NON-DIR Divers - I want to talk with you!

[J.A.S]

Interesting posts.... didn't read all but since it's active again...

When i first started diving, i liked the DIR approach to diving, swore by it and became like most talked about until i came to DMX...

DMX started out as diving with the same diving principal since it was started by people within that same realm of mind. Then it began expanded towards different tech agencies, but then it broadened to a mindset I am now becoming more comfortable in identifying with... this is the term UTD... Unified Team Diver.....

this term put things into perspective ..... and it's also what separates terminology to a diving principality, which what DIR is...... Some people lost their way with the whole DIR thing... not realizing that DIR is, for the most part, is a Technical diving term, not meant to hit the Rec world as hard at it has been hit the last 2 years...... specifically in the boards.

I thought DMX did great with this term UTD. I am not a technical diver (yet), but i like the teachings/principals behind it (the DIR method). Diving, in general, is team (buddy) sport, and uniformity which includes, dive planning and gear... brings a stronger awareness , enjoyment, and most importantly safety to my diving .... we learn dependence and independence at the same time.

It's interesting what forums do to some of us... we become different people (or the real us) because no one can track us or say we'll never meet...

so plain and simple .... use the forum as a networking learning tool, if something doesn't seem right .. that's what mods are for... correct and report without fear..

Although i'm UTD, i like to hear stories, see videos, here about the latest gadgets (whether i buy or not) and sure I we may all have our moments of stupid choices of words…. It’s a small community… small enough to correct and advice without getting backlash… so ….. so far I’m enjoying the DMX experience, even when I’m just looking from the outside.

[Bassman]

I dive A Steel OMS Back plate with one release buckle on the left shoulder.
I have a 65 lb, non bungied OMS wing and I don't dive "Doubles"
I have a 7 foot Hose for my Primay (Actually secondary) regulator.
And I wear my Octo as a necklace.
I dive Scubapro Twin Jet "Split Fins".
I would also like to Buy a pair of the new Hollis F-1 fins.
I have a Blue Fin Keeper and a few other colors on my Rig.
And the deepest depth I've personally dove to was 107 feet.
So, clearly, I am not a DIR or UTD diver.

But DIR/UTD has introduced several good things to the dive community.

It's the "DIR" Snob attitude that people don't like.
and Honestly, I have never met a "DIR Snob"
Lynne, (LCF) is the closest to what I would considder to be a DIR
AKA UTD diver. And she may toss a few jokes about split fins.
(And for the record, I saw her dive in split fins once)
She is the farthest thing from being a Snob or accusing people of being a "Stroke" She is just the opposite!
If I lived up in the North end of the Sound, I would dive more often with her and learn more things, like finning techniques.

All certified divers have the choice of who we dive and don't dive with. UTD or DIR divers have the same choice. a DIR diver may not dive to the same depths or profile when they are diving with a Non DIR diver. and that's okay.
I have actually seen a situation where a group of dive buddies chose to exspand thier dive education to include the exspensive GUE fundies class.
When one of those buddies chose not too, he felt a sort of banashment
when he wanted to just have fun underwater and goof around like all of them used to, the others just stayed there demonstrating there near perfect Trim with there hands folded on front of them. Looking at him like "What are you doing?" Yes , some feelings were hurt.

So bottom Line is...
Come to the South Puget Sound area (Tacoma) And Dive with me and our friendly group here!


Keith.

[Underwater Ninja]

If we did that we'd have to kill you...


Okay, here it is:

DIR - Doing It Right, a concept brought about by GUE (yeah, another acronym

GUE - Global Underwater Explorers

HOG - Hogarthian, a gear set up/philosophy made popular by Bill "Hogarthian" Main, a N. Florida cave diver

CCR - Closed Circuit Rebreather

PADI - Professional Association of Dive Instructors

DMX - Dive Matrix (you're here )

UTD - United Team Diving


I believe those are all for this particular thread. I'm sure you'll come across many more the more you visit us.

OMG LOL!!!! I think I was on page 4 of all the comments before I came across this. I thought "DIR" referred to recreational divers and the DMX board considered itself Tech centric.

That's funny.

As far as this board, well, you can't please everyone all the time. I run a forum for our local dive club and I just let it be what it's going to be. Let's face it, you can call something a "X-Type" of SCUBA discussion but the talk is going to go to the majority of the experience or the most vocal people.

The same holds true in the water.

IMHO (BTW - LOVE DMX!!!)

[drbill]

Well, for one stop referring to DIR. That label really gets my dander up. I'm fine with GUE, Unified Team Diving and all the other labels but to suggest that someone is diving right because they follow the DIR rules is an affront to those of us whose diving is with a completely different purpose and don't feel the DIR gear and techniques (at least some of them) are relevant to our style of diving. I have disliked "DIR" since I first heard it... it immediately sets up an adversarial attitude. There are many different types of diving and many different reasons for going under... not all of them benefit from the full DIR code (although all of them would benefit to a degree from aspects of it).

Terrified of Ken? He's just a pussycat... with a strong (and very interesting) personality and an immense love for what he is doing underwater.

