"Doing it Right; Fundamentals of Better Diving"

[Campana]

I'm sure someone else has already mentioned this book, if it has already been discussed, please accept this as another view:

I got this book yesterday and scanned it, then read most of it last night. It is by Jarrod Jablonski, CEO of Extreme Exposure and Halcyon and founder/president of GUE.

I believe that the need for my website was not ever there, due to this book being available. It is a 164 page introduction to DIR; the philosophy, requirements, equipment, and attitudes. JJ has good sections in the book. "Are you ready for Technical Diving"? is really good, and the book includes good sections on details of DIR equipment, how to find an instructor, fitness, and many other topics. It really is a ground-up manual that will thoroughly cover the basics of DIR.

JJ is not hostile, patronizing, or arrogant in this book. He emphasizes that DIR is a holistic field, that just getting a long hose; or a backplate; or even total DIR equipage does not make a DIR diver. While these changes are good ones, the whole way of thinking is necessary to be DIR.

There are some cool sections on different aspects of diving, where you can rate yourself as to your skills; are you a new diver, advanced diver, or advanced technical diver. Rating myself allowed me to realize better what some of my strengths and weaknesses are.

Pictures in the book are clear, and you can FINALLY get a good idea about hose placement, equipment arrangement, and streamlining from viewing them.

The important aspects of this book are several. First, if you were totally unfamiliar with DIR diving, after reading the book, you would have a very good start. Second, you would not detect one iota of "holier than thou" attitude; JJ appears friendly, open, and helpful throughout. (I don't believe the word "stroke" is anywhere in this book). The book is, therefore, very persuasive.

The book is quickly available from GUE. It was $24 and I got it in 4 working days. I will not loan this one out, it's a keeper. Yall get you one.

Dave

 

[large_diver]

I agree -- excellent resource for learning about DIR.

Everything I've heard about JJ has been quite positive. He spoke at an area wreck diving show here in New England last spring. I had to leave early and didn't have a chance to see him speak...I'm still kicking myself for that one. He is apparently a very down to earth guy who spent lots of time speaking to folks one on one, etc.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

I haven't a clue what DIR is, never even heard of it before coming to the board and this sounds like a good way to acquire a clue. Since I am getting my instructor certification I think I should at least be familiar with the basics of different types of diving; I should at least be able to answer any questions our OW students might have. Who knows, they may find the board and come to me in class and say "What's DIR?" What's the website for GUE?
Ber

 

[Rick Murchison]

Originally posted by Campana
JJ is not hostile, patronizing, or arrogant in this book. He emphasizes that DIR is a holistic field, that just getting a long hose; or a backplate; or even total DIR equipage does not make a DIR diver. While these changes are good ones, the whole way of thinking is necessary to be DIR.

Truer words were never spoken. As the popularity of the concept of "I'm Doing It Right and You're Not" gains steam, I see more and more divers who claim DIR as their method when in fact they're just good customers of Halcyon. I'm sure JJ is as distressed over this development as I. When he first proposed the extensions to the Hogarthian concept that have evolved into "DIR" I was elated - finally someone had condensed procedure, equipment, configuration, concepts and safety concerns into a unified diving "system" for caving that really made sense.
On the other hand, there are plenty of excellent, safe divers out there whose own holistic methods are just as sound, just as safe, have just as good a track record and are founded in as much or more solid science and experience as "DIR" - in short, "DIR" is one excellent, safe way to dive under many scenarios - and the best way under certain scenarios. But it is not the only way. Indeed, you can be "doing it right" without a single piece of the "DIR" rig.
I find the proposal that a single gear configuration meets all diving missions as preposterous as strapping on the same airframe for troop transport as you do for dog-fighting.
In defense of JJ, I have never gotten the message from him that he's proposing "DIR" for all diving circumstances. *That* I hear from others.
I look forward to reading his book.
Rick

 

[large_diver]

Ber --

http://www.gue.com/catalog/order

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Thanks LD! After Rick's post I'm really curious what this thing is all about.
Ber

 

[Lost Yooper]

Campana,

I, too, have only recently read that book and thought it was superb. JJ made it quite clear that DIR will work exceedingly well for all types of diving from recreational diving on a reef to ice diving to extreme cave diving. I have both the Tech 1 manual and the Cave 1 manual too .

Other styles will allow you to breath underwater and look at fishies, but...



Mike

 

[Lost Yooper]

Ber Rabbit,

Here's list of links that I hand out to anyone who wants learn about DIR.

DIR Stuff

www.gue.com -- Read equipment section.

www.wkpp.org -- Read equipment section and pics.

http://www.sfdj.com/dive/dir1.htm -- Download both DIR 1 and DIR 3. This is good stuff.

http://wrolf.net/index.html -- Scroll down and read all the hogarthian and DIR stuff.

http://www.sfdj.com/dive/dir1.htm -- DIR shop.

http://www.fifthd.com/divestore/classes/video/ -- Compilation of videos showing some DIR procedures and drills in action.

http://gue.com/equipment/backplate6.html -- Backplate Illustration

http://www.gasdiving.co.uk/pages/misc/kit/harness_2.htm -- Webbing a harness.

http://www.cisatlantic.com/trimix/gmism/gmiindex.htm -- DIR FAQ

http://www.tekdyk.dk/doux/UK/setup.htm -- WKPP Doux de Coly

http://www.dis-uk.org/index1.html -- DIR UK

http://www.cisatlantic.com/trimix/other/dirshops.htm -- List of DIR shops.

http://www.halcyon.net/ -- Halcyon

http://www.extreme-exposure.com/ -- EE

http://www.cisatlantic.com/trimix/text/HOGARTH3.TXT -- Hogarthian article by Billy Williams


Happy reading!

Mike

 

[The Chairman]

I just ordered the book... so don't call me closed minded!

 

[Lost Yooper]

:whoa: