Continuous Webbed Harness

[Omicron]

I think this situation highlights the difference in between true DIR (as in GUE trained) diving and the Hogarthian philosophy that many of us use.  While DIR is very strict in it's choice of configuration and technique, the Hogarthian philosophy is more of what most of use - we minimize the gear we need to carry and customize the gear we do carry and use to the situation that we are diving in.

When cave diving, I am very strict about how my gear is and how I wear it.  If I don't need it, I don't take it.  If I need it, I carry a backup (or two).  When diving other environments, my configuration stays similar - backplate, backup lights, two first stages, long hose, etc, etc.  But I may not carry everything I need in a cave, and I do configure things differently.  I don't need line arrows and multiple safety reels when doing open water dives.

I was just re-reading "Blueprint For Survival" by Sheck Exley, describing the fundamental rules of save cave diving and came across this quote in the foreword:

"These procedures have been the author's "blueprint for survival" for an unprecedented 2000 cave dives, and they'll work for you too.  However, please keep in mind that the procedures described herein are merely the basics, and are applicable only to cave diving in Florida:  cave diving conditions in other states can vary considerably and may require different procedures".

It's a good point to keep in mind.