[StreetDoctor]

Well, for one stop referring to DIR. That label really gets my dander up. I'm fine with GUE, Unified Team Diving and all the other labels but to suggest that someone is diving right because they follow the DIR rules is an affront to those of us whose diving is with a completely different purpose and don't feel the DIR gear and techniques (at least some of them) are relevant to our style of diving. I have disliked "DIR" since I first heard it... it immediately sets up an adversarial attitude. There are many different types of diving and many different reasons for going under... not all of them benefit from the full DIR code (although all of them would benefit to a degree from aspects of it).

Terrified of Ken? He's just a pussycat... with a strong (and very interesting) personality and an immense love for what he is doing underwater.

I get a kick out of people that get offended by a phrase they hear on the internet... Does DIR really bother you THAT bad? It's not that serious... Remember it's about diving and having fun.

Personally I don't care what you call it as long as you know what it is. There are a lot of people (especially on the internet) that call themselves DIR and have never taken any kind of formal class. Better yet, they simply read about it on the internet, buy some gear marketed as DIR and decide to represent and sometimes clearly have no clue what they're talking about. I can say I've dipped into this territory once or twice in the past with gear purchases but luckily I haven't wasted anywhere near the amount of money on stupid gear that some people have. Because of this I think it's a much better idea to use GUE diver, team diver, etc.

-Nick
Just my $0.02 no reason to get worked up over. I promise I won't call you a stroke

[KMD]

Well, for one stop referring to DIR. That label really gets my dander up. I'm fine with GUE, Unified Team Diving and all the other labels but to suggest that someone is diving right because they follow the DIR rules is an affront to those of us whose diving is with a completely different purpose and don't feel the DIR gear and techniques (at least some of them) are relevant to our style of diving. I have disliked "DIR" since I first heard it... it immediately sets up an adversarial attitude. There are many different types of diving and many different reasons for going under... not all of them benefit from the full DIR code (although all of them would benefit to a degree from aspects of it).

Lord! Lets not devolve back into this tired old arguement again. The whole "Wah! Wah! someone was mean to me ten years ago in the parking lot" arguement has been rehashed to death. Time to move on dude.

People who are out actively diving a lot rarely have time for these discussions nor care what others do. They are there for the diving.

[cmalinowski]

The whole "Wah! Wah! someone was mean to me ten years ago in the parking lot" arguement has been rehashed to death. Time to move on dude.

lol

[oldogre]

As a "beginner" diver, my aim is to improve my skills to enjoy diving even more. I am too
old to get my kicks from "serious" dives (even if the skills were there), but I do try to work on buoyancy when task loaded, & not stirring up the bottom. But my real point is that I thoroughly enjoy reading your posts, both serious & fun, and try to pick up good ideas & tips.

[LeadSled]

As a "beginner" diver, my aim is to improve my skills to enjoy diving even more. I am too
old to get my kicks from "serious" dives (even if the skills were there), but I do try to work on buoyancy when task loaded, & not stirring up the bottom. But my real point is that I thoroughly enjoy reading your posts, both serious & fun, and try to pick up good ideas & tips.

That about sums 'er up for me.

[mdb]

Ken:

You have a very good forum with lots of good info. DMX does seem confined to a small club of regular posters who call themselves tech/dir/udt/ etc.

The dozen or so regulars seem to go back and forth with their personal adventures and all their drills/skills and all that. This is, most likely, not
very appealing to a new diver.

DMX has been online for quite awhile and has not broken into the "mainstream"; it seems just a club for some regulars.

There is good information here. I monitor boards worldwide and this in one of the more friendly and well moderated.

I do not think it will get much beyond the small but very vocal West Coast tech crowd unless new forums, questions, new divers, are encouraged and willing to participate.

[Underwater Ninja]

Ken:

You have a very good forum with lots of good info. DMX does seem confined to a small club of regular posters who call themselves tech/dir/udt/ etc.

The dozen or so regulars seem to go back and forth with their personal adventures and all their drills/skills and all that. This is, most likely, not
very appealing to a new diver.

I am not a "tech/dir/udt/ etc" diver and I enjoy these boards. I run a small club forum and I know the craziness of forum life but any board (other than Scuba.com) is going to be somewhat confined to it's geographic point of origin. I just like talking about diving and any time I can get another opinion or hear about someone else's adventures that are so far from my 'normal'...well, I'm logging in for that

Keep up the good work, keep up the good diving, and I'm the one that replied to this sticky forum after so long so sorry for mucking up the bottom with all this "DIR" stuff. I still don't get all the hype This is right up there with the PADI vs SSI vs NAUI OW certification. As long as you peak someone's interest in the water - WHO CARES?!?!

~Lewis

[drbill]

The argument is not dead when the arrogant behavior continues.

DIR is simply NOT appropriate for certain types of diving, so don't call it DIR. The techniques and skills are great for many other types of diving though... I certainly grant the practitioners that. After nearly 50 years of diving, I don't see it for all types so it can't be DIR for them.

[steve stokes]

This will get you started.
http://wrolf.net/scuba_slang.html#RIB

Tobin

Just great,Tobin.
Just when I think I have a handle on dive lingo....You go and show me I have a whole new language to learn.:-)