The "other" end of the DIR question

[jhelmuth]

Well... in my eyes, I've always been "doing it right" 8o)

The reason I don't "join" any organization is that I am comfortable being me - I don't need to be labeled for others to approve of who I am. I've also noticed that any organization which promotes itself (and especially promotes a comercial entity - like Halcyon) is also comercial, and therefore runs on a profit motive (if not, then they would not "dis" other comercial entities - like Oxycheq). Not my concern, nor my cup-of-tea.
On a positive note... I love some of the philosophies that DIR expouses: Fitness and Health, knowing one's limits, focus on skills. These are all good and worthwile endevours. But I don't think that any of the above specifically require specific, approved, DIR gear to acheive.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I liked much of what hogarthian diving had to offer long before the concept of DIR had even been thought of. I also like much of what is advocated in DIR philospohy due to its hogarthian roots. But on the other hand I also do not like much of what it has become or the overzealous manner in which it is preached.

It is, feel free to correct me if I am wrong, very a much an all or nothing proposition. A diver can adopt all of the DIR concepts that fit with their diving style and the mission at hand but if they omit one idea or technique that does not fit what they personally do, they are not considered "DIR". A failure to conform 100% is considered heresy.

On another board a discussion was had about billy rings and several divers despite very good reasons for using them, all stopped under pressure from instructors as it was not "DIR". I cannot fathom why a diver would choose to do this and would fold to peer presure on an issue like this. If an item like a billy ring works better in a situation and poses minimal risk to what you personally do why stop? Simply to belong to a group who does not appear to believe what you believe - it makes no sense to me.

I personally have no use for an agency or philosophy that does not allow for free thought, individuality, or the ability for a diver to adapt their equipment to the specific requirements of the dive. In my opinion, DIR philosophy takes precendence over the requirements of a specific mission and I do not agree with this. I believe in ground rules and guidlines but I also believe that an individual diver needs to be free to deviate from them when the situation requires it.

I also have no use for the small percentage fo DIR zealots who feel the need to preach to the unclean divers who, based on years of experience and not just on what they heard in class, understand there is in fact more than one way to do almost anything and doing it differently does not mean it is neccesarily any less safe than "doing it right".

The only reason tech diving advanced in the face of dive industry pressure to stay within recreational limits (on air no less) was that divers were always willing to experiment and try new things that were not approved. It was this freedom to experiment that was the key to the evolution of diving technique and configuration. DIR takes it largely upon itself to decide what is or is not approved and in the process snuffs out the spark that made tech diving such a wonderful asset to the diving community. I guess I don't see that as a good thing and it is not something I want to be a part of.

 

[Grajan]

I am not DIR. I am not going to be DIR. I think it is too prescriptive for a tropical recreational diver like me - BUT - I have learned a great deal from the DIR debate and modified my gear accordingly:

I switched to the 7' hose / bungeed 'octo' configuration and would never give it up - a wonderful and IMHO much safer configuration.

I switched to a 'Balance' back inflate BC (not a BP but functionally similar) and love that too.

I will switch to canister lighting as soon as I can afford it.

I focus much more on the finer points of my trim and technique that I did before.

I too have been diving for nearly thirty years but the combination of all these "DIR induced" changes has dramatically improved my diving experience so I guess my suggestion is to look beyond the "DIR / anti DIR" debate, be open to new ideas for yourself, critically consider the options and try the ones that make sense to you. This is not an all or nothing choice.

 

[MikeFerrara]

The issue of standardized gas mixes is one of the sore spots for me. I personally believe in adjusting my mix depending on the dive. I may push a higher PO2 in warm water with less gear and exposure protection than I would in a drysuit and full wreck diving gear, for example.

The issue of standard gasses is a good one to talk about whether you want to use them or not.

Before you dive a gas you need to mix it right?

Notice that the GUE standard gasses 32%, 21/35, 18/45, 15/55 and 10/70 can all be mixed with helium ans 32%. So...if you bank 32% mixing is always a snap. Even if you don't have banked 32% it simplified mixing calculations. 30/30 is one of the oddballs but I usually don't use it.

If we use the same gas for the same depth range all the time we'll also get a good feel for what out schedules are like and how they're effected by depth and time changes or even a lost decompression gas. Now we don't need a computer or even a bunch of schedules written in our wet notes. If you do want them written down you can do it once, put it in your wet notes and you're set until you need to replace the little notebook. You just jump in and dive.

We'll both always show up at the dive site with the same has and having planned the same decompression even if we modify it on the fly due to a change in profile. You won't mind if you have to use my gas or I yours.

