Scott,

The DIR term is stroke.  We don't need a new name.

Walter


----- Original Message -----
From: Scott <scottk@hc*.co*>
To: Michael J. Black <mjblackmd@ya*.co*>; Aquanaut Mail
<techdiver@aquanaut.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2000 10:52 AM
Subject: Re: on DIR divers


> 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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