Curious....

[thehappychappy]

OK, having read both the great cave trip reports over Easter and Fiona's DIR-F course report, I'm starting to get curious.


The diving sounds fantastic, the principles sound acceptable with compromise.

I've ordered DIR book by Jarrod off ebay, what next?
I'm going to be in the med all summer, when I get back end of August / September any intro to DIR lectures on the go? DIR Scottish Divers?

My understanding is I shouldn't use a neoprene suit? True / False, If that's true its the one thing that would cost me, as I actually really like my Othree, it keeps me dry and warm.

Are there DIR benefits when your a dive tart? I dive with anybody, any time from any agency?

Slap me down and set me on fire..


Davie.

[David M]

Come into the light stay away from the dark side

[Scubee]

I agree that there is a lot about the GUE methods which makes sense, to any diver. It is born out of a standard way of diving safely. I completely support the idea of the buddy system, which is the basis of the 'team', I guess. However, the idea of practicing 'team swimming' as part of a course does tickle my sense of humour. How can such a thing be taken seriously?

I find the break in my harness a godsend, and the boots on my twins actually make life easier. Having a crack'n'go DSMB and force fins, an O'three suit work for me, and my buddy. I learned the hard way last weekend why I went for a dual bladder wing and I prefer to decompress on 80%.

[GLOC]

[Cackling Laughter]Masssster, another one has been tempted....[/Cackling Laughter]

Davie, I will try and answer your questions and have embedded the points in your text.

I've ordered DIR book by Jarrod off ebay, what next?
I'm going to be in the med all summer, when I get back end of August / September any intro to DIR lectures on the go? DIR Scottish Divers?

I am not sure that there are many people north of the border who have undertaken GUE courses as I believe that Andrew Bryson has moved down to Abingdon and Gary Moffat has given up. Rick Huggins takes trips oop north so you might chat to him. However, if you can get a small number of like minded people, I am sure that one of the GUE instructors would be more than willing to take a journey to chilly jocko land. I know that Rich Walker went across to Northern Island late last year for a DIR weekend. Failing that, get down to Stoney in Octover for the DIRx gig.

My understanding is I shouldn't use a neoprene suit? True / False, If that's true its the one thing that would cost me, as I actually really like my Othree, it keeps me dry and warm.
You are right, neoprene suits are not recommended because of their variable bouyancy characteristics due to depth. The comment about being warm in a Neo suit just means that you have to put the warmth in layers under a tri-lam suit. I have dived throughout the winter with dives upto 70 mins in 6-8 degree water with a tri-lam, couple of thin thermals and a set of Arctics. You could sell the O3 and get a MTM Protec for approx £750

Are there DIR benefits when your a dive tart? I dive with anybody, any time from any agency?
The benefits are of your making. Having more awareness of what is going on around you (both divers and environment), having a deeper understanding of gas planning whilst at a recreational level. You can dive with whom you like, there isn't anything from GUE which says that you have to dive with GUE trained divers. The 'myth' comes from the fact that when people do more demanding tech or cave dives they want to know what their buddies/team are going to do in the event of the poo hitting the whirlygig: GUE training provides that knowledge.

Hope that provides you with a little information.

[andy b]

Hi Davie

As Gareth has rightly said, the DIR front in Scotland is now sadly lacking. I used to live in Falkirk and dived with my club (thistledivers.com) plus a couple of guys from Edinburgh who have now fallen away unfortunately.

If you're interested in meeting up with somebody who has done some of the training, and having a chat / dive, then perhaps driving down to Capernwray in Lancashire would be the best way forward. A lot of the guys from the Wirral head over there frequently, and I'm sure somebody would be happy to go for a dive.

I'm off to Scapa at the end of July, but hope to spend the following week back home, so will have time to go diving for sure.

Cheers
andy

[Clare Gledhill]

Originally Posted by thehappychappy

My understanding is I shouldn't use a neoprene suit? True / False, If that's true its the one thing that would cost me, as I actually really like my Othree, it keeps me dry and warm.

Hi. Good to hear you are interested - sure we can find a way of getting you some more info/dives.

With regard to the neoprene suit issue - don't think that signing up for fundies means that you have to lose your suit - we recognise that for many a good dry suit is one of the biggest investements that they make in diving and replacing it may not be an option.

Gareth is right that most of the benefits of a neooprene suit can be matched by a membrane - without the buoyancy issues - but if your suit fits properly and allows a good range of movement there is nothing to stop you doing Fundamentals in it.

HTH

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by GLOC

[Cackling Laughter]Masssster, another one has been tempted....[/Cackling Laughter]

You need to work on the lithp.

[chrisch]

The DIR system has much to recommend it and if you are interested go find out more and investigate. It is not perfect, nor is it the only way to dive nor indeed always the best way to dive. Some aspects of the equipment configuration aspects are simply wrong when applied outside of the Floridian cave diving that gave birth to it.

If the excellent GUE training and skills development appeal go do the fundies. Do more if you want. It is not necessary to sign up in blood that you will always follow the true path - that is for the sad people who cannot tell the difference between a hobby and a religion.

Chris

[Buoyant Babe]

I'll have yer twin 10's. Try before I buy

[gwilson]

Originally Posted by Buoyant Babe

I'll have yer twin 10's. Try before I buy

And his slob knob.