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From: "Sean T. Stevenson" <ststev@un*.co*>
To: "Aquanaut Mail" <techdiver@aquanaut.com>, "bdi@wh*.ne*" <bdi@wh*.ne*>
Date: Mon, 08 Nov 1999 16:53:01 -0800
Subject: Re: Icy water diving and SPG placement
The SPG placement in DIR is arrived at simply by trying to put all of
your instrumentation in the position of maximum function.  Ideally, for
the diver this means all instruments are on the arms, except the SPG
because of the HP hose.  The next best location for this is in a
position that is easily accessable, readable at a glance, low profile,
low entanglement hazard, easily readable by your buddies, minimizes
vibration of the hose or rotation of the HP stem, and that does not
comprimize either the function or safety of any other gear ---> the
hip.

-Sean


On Mon, 08 Nov 1999 21:05:00 +1100, bdi@wh*.ne* wrote:

>At 11:23  8/11/99 , Michael J. Black wrote:
>>My preference is to not clip the SPG to my left hip or
>>chest D-rings.  I prefer to tuck the SPG on a long
>>hose
>>into my butt crack.  That's right, between my legs, in
>>the butt crack, which cradles the thing nicely, and I
>>know where it is at all times by feel.  I often have
>>to reach for the SPG (which is mounted to a console, that
>>has a compass, knife, scissors, computer, slate, depth
>>gauge, pencil) mainly to read my compass.  My usual
>>diving is in freshwater lakes in Wisconsin, with poor
>>visibility (yesterday vis was 3 feet in Lake Mendota,
>>Madison, WI) and I rely on my compass for underwater
>>navigation on a regular basis.
>
>The original question was about the placement of the SPG 
>in a system called DIR. The enquirer wanted to know, within 
>that system, where other DIR divers clipped their SPG.
>
>There is no console in DIR, Michael, for the simple reason 
>that consoles drag, scrape and get in the way - even when 
>they are clipped off. They trap line. And they place an untoward 
>strain on the hp hose. Further, they are impossible to mount 
>in a streamlined fashion so that information can be read at
>a glance without having to unclip and/or handle them first.
>
>As you have discovered, you have to go to ridiculous extremes 
>just to carry the thing in an out of the way place. In your case,
>by keeping it as far from its intended place of use as you could
>think of - and on a long hp hose to boot! This is the height 
>of inconvenience and inefficiency. Esp. considering your compass 
>(which you say you use regularly) is attached to it. Michael, 
>that's like keeping the speedometer in the trunk, no?
>
>The DIR system on the other hand, enables the SPG to be read 
>at a glance and keeps the diver tight, tucked in and stream-
>lined -  which is a distinct benefit when moving through the
>water, whether swimming, in current or scootering, or negotiating 
>tight spots, whether in caves or wrecks.
>
>Those other things you have attached to your console would be 
>more manageable and accessible if you put the depth gauge
>(and the computer if you must) on your wrist, the cutters on 
>your belt, wrist mount the compass (on a piece of bungy if you 
>like to swim with it held out in front of you) or put it with
>the other stuff in your pocket.
>
>>Looking at some of the other postings on icy water
>>diving, it appears that more than one system works for
>>different people.
>
>No-one has ever been able to explain anything other 
>than DIR as a 'system'. So as far as diving is concerned,
>there is only one 'system'. And what you're diving is a mess.
>
>>   And isn't that what diving is
>>about, using what works best for you.
>
>Michael, you have yet to discover what works best for you.
>You've hung nine separate items (that's 9 - count 'em!) off 
>a long hp hose to create one of the all time great gear fuck-ups. 
>And by way of proof, look at the assinine way you have to dive
>it - with the whole shebang sitting in the crack of your ass!
>
>rgrds billyw
>
>>   One final opinion,
>>regarding dry gloves.  I have used the Viking cuff
>>ring system for years, with over 200 dives using the
>>5-finger latex gloves.  The times I have had a
>>substan-
>>tial leak are so few, that I strongly recommend it to
>>others.  Viking does not pay me to say this.  Safe
>>diving, everyone.
>
>--
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>


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