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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