DIR - WHY?

[JamieG]

Just a genuine question as I'm wondering what is it about DIR that attracted you to the system and what is it that made you stay with it?

When I stopped diving a few years back DIR was still pretty much a 'fringe' thing but now I've returned I notice its very popular and pretty mainstream.

I like the non clutter approach and I'm glad I am starting from scratch kit wise (I used to have some right old tat) Don't think the DIR thing is me but I certianly like some of ideas (From what I have read - not seen a DIR diver in the flesh) Like Jet fins, wings and fitness.

Like I say what is it that makes you a DIR diver?

[deepestandy]

Originally Posted by JamieG

Like I say what is it that makes you a DIR diver?

A course... Just because someone is wearing jets, sporting Halcyon badges and wielding a canister light sabre doesn't make them DIR/GUE.

Andy

[Howard Payne]

For me its the fact that now I have two GUE Tech cards in my wallet I am properly qualified to sell any old piece of tat I like on Ebay and put "DIR" in the title. This iimediately adds kudos and guarantees I get a much better price. I currently have a George Forman "Lean Mean Grilling Machine" that was an unwanted present from Christmas which was £39.99 new.

It will shortly be getting a coat of matt black spray paint and be going on Ebay as the "DIR George Forman Grill as used by George Irvine himself" and should fetch about £55 with a tail wind.

[Mark Chase]

Standards for equipment

Standards for dive planning

Standards for diving

and

Standards for team works and safety drills


In theory you know exactly what your getting when you dive with a Tec1 level DIR diver. So you can safely dive with any one anywhere in the world.

This is what sets them apart from the rest and why I admire them so much.

It just such a pitty I cant join with my CCR

If I could I would.

ATB

Mark

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by Howard Payne

For me its the fact that now I have two GUE Tech cards in my wallet I am properly qualified to sell any old piece of tat I like on Ebay and put "DIR" in the title. This iimediately adds kudos and guarantees I get a much better price. I currently have a George Forman "Lean Mean Grilling Machine" that was an unwanted present from Christmas which was £39.99 new.

It will shortly be getting a coat of matt black spray paint and be going on Ebay as the "DIR George Forman Grill as used by George Irvine himself" and should fetch about £55 with a tail wind.

Of course moral standards are not compulsory

ATB

Mark

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by Howard Payne

It will shortly be getting a coat of matt black spray paint and be going on Ebay as the "DIR George Forman Grill as used by George Irvine himself" and should fetch about £55 with a tail wind.

Is that, like, Doing It Rare?

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by JamieG

....
When I stopped diving a few years back DIR was still pretty much a 'fringe' thing but now I've returned I notice its very popular and pretty mainstream.
.....

I think that is a wrong impression. DIR is still very much a fringe thing in my experience. Of the hundreds of thousands of UK divers not many are DIR and if you broaden it to Europe the proportion is even smaller.

What is more accepted is the long hosed configuration on twins and to some extent in recreational setups. That is from an Hogarthian background not DIR.

I would estimate much less than 1% of UK divers to be DIR and less than 0.01% of Europeans.

Interest in DIR is much higher amongst technical divers, but that is hardly a big group in itself.

Chris

[Scubee]

Originally Posted by chrisch

Interest in DIR is much higher amongst technical divers, but that is hardly a big group in itself.

Chris

They don't half make a big noise for a small group though!

[purple vonny]

Why? I suppose because it is deemed to be safer than none-DIR.

But my theory is simply that black is slimming.

[MartyC]

What Mr Chase said, I have yet to meet a DIR diver that I didn't like, that said I haven't met the morally reprehensible Howard yet
For me, standard system, uncluttered configuration, great skills that are thoroughly and well taught and the fact that you can go anywhere in the world and dive with DIR divers and know exactly what you get and how they are going to dive.
It's not everyones bag, I'm sure the detractors will be along in their droves (sigh) in a minute, but hey they're entitled to their opinions