The DIR crowd wants the recreational dive world to "experience" why DIR style diving is more fun, more comfortable, provides more adventure, is safer, and why those who adopt it believe in it so completely.
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Introduction(s) to Doing It Right ( DIR ) style diving.
Many divers have heard about this revolution in dive behavior, gear configuration and adventure potential. DIR divers are known to be the most streamlined. They wear the cleanest, most hydrodynamic gear, it is always configured just like all other DIR divers, and they always dive with a DIR buddy. They are masters of efficiency, moving effortlessly through the water, and are known for buoyancy skills which take underwater control to a new level. They practice strict buddy rules, and enjoy the best safety and exploration records in diving. Recreational divers are now finding DIR actually increases the "fun" potential of normal recreational dives, and this is creating a new "movement" in the Internet dive communities. While many have heard, the ability to actually experience DIR diving can be difficult if you do not live or dive in an area with a DIR facility. In response to this, several of the most well known DIR divers are making themselves available to dive with recreational or advanced divers. The dive sites are Fort Lauderdale shipwrecks, Palm Beach reefs, and North Florida caverns and caves. The DIR Diver list includes Jarrod Jablonski ( head of Global Underwater Explorers and World Record Holder in deep cave penetrations), George Irvine, Robert Carmichael, Dan Volker, Bill Mee, and several other well known WKPP divers.
The idea is, forget argueing rhetoric, this is about actually "Doing". You pick the type of dive you like at one of these world class dive destinations, you use DIR demo gear, you get configured DIR style, you get the basic DIR mindset explained to you in person, and then you get to try this on some really great dive sites, with some well known DIR divers accompanying you. The DIR dive experience is NOT only for tech divers. There will be far more planned dives in 50 to 130 feet of water than anything beyond this. |
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The DIR crowd wants the recreational dive world to "experience" why DIR style diving is more fun, more comfortable, provides more adventure, is safer, and why those who adopt it believe in it so completely. |
In the DIR "experience", you wear the most streamlined dive gear you have ever worn.
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You learn how easy it is to buddy breath with the 7 foot long hose primary, and what it means to be a DIR buddy. |
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Long time technical diver and DIR antagonist Michael H. Kane (MHK) has been diving DIR over a S. Florida vacation weekend with one of DIR's staunchest advocates, WKPP Director George Irvine. Previous Internet arguments had these two poised at each other's throats on many occaisions, but after the DIR dive weekend, MHK is "in the process" of adopting DIR gear, behavior and dive planning. |
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| Posing in the photo with DIR advocate Dan Volker, MHK practices the DIR air share technique. In DIR, the primary regulator is on a 5 to 7 foot long hose, and it is the one donated in case of an Out of Air or Low on Air emergency. Each diver wears their backup regulator on a bungie cord which hangs around the neck, positioning the 2nd stage backup reg comfortably right under the chin---where it is instantly available. | |||
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Some DIR ideas need to be explained with the Air Share technique. In DIR, if your buddy runs out of air, its as much your fault as it is his, for not being aware of his situation at all times. |
Eye contact is expected every 20 to 30 seconds, and communication is often initiated by flashing a powerful beam of light criss crossed in front of the buddies field of view. This is facilitated by the standard canister light worn by most WKPP divers, with the light held on top of the left wrist by a Goodman Handle. |
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Choice of a buddy is among the DIR diver's most important "gear choices", every bit as important as what regulator you choose, or whether you picked a tank with 1500 psi in it or one with 3000. If a DIR diver can't find a diver to buddy with who comes close to conforming to DIR guidelines, the smart choice is not to dive. How to actually "pick" a DIR dive buddy is a topic for another day. To find out about diving DIR first hand, there are several hotels that have agreed to help in this "public education gesture" with special lowered rates. In Fort Lauderdale the Pierpoint Resort will offer these divers 20% off normal room nights, for rates between $60 and $100 depending on the type of room desired. Similar deals are available in Palm Beach and in North Florida, and at each of these destinations, any non-diving family members will have a great many attractions not common to typical dive resorts. Dive shops which are Halcyon dealerships are included in the program and provided with special incentives to attend these dives.
Boat choices for ocean bound divers are dependent on whether you want shipwreck or reef dives, but prices will run between $50 and $65 dollars for a 2 tank dive. Halcyon is the brand most known for its DIR style gear, and DEMO gear will be available in each location for use. Those who want actual instruction in DIR or a certification in the DIR training agency, Global Underwater Explorers ( www.gue.com) , have this available to them as long as they call ahead and reserve classroom space. |
To view our new calendar of DIR Experience Dives, which are already planned, please visit the calendar.
If you would like to attend an upcoming DIR dive trip, e-mail us to pick a date for your trip. Please use dan@sfdj.com and place "DIR Trip" in the subject line.
