Thanks for the post, I had seen your earlier one regarding your equipment
configuration, but the detail you provided below makes the differences
clearer.

While I can see several counter arguments to the ones you put forward below,
I dont think that I have anywhere near deep enough insight into how DIR
evolved to point out anything but the obvious issues e.g. BC on the left
post- if the rolls off AND breaks/bends (as I understand is possible) you
will be left without BC inflation.  Since dry suit inflation should come
from an Argon cylinder, it makes sense to connect the BC to the most robust
post- the right hand side.

I look forward to the replies of more experienced DIR divers.

Regards,

Simon Murray


----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Mount <TOM.MOUNT@wo*.at*.ne*>
To: Simon Murray <simonm@ho*.co*.za*>; Tech Diver
<techdiver@aquanaut.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2000 8:13 PM
Subject: Re: stroke tee shirt /dive girl mag


> Simon
> I already posted my personal configuration which is hogarthain but not
DIR;
> So if you have been following this you already have a copy of it if not
look
> into the archives
>
> First Difference I use a quick release on my harness in OW and wreck dives
> It is located on the lower left shoulder strap
>     Why, because a couple of years back I have a student in a trimix
course
> during the descent have problem and she bolted. I worked with her and got
> her to thesurface where she became passive incoherent and had me quite
> worried about an AGE. We were both in Continuous webbing. while I practice
> removing my gear all thetime while swimming and static in this situation
> trying to maintain her stability I could not get hers or my gear off. Yes
I
> did cut her out and theboat did come to us but it took about two to three
> minutes cutting the WET webbing. As itturned out she did not have any
> problems but had she had an AGE that extra time could have cost her her
> life. Thus I immediately went to Brownies and had them install a Quick
> Release on my harness
>   IANTD in its trimix course requires a rescue and removal of all
equipment
> as PART of emergency response training. the equipment is removed within 1
> 1/2 minutes. It is extremely rare that someone in a continuous webbed
> harness can complete this. Why the time limit because AGE has to have
quick
> response to save lives. Also try removing someone's equipment in a 4 foot
> sea without a quick release and without half drowning them and you may see
> why my preference is to have a quick release.
> bottom line I use a quick release because it is an effective life saving
> tool,
> And no it does not matter in cave diving's usually where a problem exist
the
> last thing you would do is remove equipment inside a cave hundreds or
> thousands of feet in.
>  If you review the history with quick releases the incident of failure are
> so remote as not to be significant so I find the argument of if your Quick
> Release breaks on a cave dive you will lose your gear
>     In addition you can disconnect a Quick Release and swim the equipment
> without it coming off if you place the quick release on the lower shoulder
> strap. Fabio Amaral who runs the operation in Bikini did a complete dive
> (extensive penetration) on the Saratoga and undid his quick release as
soon
> as he got in thewater. He did not even have to touch his gear theentire
dive
> . He  did snap it back before climbing up the dive ladder. I have done
> similar practice drills and had students do them no one yet has had the
> equipment shift or come off
>
>
> Second Difference All my hoses go straight down they don't criss cross.
> Basically I do not like a confused area behind my neck with criss crossing
> hoses.  This item is personal preference
>
> Third difference My BC inflation hose is on the left post with my back up
> regulator. Why because it is a probable warning if I accidentally bump the
> left post shut and it is in my opinion a clean setup.  As the only time
I'm
> ever negative is during descent the argument about a sudden loss of
buoyancy
> does not offset the advantage of the possible warning of a valve closure,
> Even should I have a buoyancy loss I can oral inflate my BC a skill I do
> teach and practice.
>
> Fourth difference my dry suit inflation hose is on the right post, when
> using mix I use argon and the dry suit is inflated from the argon cylinder
> but I keep the extra hose under my shoulder harness and linked to the
argon
> hose so it does not create drag and can easily be connected in case of a
> failure from the argon hose and I still keep my bc connected with its
normal
> inflator. Al hose connections are interchangeable BC and dry suit.
>
> Sixth difference is Instead of attaching theSPG to the waist D ring I
attach
> it using a short hi pressure hose to  a lower D ring on the left shoulder.
> It this position it remain at the d ring level rigid due to the hose
length
> and I can simply glance down and read it any time with or without stage(s)
>
> Seventh difference is I place my lift bag when diving off shore at the
base
> of my back plate as it is easy to remove and can be replaced and creates
> zero drag and most of all is completely out of the way
>
> Long hose storing and breathing , light placement etc is all as in DIR
>
> So now Simon you see the difference and a brief explanation of why.
>
> I do not think there is anything wrong with DIR I just think that options
> such as the ones I use are logical and safe.
>
> I do think that continuous webbing in OW creates more of a possible
> liability than having a quick release and base that on my experience
> described above and on observation of others. In cave it really does not
> matter
>
> Now I have no intention of responding to some of the yelling I imagine
will
> follow as it is not DIR but for some they may find this approach every bit
> as attractive and safe as DIR
>
> Basically I think good configuration comes from applying logic and
> application and listening to others. As I stated in an earlier post.
>
>
> Respectfully yours,
> Tom Mount
> CEO IANTD World HQ
> http://www.iantd.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Simon Murray <simonm@ho*.co*.za*>
> To: Tom Mount <TOM.MOUNT@wo*.at*.ne*>; Tech Diver
> <techdiver@aquanaut.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2000 10:06 AM
> Subject: Re: stroke tee shirt /dive girl mag
>
>
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Tom Mount <TOM.MOUNT@wo*.at*.ne*>
> >
> > <snip>
> >
> > At the risk of getting in the middle...
> >
> > > Anyway if you would like to have this discussion then lets do it if
not
> > > then lets do as we agreed  per your request and drop the issue. It
would
> > be
> > > quite time consuming for both of us and whoever else elects to
> contribute.
> > > But it would be an actual open discussion for all to participate,
> > > Who knows we may all gain from such a presentation of configuration
> > issues.
> >
> > I know the DIR configuration *very* well so why dont you kick off by
> telling
> > us how your personal configuration differs from DIR and why it is better
> to
> > configure your way ?
> >
> >
> > Simon Murray
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

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