where did DIR go

[ethanb]

Ethan, I found this quote interesting. Can you expand on that?

My believe is that a truly DIR diver is a good diver. That diver has passed fairly rigourous training, uses high quality gear, and follows very safe practices. Now, I believe that non-DIR divers can be good divers as well. It isn't an exclusive club.

[/quote]

I'd be happy to expand on it, but please note that you didn't quote me in context. The full sentence that you excerpted said: (emphasis added)

I just wanted to clear that up, because the first part is crucial to my meaning. I will agree that the "truely DIR divers", who have gone through the GUE courses or have picked it up on their own, tend to be very good divers. As I write this, I'm specifically thinking of Gert - I've dove with him (once) and could immediately see that he's an excellent diver (far better than me, I'll admit). A few years ago, the vast majority of people who spoke positively of DIR were such experienced DIR divers, and being "DIR" was probably a reliable (though not sure-fire) indicator of a good diver (though there of course many excellent non-DIR divers).

However, now that DIR is becoming more popular, you've got many "casual DIR divers" (I know that is supposed to be a contradiction) or "beginning" DIR divers. When I wrote this sentence I was referring more to those individuals who have a DIR-like setup and/or talk about DIR all the time, but don't have the incredible technique and skill that you get through years of experience (or natural talent).

I should've known better than to make a statistical statement based on a small set of anecdotal evidence. I've seen very few DIR divers in Wisconsin - with all the inter-shop animosity I haven't had much of a chance to dive with the Deep Blue crowd. Of the DIR folks I've seen, some have "appeared" good, some have appeared so-so, and some pretty lousy. I'm mostly basing this on occasional sightings at Wazee and Milwaukee wrecks (and you, Paul! ;D ). On the other hand, I've dived with quite a few extremely good divers who are not DIR (and I'll specifically mention Tami Thomsen here).

So perhaps I could say that my observation was biased by the company I keep. But in retrospect I think I went a bit overboard because I was annoyed by the whole conversation - all this ridiculous sniping really gets to me. So I think I'll just retract what I said (I'm allowed to do that, right?) and admit that I overgeneralized. Instead I'll just limit it to "there are good and not-so-good divers on both sides - being DIR isn't a reliable indicator of a good diver, and there are many excellent non-DIR divers."

Ethan