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The weighting aspect of DIR is one area that's not crystal clear to me. If one is diving a drysuit, is it okay to have NO droppable weights? For example,in my drysuit, using SS backplate, double LP 80's, canister light, and 3-lb ankleweights, I may not need a weightbelt of any type. I can add a v-weight if needed or p-weight for single tank. Am I now DIR in this no-belt, no-pockets, no-drop config? If you're guessing that I'd prefer no-drop to the hated weightbelt, you'd be right... PS I'm not a fattie; I don't need all that much weight. I read George's answer carefully, but what exactly is a normal rig in the sentence below? Thanks. Cam >Weighting can be added in backplates , wedges etc if a drysuit is used >and it still balances, but with a normal rig, the weight needs to be >removeable and separate from the harness completely, other than the >cannister light , which also must be removeable and unblocked. >From: <kirvine@sa*.ne*> >Reply-To: kirvine@sa*.ne* >To: Cam Banks <cam_banks@ho*.co*> >CC: techdiver@aquanaut.com >Subject: Re: DIR bits & pieces >Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 14:49:51 -0500 > >Compass on one arm, timer on the other. I put the timer on the right >since that arm is on the scooter and I need to see the depth all of the >time as part of the cave navigation and data recording process. I hold >the light on the compass every once in a while so it glows and I can see >it if I want to. > >I leave it the same for ocean to be consistant, even though the compass >is the more important tool there, and I leave everything the same >whether I am swimming or scootering for the same reason. Nothing ever >needs to change and that makes my whole game safer. > >No , "integrated" quick release weight schemes are NOT DIR. Anything >that convolutes or compromises the obvious system is not DIR. Anything >that forces modification after modification to use standard gear is not >DIR. I believe the weight thing from Halcyon is for Police and Fire >rescue units that are kept in the trunk of a car with a 30 cu bottle and >find their origin in the Brownies belt for the floating compressor. Down >here the cops are constantly fishing people out of their cars in the >canals that run along most of the roads which were dug to get material >to build the roads up so they do not flood with the tropical rains. They >grab this thing, throw it on over their clothes and jump in . In fact , >one such dive finished off one of my buddies from ever diving again >after he went in for a rescue and jumped right onto an alligator. He did >not get hurt, but he quit diving altogether. > >Weighting can be added in backplates , wedges etc if a drysuit is used >and it still balances, but with a normal rig, the weight needs to be >removeable and separate from the harness completely, other than the >cannister light , which also must be removeable and unblocked. > >A weightbelt is a beautiful thing and has always been a key element in >how the game is played. For harness with a dryusuit, you put it on under >the harness and it takes two steps to remove ( yet will not fall off by >itself since the harness catches it), but then it is generaly not a dire >need to ditch it since you have both a bc and a drysuit and the drysuit, >if it is a shell with insulation, maintains is buoyancy characteristics, >and if it is a wetsuit, you put it on over the harness so you can lose >it fast, just like always. For the fat boys ther are suspenders for >drysuit weights, but then the obvious solution there is to double or >triple up the steel backplates and make a harness just for diving the >shell shit with thick insulation, like we do for our decompressoin rigs >which are nothing more than weighted backplates with with harnesses >identical to our regular rigs to which we attach stages ( the back tanks >or rebreather have been removed). They are not "integrated", they are >for the drysuit only and compensate for the 20 or more pounds of lift >generated by the drysuit insulation under a shell at any depth just as >the 104's and cansiter light do . > >Any other arrangement is NOT DIR. If you want a "transpac" type thing or >other "tec" bc, or whatever, go get one, but don't turn a great system >into a mess. > >The beauty of a harness is tht the harness works for all applications >interchangeably without modification or any change - if you goober it >up, you might as well buy a "tech" bc or "transpac" type bc. > > >Cam Banks wrote: > > > > So, the DIR spot for my compass is on my arm? I can barely get my > > computer/bottom timer strap over my drysuit above the glove. Is it okay >to > > wear the compass on the other arm? Most days in Monterey, I need the > > compass, unfortunately. > > > > Weights: why are the Halcyon ACB pockets not-DIR? (I hate >non-integrated > > weights) > > > > Solo Diving: if you're diving solo, non-DIR by definition I know, what > > changes should be made? Besides getting a buddy. Thanks. > > > > Cam > > > > ______________________________________________________ > > Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com > > -- > > Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. > > Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'. > >-- >Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. >Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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