where did DIR go

[jasondbaker]

Paul, I think you're close but not exactly on target. I believe that:

-- DIR is the most fully documented system of technical diving
-- DIR priciples may be easily applied to recreational diving
-- The proponents of DIR were the first to really take advantage of training (some call it promotion) via the internet

I remember how I stumbled onto DIR a couple years ago. I was struggling with a basic gear problem. My octo kept coming out of the octo holder during dives. It was driving me nuts. Everytime I went into a dive shop they just recommended I try a different holder. Then one day I came across a posting on scubaboard describing the bungee backup. It worked perfectly. Since I was using the bungee backup I decided to change the hose lengths. Then the conversion process snowballed. I got rid of the console and retractor. I switched to a backplate. All of the little gear issues I had went away.

DIR provided a very simple, well documented set of rules to follow. I didn't have to become a trimix diver to learn and apply these rules. I didn't have to visit half-a-dozen dive shops to pick up this knowledge. Almost everything was available online or via a book. The next step is to take the fundamentals training from GUE to really get squared away.

I believe there are probably bad DIR divers just like there are probably bad cave divers. I think anyone willing to pursue this type of training has a greater potential to become a good diver.