Let me take a moment to clarify here. What I was saying has already been
blown out of shape in several different directions.
Claudia was raising a very valid point of discussion, that I think would be
well discussed here. If not here, then where?

The basic issue is that people buy all the neato gear, DIR down to the
o-ring on the SPG bolt snap, and are not only *not* competent divers, but
mistakenly think the gear makes the slightest difference. Its what is
between your ears that makes you DIR or not. Trout, George, feel free to
light me up any time. (I like the old George better, no bullshit) One of my
favorite dive buddy's dive an Atpak with independent doubles. He can dive
with me anytime, anywhere, and I know if it gets deep, he will be there to
cover my ass.

Definitions in context to *my* thinking and vulgar vocabulary:

1) The Problem, or, the "Cheesedick Syndrome". Cheesedick is an old term, I
first heard from a military man. It refers to the FNG, fresh out of boot,
who has some training, the uniform (usually very new), and the weapons to go
to war. What he doesn't have is the *experience* to make those decisions
that only allow microseconds for decision making. The term Cheesedick refers
to an individual who has all the stuff, the desire, the ability, but not the
experience, but, perhaps is a little big for his britches, or simply has no
respect for his elders, or is flat arrogant. Such people can be seen as
everything from promising and amusing, to downright dangerous and deadly.
Probably every diver reading this could have been called, accurately, a
Cheesedick at some point in their education process.

2) The term "Technical Diving" is one that has been defined and re-defined
into oblivion. To me, Technical diving isn't simple Nitrox, doubles or a
single stage and a little (<20 minutes or so total) deco time. Technical
diving is the type of diving where your life is hanging on your knowledge,
skill, and problem solving ability. The type of diving where, if you fuck
up, or have a problem with your equipment, you either fix it, deal with it,
or you die. The best thing that can happen is a chamber ride. The worst is
that they never recover your stiff. Surface supplied deco dives, Sat dives,
and monster dives like the AD, Britannic and the insane shit GI and the boys
do is Technical Diving. Diving a pair of doubles on nitrox, and diving by
your nitrox computer and SPG is *not* Technical Diving, IMHO, it is simply
advanced recreational diving. We do it for fun, and because we want to stay
longer. CC rebreathers, and the Halcyon unit are Technical Diving. Use of
He02 mixes, and monster deco on 02 is Technical Diving. IMHO, DIR and the
GUE boys have the *best* handle on this type of diving. These are *my*
opinions and definitions, no one else's. So, if there is any flaming or
blame to be laid, lay it on *me.*

Having laid this foundation, let me now say that so many divers get into
what they perceive to be Technical Diving, because they think the gear looks
neato. Its gadget envy. These people will take a set of doubles and a pair
of 50% and 02 stages to do a dive that can be safely and easily done on air
and a single stage of 50%. They are the type of diver that will turn a
simple, no bullshit dive into a dangerous clusterfuck. As far as I know, and
have gleaned from reading here, deco on 02 should be avoided if at all
possible. Its the most dangerous part of these type of dives, and its where
a lot of people get bit on the ass or killed.

A Cheesedick will insist on, plan and do staged 02 deco dives in all
circumstances and dive profiles just because it looks cool.

A Cheesedick will buy all the bitchin Techy looking gear, and be unable to
keep his feet off the bottom.

A Cheesedick will resent being told, kindly or not, by older, wiser, more
experienced divers that what they are doing is wrong.

There are *lots* of Instructors out there who are confirmed Cheesedicks, and
in heavy denial.

A Cheesedick can be helped, but only if they realize they are a Cheesedick,
and want to change.

Fortunately, counseling is available. And its free. You get it right here.
Now, these guys here, who invented DIR and take time out of their lives to
help all of us Cheesedicks learn to DIR, have another word for this
phenomenon; "Stroke". Its their word, I try not to use it. I believe its the
same phenomenon, however labeled.

Now, go look in the mirror, and give yourself an honest evaluation. Do you
burden yourself unnecessarily with excessive gear, to do simple dives? Do
you burden your self and your body with 02 deco profiles, when you could do
them within minutes of the same time with a safer (50%) gas or back gas? Do
you get offended when people try to point out the errors of your ways?
Do you dive a double bladder 100# bondage wing? If you answer yes to any of
these questions, you are a Cheesedick.

The only question left to ask is simple; Do you want to change? If the
answer to that question is yes, then all you have to do is ask questions, be
tough enough to listen and (here's the hard part) *think* about the answers
you will be given.

I am a Cheesedick in recovery myself. I have a 2 PADI C cards, and two IANTD
shingles, and ZERO logs of my dives.
I plan dives on my computer, and infrequently dive by tables, but, mostly, I
dive with my experience, my wrist mounted computer, and my SPG to guide me.
No stages, no He02. Nitrox if I can get it, air if I cant. I know what I can
do, but, more importantly, I know what I *cant* do.

Scott


----- Original Message -----
From: Michael J. Black <mjblackmd@ya*.co*>
To: Aquanaut Mail <techdiver@aquanaut.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2000 7:41 AM
Subject: Re: on DIR divers


> "Scott" <scottk@hc*.co*> wrote:
> > She went diving with an FNG who had all the right gear, but was a total
> > cheesedick.
>
> Regarding Claudia's question about experiences with DIR divers, one would
> almost get the impression from Scott that they are arrogant and insulting,
> not exactly the way you'd want others to regard you, especially if you
> have a useful system for other divers to learn from.  MJB


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