You get this HUGE amount of simplification in every process from mixing to planning decompression to dealing with emergencied like lost gas.

Now what do you give up?

Maybe a few minutes of bottom time based on a theoretical "NDL"? Who cares it's splitting hairs.

You like to cut back PPO2 in cold water or for hard work? Take a look at the PPO2's of those gasses in the depth ranges they're used in. There's no need to cut back. The exception might be the 30/30 in cold water

Compare all the planning steps for everything from mixing to handling problems for multiple divers using best mix as appose to standard gasses. Don't end the comparisson at recreational no-stop dives because we don't want to have to relearn things later.

 

[adder70]

I think the name says it all. "Dive our way and you are doing it right" with the implication that anything else is wrong. That attitude permeates the entire fabric of the DIR cult. When you name the concept "Doing it Right" you have in that one choice indicated your feelings concerninig any other opinions and open-mindedness.

The concept that you are supposed to use technical diving techniques for basic rec dives and avoid diving in any situation with any diver who is not DIR is just not my style.

So, if it's DIR or DIW, I think I'll just DIW and stay away from DIR folks. (Since they cannot dive with me and be DIR anyway.)

Sure, there are some good techniques in DIR classes, but are those methods GUE innovations or Hogarthian innovations claimed by GUE imitators?

 

[gfisher4792]

I personally like individuality, and the mentality of the few more outspoken DIR divers is an instant turnoff. Don't get me wrong, many of the diving concepts seem spot on, and personally believe that the vast majority of DIR followers just love to dive without pushing philosophy.

However, that handful of die-hard DIR kool-aid drinkers just turn me off. And if I understand things correctly, DIR is supposed to be just diving philosophy, right? Then where did the vegan and other non-direct diving beliefs come from? I'm all for bettering your health, but come on.....

 

[DennisS]

R.

The question I have to the non-DIR divers is why haven't YOU taken up DIR? I too want an honest answer not the run of the mill gobbletygooop.
(thanks Fred for the idea)

I've been diving for over 30 years, have taken scientific diver courses, and various other courses. I don't do cave, don't penetrate wrecks, very seldom dive over 100 ft and have no inclination to do so.

I lobster, shoot fish, and do video and still photography. Their methods don't work for me. Did you ever try to grab a lobster in a hole with a wrist gauge on? I don't have a buddy that will follow me like a shadow while I hunt for fish. Very few people want to remain behind me while I lay in the sand in front of a reef for an hour doing photography.

I'm retired and live 5 minutes from a good beach diving site. If I decide to go diving at 1 o'clock on a wed afternoon, I can be in the water by 1:30. I don't have to plan ahead and get a dive buddy, I go solo.

It's not for everyone. Not everyone likes anchovies on their pizza. It's just one of the many choices people have. It's just not my choice. It's a big ocean with lots of room for all kinds of divers.

 

[DWJ]

My son and I did our open water certification at a DIR oriented dive shop. Being new, we did not even know that there was such a thing as DIR. We did notice that these DM's were passionate about the way they dived. In some ways it was a bit scary. My 15 year old son said, and I'm not kidding here, " It's like a cult, there worshiping at the halcyon god".

Being a member of this board I learned what DIR is and have studied the philosophy and agreed with some but not all of the "teachings". Diving to me is a community, a social gathering of like mined people. I won't dive dir because the people I dive with have philosophy similar to me.

That’s probably why I don't play golf either.

 

[The Chairman]

Personally,

as with many orginizations, there are going to be zealots and wannabes that make a bad name for the true believers. I first learned of DIR on this board, and have even been considered to be "anti" Dir, which is not true.

But I am not DIR, and I doubt that I will ever be. While I see a need for it doing extreme diving, I find no compelling need to convert to it for the types of diving I do and teach.

This board has done more to improve my diving and teaching then can be fully appreciated. Buddy awareness and a real understanding and desire to do safety stops came from this board and thats only the beginning. Some DIR divers have added to my understanding, and for them I am greatful.In addition to that, I have met two of my "Instructor Mentors" right here (MB and Walter).

 

[gkndivebum]

Strict DIR? No -- I'm happy with my OMS harness/wing, and don't want to buy a Halcyon
setup right now and don't want to shorten my SPG hose by 2" and clip it where I can't
easily see it. Adapt a lot from DIR techniques? Sure. Long hose, gas switch protocol
(MOD marking/check/buddy check), buoyancy control, streamlined configuration... Lots
of good ideas; it's a pity some of the message is delivered by people who consider the
rest of us "strokes"...

Best -

gkn