dir equipment configuration/ Courses

[kontiki]

im a fairly new diver but just like all the past "things" i got myself into i always would like to start on the right foot so to speak.

after weeks of getting my feet wet literally and figuratively i feel fourtunate to have learned about the DIR philosophy and GUE programs. Not only have my learning curve seem to progress more my thirst for exellence in everything i get into is satisfied ( i have always belived that "if your going to to do something worth doing do it right" )

Hoping this furoms would help augument the limited exposure we have here regarding the DIR way.

To try to start things right please comment on the following gear i recently aquired and my plans in either changing or aquiring additionals.

BC : Diverite TransPacII (Plan to replace with Halycion Pioneer System)

Regs : Beuchat Din Vx10 (need comments on these plus consideration of replacing or aquiring a Apeks atx200)

Spg : Aquamondo on a 24" hose
Backup Second stage : (suggestions please)

Mask : Beuchat ( comments and suggestions Please)

Fins : Scubapro jet fins with spring straps

Wet Suit : (comments and suggestion please)

As for certifications and additional courses i"m taking my advance open water then my next progression seems to be very vauge from the numerous feedbacks i heard some even from people with out personal expercience of thier suggestions.

[Aquamaniac]

Your going to get ALOT of comments in regards to this post.
Do a few searches on the equipment you listed. There is a wealth of information here.
Be very thorough on gear selection. If you choose the right rig, it will last you for YEARS. If you go down the wrong path, it will cost you BIG time.
Dont rush into it. The right gear will most likely cost you less than the wrong gear.
DIR is more than gear, its a philosophy. What you are buying is a modified hogarthian rig and applying DIR philosophy to it.
You mentioned GUE courses. Your heading in the right direction. Im sure there will be a flurry of post on what to do as far as courses. Read the advice very carefully and make you OWN decision.
I wont list what I think is the right rig, the answers to your questions are already in this board, "Look and ye will find", and youll learn a heck of alot in the process.
Correct gear selection is not being told what to buy, but understanding what your buying.

Dave

[NervousWreck]

Although I shouldn't admit, I actually owned a TrashPak II. Make sure that's the first piece you replace. Get used to a backplate and don't waste your time with the DiveRite.

[Uncle Pug]

where are you located?

[ElectricZombie]

I agree, get a BP ASAP. Once you start diving with a BP, you will never go back. You should also consider getting a FredT backplate. I'm not familiar with Beuchat regulators but, I would suggest ScubaPro.

[filtered]

The Beauchat VX10 looks very much like the Apeks DST / TX50. Internals may be the same.

I personally use Apeks but friends who use the Beauchat claim its quite a good reg. Good thing that Apeks in my country is relatively cheap :)

[kontiki]

Aquamaniac once bubbled...
Your going to get ALOT of comments in regards to this post.
Do a few searches on the equipment you listed. There is a wealth of information here.
Be very thorough on gear selection. If you choose the right rig, it will last you for YEARS. If you go down the wrong path, it will cost you BIG time.
Dont rush into it. The right gear will most likely cost you less than the wrong gear.
DIR is more than gear, its a philosophy. What you are buying is a modified hogarthian rig and applying DIR philosophy to it.
You mentioned GUE courses. Your heading in the right direction. Im sure there will be a flurry of post on what to do as far as courses. Read the advice very carefully and make you OWN decision.
I wont list what I think is the right rig, the answers to your questions are already in this board, "Look and ye will find", and youll learn a heck of alot in the process.
Correct gear selection is not being told what to buy, but understanding what your buying.


Thanks! i know in the end its me who will decide but id like to have my decision to well informed and through. what im really avoiding is "learning" DIR, etc tru the net. But hey this forums are great.

kon

Dave

[Uncle Pug]

As for your equipment questions I'll defer that to others.

Concerning DIR and your location: Contact www.GUE.com or www.FifthD.com directly and ask if there will be any DIR classes in your area.

It makes no sense to me to attempt full compliance with DIR equipment wise if you are missing the most important ingredient: a like minded buddy committed to safety and excellence.

I would make finding such a buddy or even group of buddies your primary focus at this point... then pursue training opportunities... equipment is down the list in importance imo.

[MikeFerrara]

I wouldn't be in too big a hurry to replace equipment. IMO, knowlege and skills are the most important ingrediants. You need to know what it should look like and spend enough time in the water to get there. As far as training make sure who ever you go to is teaching good solid skills. I believe GUE does this. There are others who do also but they will be hard to find because the agency name doesn't carry any garantees.

