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Ok guys -- as some of you have gleaned from another thread -- my personal, face to face, experience with DIR divers local to me have been horrendous (lacking a better single adjective to describe these jerks). I have specifically stated that I don't believe that such attitudes are requirement of being a DIR proponent, but that a vocal minority clouds the community.
I'm starting this thread in an honest attempt to clear up some beliefs I have which folks have told me in PM's are incorrect. I'm honestly trying to keep this respectful and specific.
One of the comments made was that DIR doesn't care about equipment configurations or diving styles, only that the DIR diver should follow a basic rule about not diving with unsafe divers -- which, I've been assured, does not mean DIR only divers.
So, I've been perusing the Fundamentals of Better Diving book, and I have a few questions.
First, there's been some talk that DIR does not require specific manufacturers, but it seems that someone forgot to tell the manual authors to stop writing as if they do. For example, after spending some time and effort telling divers how to modify their gear, it's comment that the trouble can be avoided "Alternatively,
divers can avoid all these modifications, and purchase a BC that is specifically
designed for DIR, namely, the Halcyon BC" (page 85). The text is replete with recommendations for particular manufactures, combined with derisive comments about other manufacture's gear. How do DIR divers reconcile the position that GUE/DIR do not require specific manufacturers when the texts are written to strongly suggest that only very specific manufacturers make the gear DIR requires?
Continuing on equipment. While some on this board have stated that they'd have no problem diving with someone in non-DIR sanctioned gear configurations, I fail to see how that would not violate DIR's "don't dive with unsafe divers" rule. In other words, diving with someone "doing it wrong" (honestly said in jest here) is in itself "doing it wrong."
From the Fundamentals book:
Page 67:
Page 84:
How then, can a DIR diver committed to the DIR methodology and philosophy not be considered in violating that methodology and philosophy when diving with someone in a non-DIR sanctioned gear configuration?
I'm starting this thread in an honest attempt to clear up some beliefs I have which folks have told me in PM's are incorrect. I'm honestly trying to keep this respectful and specific.
One of the comments made was that DIR doesn't care about equipment configurations or diving styles, only that the DIR diver should follow a basic rule about not diving with unsafe divers -- which, I've been assured, does not mean DIR only divers.
So, I've been perusing the Fundamentals of Better Diving book, and I have a few questions.
First, there's been some talk that DIR does not require specific manufacturers, but it seems that someone forgot to tell the manual authors to stop writing as if they do. For example, after spending some time and effort telling divers how to modify their gear, it's comment that the trouble can be avoided "Alternatively,
divers can avoid all these modifications, and purchase a BC that is specifically
designed for DIR, namely, the Halcyon BC" (page 85). The text is replete with recommendations for particular manufactures, combined with derisive comments about other manufacture's gear. How do DIR divers reconcile the position that GUE/DIR do not require specific manufacturers when the texts are written to strongly suggest that only very specific manufacturers make the gear DIR requires?
Continuing on equipment. While some on this board have stated that they'd have no problem diving with someone in non-DIR sanctioned gear configurations, I fail to see how that would not violate DIR's "don't dive with unsafe divers" rule. In other words, diving with someone "doing it wrong" (honestly said in jest here) is in itself "doing it wrong."
From the Fundamentals book:
Page 67:
Page 68:Recently, some have tried to respond to the popularity of DIR by advocating
other “systems.” These configurations, however, are not really
systems; they are, rather, a collection of loose recommendations put
together from a variety of sources (often from the DIR system itself ). It
would be wise for divers to be wary of these, since such modifications
compromise the fundamental efficiency and safety of DIR.
Note, "does not enrich the dive" is, in context, clearly referring to non-DIR specified equipment.Equipment that does not enrich the dive is considered a liability and therefore to be left at home.
Page 84:
Now,the text does have plenty of excellent information in it. But the question remains -- the GUE/DIR diving philosophy states that one should not dive with unsafe divers, and the Fundamentals text indicates quite specifically that diving a non-DIR configuration in intrinsically unsafe.However, if, in fact, a diver does need more than 65 pounds of lift for diving doubles, or more than 30 pounds for diving singles, then they do not have a balanced rig and are an accident waiting to happen.
How then, can a DIR diver committed to the DIR methodology and philosophy not be considered in violating that methodology and philosophy when diving with someone in a non-DIR sanctioned gear configuration?