even great, as you like it so much..... ..We are just trying to give detailed answers on how someone with an interest in "our" team based and common sense style of diving, would view the Zeagle.
Even a cursory buddy check would resolve this with the Express Tech. You do buddy checks, right?
The most important step to addressing any personal bias is admission. Many of these biases are fine. However, requiring others to share your bias without a compelling reason is anathema to me.
I like Halcyon as well as Deep Sea Supply, Hollis and others. All of them have brought some great innovations and products to the sport. Unfortunately, many divers have a "Chevy vs Ford" mentality that mandates "If I don't sell it, teach it or dive it, it must be junk!"
You think his horizontal attitude explains this? Dude, the man was an incredible physical specimen at the time he did those dives. There are a lot of factors other than a horizontal trim that explains why this was possible for HIM. Clouding up these anecdotal events with pseudo-science does him and you a disservice. Me? I would never attempt those dives. I have absolutely no desire to do those dives. I am already enamored with the zen of diving and don't need any such goal.
We don't allow hate speech here on ScubaBoard. However, we don't equate a difference of opinion as hate either! If you feel that any post contains hate speech or is a simple troll then please, please hit the report button at the bottom left of the page! That being said, if you make false statements about gear then please expect those with experience with that gear to correct you. Sorry if that upsets you. Its the best part about our forums: BS gets corrected.
We don't allow bashers either and "DIR bashers" have been used a lot in this thread. This type of defensiveness is counter productive to the discussion and only serves to create an atmosphere of mistrust. This is especially true when there is no hint of it. I also keep people saying he has chosen his DIR path, and I just don't see that. Attraction does not infer acceptance. While it's marketing 101 to assume the sale, its incumbent on those who see things differently to point that out. Constantly inferring that we are haters, bashers or just love to argue in order to win the point is simply deceitful at best.
One of the many things I like about this BC.
