View Full Version : Dir
Lizardland
14-02-08, 22:11
Perhaps but it's made by Halcyon, everyone might think your one of those anally retentive DIR numpty's
After reading a few comments in recent threads I'm just wondering what the general experience/view is of DIR.
When I used to dive OC I dived in what was near as dammit a DIR style. It was just the way I'd been trained to dive when I lived in the US in the mid 90's, although "DIR" had never been termed at that point ("hogarthian" was generally the word used). As a way of diving, the kit and procedures made perfect sense to me and above all I knew when I was diving with someone I didn't know well that generally I knew how their kit worked, I knew how they'd proceed with the dive, I knew they wouldn't f*** off with my emergency gas supply half way through the dive or on deco and I knew how they'd been drilled to react to emergencies.
OK, I've never done any GUE training, I still dive solo if I fancy a dive at short notice (and other situations that I think merit it) and I have no interest in the right knot to tie on a bit of string. I also dive most of the time on a rebreather these days which is definitely out so I can't really call myself "DIR" by any measure. But to me, as a complete system that you can teach to any idiot I think it is hard to beat or find fault in. Just wondering why it seems to have such a bad reputation here. OK, there are a fair few internet twats but that's equally true of any group of divers, or any sport for that matter. You get complete tools everywhere.
As I mentioned in another thread, at the time Wilson was the only other DIR(ish) diver I knew in Scotland, there's a few now but still not many. I've always been surprised that there hasn't been more interest.
Anyway... hopefully sown the seeds of a right good rammy :D
Cheers,
Stuart
Having slagged it off before i now no i was wrong for most of it makes sense :o
i Checked out the GUE site after someone on CA posted a link, much of what is being said makes sense and anything that advances your knowledge and practical skills has to be a good thing. Did'nt look into the cost though, was just at that page when someone came into my office, so had to look busy...:D
Open minded and ready to learn.
Hows this for a paradox I am doing my GUE Fundies on April 18-21 then heading straight to Mallorca to do my PADI IDC (April 23 - May 2) & IE (may 3-4th).
Mutually exclusive? I dont think so..
Davie
Some of the bits about what kits okay and what kits not are a bull, I dive in what feels right and works for me might not work for others, like the 1 piece harness was not for me as I prefer to have QR snaps on my one, and my wing
is bungeed and I use an alloy plate instead of SS.
actually, i found the idea of a one piece harness rather kinky:D
actually, i found the idea of a one piece harness rather kinky:D
lol its less kinky than you think it is.
and its easier to get on and off than I first though although its taken at least three hours of adjustments to get it to the way I want it but I am sure when I get to Fundies it will get fettled even more.
Davie
Lizardland
14-02-08, 23:36
actually, i found the idea of a one piece harness rather kinky:D
You should try a sidemount harness, especially with leg loops attached :D
Lizardland
14-02-08, 23:41
Open minded and ready to learn.
Hows this for a paradox I am doing my GUE Fundies on April 18-21 then heading straight to Mallorca to do my PADI IDC (April 23 - May 2) & IE (may 3-4th).
Mutually exclusive? I dont think so..
Davie
When I used to teach I wore a single piece harness, backplate, long hose, etc., with a single cylinder and got students to wear the same. It's great for rescue courses because it really screws up most people but surprisingly not as much as a harness with a clip in one shoulder did. I've done very little diving in a stab, I can't stand them, I was lucky enough to go to a backplate and wing very early on, 50 dives or something like that.
I've read a bit in to at as well and it has driven changes/choices in my kit. I think the set up makes sense.
I was lucky to go down the wing and twinset route early on as well (under 20 dives :D) but no single piece harness. After a quick release broke after a 2 hour trip to the slates I gave some serious thought about getting one. Maybe one day.
I've gave some thought to doing a GUE course but there are a good few things on my shopping list above it. And no doubt other things will be added that will push it even further down....
Mr Flibble
15-02-08, 13:04
My previous posting regarding 'DIR Numpty's' was meant as a gentle rib poke.
I think alotof what they preach makes sense, buddies having identical kit in identical locations, not relying on computers, practise of core skills for instance. Indeed a lot of what is now deemed DIR was being done by folk like me and the guys who trained me many years before DIR was coined. People didn't bother buying courses they just adopted the practise.
It's really just common sense.
