The DIR Head to Toe Check

[resting rifleman]

Saw this demonstrated for the first time when clare came down to the pier to assess Gary's team. very impressed. in fact I almost suggested that they pack up diving and join the Coldstream guards as drill pigs

joking aside, It's a good drill, and, fwiw some of the divers who have crossed my decks over the years would have saved themselves a lot of grief (and piss taking) if they had done so
mike.

does this mean I'm being drawn to the dark side?

[grazie42]

We make sure that we physically touch each item as we go thru it...it´s easy to get into a "yes, yes, yes" routine otherwise without actually checking anything...

We also turn on/off backup lights...

One of the last things we do (after s-drill etc) is to call out our own pressure as well as turnpressure as you don´t want to dive "thirds"(or whatever) on 200bar if you only started the dive with an actual 180bar fill...also any other "rules" we have for the dive such as "exit the wreck at 2/3 of BT at the latest" so that everyone starts the dive with the plan fresh in their minds...

All of this was emphasized heavily in my wreck/cave courses so nothing to with DIR, at least not the way we do it...

[big_si]

Originally Posted by Howard Payne

I've got a sticky sweet in my left pocket. You don't want to know what I've got in my right pocket...

Is it
a hole, your hand, and some "hand cream"

[Robin Jones]

Great stuff! Can anyone think of a Mnemonic?- the memory fades as I get older.

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Robin Jones

Great stuff! Can anyone think of a Mnemonic?- the memory fades as I get older.

Its a head to toe, think about what you are wearing and work down

[Clare Gledhill]

I also use this 'top to toe' as a mental list when packing the car to check I have all the kit for a dive.

I try to remember to pack my undersuit as well though

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Clare Gledhill

I also use this 'top to toe' as a mental list when packing the car to check I have all the kit for a dive.

Oo Miss Miss I do this as well

[Dave Crampton]

I saw Claire do this on Saturday and yes it looked comprehensive but left me wondering why it wasn't done prior to enterng the water. The only thing I could see being damaged is turning the light on out of the water perhaps.

Have you ever had to get out of the water because something failed the check? If so why do it in the water? What happens if your bouyancy fails and you sink as soon as you get in the water or your cylinders are empty? Its a little bit late when you could be sinking to the bottom isn't it?

Dave C

[Garf]

Originally Posted by Dave Crampton

I saw Claire do this on Saturday and yes it looked comprehensive but left me wondering why it wasn't done prior to enterng the water. The only thing I could see being damaged is turning the light on out of the water perhaps.

Have you ever had to get out of the water because something failed the check? If so why do it in the water? What happens if your bouyancy fails and you sink as soon as you get in the water or your cylinders are empty? Its a little bit late when you could be sinking to the bottom isn't it?

Dave C

Couple of points. The head to toe check doesn't replace the common sense we use when putting out kit together, and the other DIR procedures, such as ALWAYS analysing the gas and checking the pressure etc. Secondly, we do it in the water when inland etc, but we usually do it on the boat when ocean diving. Turning on the HID for a few minutes on the boat is no big drama. There are some elements however, that need to be checked in the water, such as "do your regs breathe underwater". This is quite hard to do on the boat

[rossc]

little orange key ring that you get when you pay up for the day at vobster quarry ...... CHECK!