DIR - WHY?

[thehappychappy]

Its weird this about interpretation of DIR.

I am not DIR, I have never claimed to be although I am very curious.

One time I remember doing a shore dive with Hickdive (who is also not DIR, although we both have backplate, wing, long hose, twinsets and at the time black drysuits, Id have know the divers where not DIR as my suit had front pockets and Hickdive has a break in his harness, that and we just pulled up and didnt follow any formal procedures) at a popular Scottish Shore dive training site and as we walked past a group of other divers one of them pointed to us and said "those are DIR divers" I just looked at Steve and laughed.


Pretty sure from the tone of voice it was meant derogatory, its weird the image folk have.

All they would have to do is see us in the water and realise I can only aspire to be DIR.

I think what makes people DIR is the thought process, logical approach to diving and the uniform standards. Everybody is human* and can therefore make mistakes.




*possibly not some of my ex's

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by steveharriss

your team and look really cool in your twinset, two stage bottles, argon suit inflation, hood, and assorted paraphernalia on a recreational dive where you cannot exceed 60 minutes underwater with a depth to seabed of 27.3m.

Originally Posted by Garf

so what makes you think they were DIR?

Originally Posted by Depth-junkie

Because they had 5 bottles hanging off em to do a 27m dive LOL

Gareth

Wow they must be good because they found another 3 stage bottles from somewhere

Don't suppose they could have been doing a course or practicing for one

Still wouldn't want to spoil a good story now would we

[Steve S]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

Garf & Jason .... I agree with what you have said about there being really good quality training available from a number of sources other than GUE....I don't think anyone would dispute that.

I think we would also all agree that the quality of instruction available is much more variable than with GUE, though.

For me, one thing that even the best of the non-DIR Instructors don't have, is a team based system (inc. kit, procedure & protocols) to train to and grow the diver systemically.

They tend to work with what the student arrives with ..... e.g. inverts, bungee wings etc. [1]

It is a different approach to DIR and GUE where you get trained in the "system" and it's that which provides the "Shake hands, go diving" ability regardless of which instructor trained you, which the other approaches can't.

Mal

[1] I recognise some see that as a strength .... but I don't .

Of course you don't see that as a strength because you are sold on the system and fortunate enough to easily meet all it's requirements. I have more faith in an instructor who can take a student 'in whatever kit they turn up in' and build them into a safe and competent diver, albeit sub-optimal in your view than an instructor who teaches from a fixed viewpoint.

I really do get why it is such a good system for those who want it, but IMO it's not necessary to keep pointing out how superior it is to other diving agencies and to other divers configurations.

Originally Posted by thehappychappy

Its weird this about interpretation of DIR.

I am not DIR, I have never claimed to be although I am very curious.

One time I remember doing a shore dive with Hickdive (who is also not DIR, although we both have backplate, wing, long hose, twinsets and at the time black drysuits, Id have know the divers where not DIR as my suit had front pockets and Hickdive has a break in his harness, that and we just pulled up and didnt follow any formal procedures) at a popular Scottish Shore dive training site and as we walked past a group of other divers one of them pointed to us and said "those are DIR divers" I just looked at Steve and laughed.


Pretty sure from the tone of voice it was meant derogatory, its weird the image folk have.

All they would have to do is see us in the water and realise I can only aspire to be DIR.

I think what makes people DIR is the thought process, logical approach to diving and the uniform standards. Everybody is human* and can therefore make mistakes.




*possibly not some of my ex's

It's not that many years ago that the derogatory snickering comments came from some DIR wannabes on forums and boats that I frequented.

Anyway this is all a moot point because unless things have changed nobody is DIR irrespective of how high up the ladder they are, they are only 'aspiring to be DIR'...... IIRC some Floridian cave guy said that.

Safe diving however you do it.
Steve

[Scubee]

Originally Posted by steveharriss

twinset, two stage bottles, argon suit inflation, .

Originally Posted by Depth-junkie

Because they had 5 bottles hanging off em to do a

Originally Posted by Fiona

Wow they must be good because they found another 3 stage bottles from somewhere

Am I missing something?

I can count 5 bottles there.

[Andy the Coastie]

Originally Posted by Steve S

I really do get why it is such a good system for those who want it, but IMO it's not necessary to keep pointing out how superior it is to other diving agencies and to other divers configurations.


Safe diving however you do it.
Steve

This is one of you best quotes ever Steve.

I think this is what pi$$'s off a LOT of people,,,,,, where was DIR 5,10 or 20 years ago , when the BEST dive system was a hard boat with a 15 & pony ( if you were rich enough or could warrant spending money on one ) .

A dive system that dictates to who can't join because they are a smoker is in my mind or you have to all have the same kit OR even branded name equipment ,,,,, is no different to being in some essex chav gang . ( ya not joining my gang as you haven't got NIKE trainers ).

Well , my dive system is the best , coz i'm still alive .

About time this thread was closed ,,,, as been done to death .....

[Ahmed Adly]

Originally Posted by Steve S

It's not that many years ago that the derogatory snickering comments came from some DIR wannabes on forums and boats that I frequented.

The problem is that they (those who generally make derogatory statements)think they are justified due to their higher status and therefore not accountable for really hurting anyone's feelings.......

My son will be getting his PADI Junior Open Water this year he is fantastic under the water! Although I do DIRish tech diving, I am sure my son would appreiciate PADI's approach to recreational diving.

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Andy the Coastie

About time this thread was closed ,,,, as been done to death .....

Stay out of it then.

[steveharriss]

So Garf et al, if I cannot recognise a DIR diver from his kit configuration and buoyancy and finning techniques what would have been the clincher to identify these divers correctly?

I only ask as you seem so sure they weren't DIR from my description.

[thehappychappy]

Originally Posted by Ahmed Adly

My son will be getting his PADI Junior Open Water this year he is fantastic under the water! Although I do DIRish tech diving, I am sure my son would appreiciate PADI's approach to recreational diving.

Again I agree, PADI have some things right, get people in the water and get them diving! You cant beat it, the marketing power and global recognition for bringing new divers too us.

Once we have them in the water its up to us to educate them and open their eyes to all the available options, should they choose to stay in shallow open water conditions and then that's their own choice and we should let them do it, there is nothing wrong with it. Everybody has different principles, beliefs and standards they should also make up their own minds about what is right for them.



This is one of the reasons I am not only in April doing my GUE-F I am also two days later then starting a PADI IDC with the IE the day before my birthday on May 5th.

So I really do wish May the 4th be with me.

I will give my best shot to both, hopefully I will fair well enough, no matter what I will learn a lot about myself over the coming six weeks.

Both tools to use when appropriate.

Strangely I am worrying more about doing an entry level course with GUE than I am about doing an Instructor level exam with PADI.

[Andy the Coastie]

Originally Posted by Fiona

Stay out of it then.

Oh ,,,,,, silly me ,,, forgot you were a MOD .. what RIGHT have you got to tell me what to do ........


FOR YOUR INFORMATION. i was enjoying the excellent write up by AL , which he was explaining lots of things to settle the ANTI HATE camp with divers v's DIR divers...... and his calm approach to the eliteism that some thing they have.

Then I got to Steve's post ( you know one of the REAL MOD's ) , and I could also see his point .


You need to step down off your box ,,, if you are a DIR divers , coz you comments don't do anything for the cause.


(( Back to reading Claires , Interesting write up on fin weight / proplusion ))