[Piggy]

ElectricZombie once bubbled...
You should also consider getting a FredT backplate.

What are the advantages of FredT backplate comparing, let's say with Halcyon? I understand it has more options like heavy or short ones and a bit cheaper. Anything else?

[ElectricZombie]

The FredT backplate is made from 316 steel, an extremely corrosion resistant metal. The Halcyon is made from a steel that is not quite as corrosion resistant. I beleive this is why they have the shiny coating on the plate. Still, I don't think either one will ever start to rust.

I've compared my FredT to the Halcyon plate and actually like both of them. Both are very well made. The Halcyon plate has a nice shiny finish while the FredT plate has a dull finish. Some people might site this as a reason to get one over the other but, I don't think it really matters.

I really like the webbing that FredT uses. It's nice and stiff, making it so you don't need keepers where the webbing passes through the plate.

As you mentioned, you have more of a choice if you go with FredT. With the different plate weights and STA weights, you can really help get some weight off your belt. FredT is cheaper. I got a standard 6lbs plate and a harness kit for about $123 including shipping. Later I ordered the 2lbs STA and bolts for $63 shipped. Total of $186 with shipping, which is less than just the plate and harness from Halcyon.

Either way, both are good plates. I'll probably pick up a Halcyon plate later on to keep just for single tank diving.

[ScubaDan]

How do you get a FredT plate.

[ElectricZombie]

You have to email him:

ftagge@goldinc.com

If you have any questions, I'm sure he can help you out.

[ScubaDan]

Thanks

[sillygrendel]

This past weekend I took rescue. I was one of two students in the class. The other student had the 'standard' config with an aqualung malibu.

The Instructor and DM are pretty familar with the DIR rig. (divernva was the DM, and had his harness for the class)

Before the first day of diving we went over eachothers gear very carefully -- with the fact in mind we would have to remove it in the water later on. I explained how to best get the harness off and pulling at the d-rings and remembering the necklace, etc... I was pretty throrough.

When it came time for him to remove my gear on the surface, he had a hell of a time on the first try and gave up. The instructor commented "So... How do you like your deathtrap? Now you know part of the reason for always wanting to have a DIR buddy." He eventually did get it. I practiced removing the BP/harness from the DM.

Definitely one of the things that stuck in my mind for the weekend....

[roakey]

sillygrendel once bubbled...
The instructor commented "So... How do you like your [DIR]deathtrap?
Of course it's faster to get someone out of a wrecked car if they're not wearing a seatbelt, too. That doesn't mean that a seatbelt is a "deathtrap."

Roak

[boomx5]

sillygrendel once bubbled...
The instructor commented "So... How do you like your deathtrap?

When I took my rescue class it wasn't that hard for my buddy to get my harness off. Yes, it was a little more work, and yes he wasn't that familier with the setup but it wasn't that big of a deal.
I personally would call something a deathtrap that wasn't reliable or had so much crap on it that you couldn't find the inflator hose in an emergency. I could go on and on just don't let what the instructor said bug you.

[sillygrendel]

A pair of shears or a knife'll get it off pretty quick...

I think he was mostly refering to your buddy not being familiar with your equipment.

[sillygrendel]

I quite like my deathtrap! :out:

[Aquamaniac]

sillygrendel once bubbled...
A pair of shears or a knife'll get it off pretty quick...

I think he was mostly refering to your buddy not being familiar with your equipment.

C'Mon, someone has to say it.....................

Rule #...................?????

[MikeFerrara]

I recently put on a rescue class where everyone in the class including Me and the DM were wearing bp/wings. We have no problem at all. My DM's can remove a harness quickly and do it demonstration quality.

[sillygrendel]

He got it without too much in the way of problems on the second try.

The instructor demonstrated after he didn't get it on the first try. I think he wanted to needle us about not being familiar with eachothers gear...

I also think he wanted to needle me about using it a bit...

We had talked about how to get it off for 10 min that morning!! I thought it might happen so I was careful to try and explain it well. Sigh... Either I'm poor at explaining or he was poor at listening.

After the demonstration he did a pretty good job. I could remove it pretty easily from the DM but then again, I'm much more familiar with the rig.

It was a good class though. I was definitely a bit sore on Monday.

[boomx5]

sillygrendel once bubbled...
I was definitely a bit sore on Monday.

I didn't realize just how out of shape I was.