Where it falls down for me is when someone (ineviatibly a yank) coins a phrase, creates a movement and then starts to flog courses in it. Shortly followed by someone marketing his company as the DIR kit manufacturer. I have a deep mistrust of this kind of thing. Is it a case of the cart following the horse or the horse following the cart. By all means create the movement to promote safe dive practises, no problem with that.
My style of diving suits me, if I see/hear or pick something up along the way that helps me then I adopt/practise it.
In the end if you feel this style of diving is common sense and want to pay to learn then fine but I'm a tight git. :D
My style of diving is DIR for me, it's kept me alive for 24 years (whoops tempting fate). Anyone want to buy a course?
iainmsmith
26-02-08, 01:07
Given the various comments about DIR (some favourable, some less so!) would there be interest in a get-together at some point for people to find out a little more about it?
Those on YD may have seen similar events being run by Mal Bridgeman at Stoney and the Chimps at Vobster, which generally seem to be enjoyed by all and I'm up for trying to do the same in Scotland. The idea would be to give people who are "DIR-curious" the opportunity to ask questions, look at and try DIR kit, see the basic DIR skills in action and generally find a bit more out about DIR in the real world rather than the internet! And it might find me some more people to go diving with! :)
I'm not a GUE instructor, but have done Fundies, Tech 1 and Cave 1, so know a little about the subject. I've also got access to a couple of single tank backplate and wing setups and might be able to get hold a spare twinset rig as well.
Depending on whether he's free, I might also be able to persuade John Kendall (25% of the UK's GUE Instructor cadre, for those who don't know him) to come north, as it's about time he visited me anyway!
I was free on May 10 or 11 (my next free weekend!) and was thinking of the Argyll Caravan Park as a venue, simply because there's a bit more space there than in most roadside parking places (and a compressor on site), but am open to better suggestions from those who actually know the area.
So...anyone interested?
Iain
I'm willing to put my fins where my mouth is and give it a go. Should be ok for that weekend as well :D
Great idea Iain.
I will have done Fundies by then too, however I cant make that weekend due to other commitments, It's my Birthday on the 5th and I wont be back from Spain till the 7th so would like to see my kids.
I am not sure that the Argyle caravan park has Nitrox.
Anyhow, worst case I can let you have my wing, backplate, heisers for the weekend if needed and we can arrange a suitable meet up between the 7th and the 11th.
Davie
Lizardland
26-02-08, 09:39
I've got a couple of spare DIR rigged twinsets as well as a couple of scooters (Gavin & Silent Sub). If I'm free that weekend then I can bring them.
I'll also bring my KISS just to balance it :) if anyone wants a go.
Lizardland
26-02-08, 09:55
Oh and I should add I haven't done any GUE training so my input may well involve talking out my arse :D
I'll also bring my KISS just to balance it :) if anyone wants a go.
Handy for any potential buyers as well ;) :D
Lizardland
26-02-08, 14:03
Handy for any potential buyers as well ;) :D
Well there is that :D
Id have come along however im going to be living it up in my current playboy resort of port harcourt again by then,
Ian if you need anything single or twin set up gimme a shout
Be good to get a few more gue trained divers to dive with, thats assuming i ever get back in the water :confused:
iainmsmith
27-02-08, 23:31
I am not sure that the Argyle caravan park has Nitrox.
Davie
True...but I have occasionally been known to breath air when I no other option...like most of my time topside!:D
However, if there's a suitable venue with easy access to nitrox, I'm open to suggestions.
Iain
I'd certainly be interested in this if I can organise childcare for the day (that's a reasonable 'if' I'm fairly certain I'd get something organised)
hi Iain,
just realised who you are ;)
nice to meet you the other week.
johnkendall
29-02-08, 14:02
Depending on whether he's free, I might also be able to persuade John Kendall (25% of the UK's GUE Instructor cadre, for those who don't know him) to come north, as it's about time he visited me anyway!
Yup, I've looked through my Diary and I'm free that weekend, and as you say, it is about time I came up and visited :)
I can bring up a bunch of kit (single and double wings, scooter etc) if people are interested.
Thanks
John
iainmsmith
01-03-08, 18:12
hi Iain,
just realised who you are ;)
nice to meet you the other week.
Yep - that's right. I'm the one who spent longer adjusting Davie's harness (never mind the rest of his kit!) than everyone else spent in the water! :)
Good to be able to start to put faces and names together!
Iain