Monkey Diving - DIR ?

[riguerin]

This is a split from a thread in the So Cal DIR forum.

Monkey diving is a from of diving that involves a scooter and a slung stage
bottle with no wing for boyancy compensation. See the following video.

Is this style of diving considered DIR ? Does it have a place in the DIR system ?

If so, what are the protocols for handling basics to ensure the safety of the team such as air sharing, holding depth and controlling ascent in the event of a scooter failure, etc. What constraints would you place on this form of diving (i.e. depth, overhead, deco, etc).

If not, would you consider this a safe form of diving? How do people who claim to follow the holistic DIR system and participate in this style of diving reconcile the apparent conflict?

Please provide facts to support your position.

 

[rjack321]

If that scooter were to flood, it would take you to the bottom like a stone.

Also have some communication issues without a light and not enough gas to share worth a damn either.

 

[AzAtty]

This must be a troll...tell me, please, that it's a troll.

 

[Soggy]

There is a video of AG and company doing just that on the Xscooter website.

Personally, I think it's fugging dumb, unless you are in 5 ft of water and pseudo-snorkeling.

 

[LAJim]

This is not a troll.

Jim

 

[cool_hardware52]

If that scooter were to flood, it would take you to the bottom like a stone.

Why not just drop the scooter?

Also have some communication issues without a light and not enough gas to share worth a damn either.

No reason you can't use a light if the conditions merit it.

If you are in 20 ft of water how much air do you need to share?

Tobin

 

[dlndavid]

what's DIR ?

 

[Tollie]

Wow...

well of course its not DIR.

and it looks fricken cool and a ton of fun. From the clip it seems to be relitively shallow, very clear and warm(ish)... I cant see what the advantage is of using a stage rather than a single tank set up... but wow.

 

[riguerin]

This must be a troll...tell me, please, that it's a troll.

No it is not a troll. An off-topic discussion regarding DIR practitioners who engage in "Monkey Diving" was introduced in another DIR sub-forum. I've merely split off the the topic here for those participants and larger DIR community to discuss.

 

[DIR-Atlanta]

I can't believe I am responding to this, but oh well ...

No way to share gas (except via buddy breathing), therefore clearly not DIR.