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Take my thoughts for what they're worth. As a validation of my status to have an opinion, I am a 24 year Navy diver (not a SEAL, BTW) first on active duty and now as a reservist. I am not a gas diver although I have served as Project Diving Officer for many HeO2 dives including Master Diver Evaluations (the Navy doesn't do tri-mix). My air experience extends to 200FSW in surface supplied diving apparatus under highly controlled conditions. As a working diver with some exposure to the sport diving world I offer the following opinions. 1. The average sport diver has no damn business doing anything approaching technical diving. They lack the discipline to do it right and the environment is just too unforgiving. 2. The DIR system may not be perfect but it's far better than any system that anyone else has developed. The strength of Navy diving is that we all operate from the same set of guidelines with the same rigorous standards of training. I can confidently get into the water with just about any Navy diver and know he will react the way I expect him to in just about any situation. I can also rely on the quality and the maintenance of the gear at any diving command. DIR seems to be an attempt to bring a similar level of standardization to civilian technical diving. And although it seems common to focus on DIR as simply a gear configuration, it also is a system of training and diving operational methods. I MIGHT respect a group that decided to create their own system as an alternative to DIR and mandate their members adhere to it, but personal preference is a pathetic excuse for wannabee tech divers who don't want to spend the money to equip themselves properly or don't know a! ny better. 3. George may be an asshole. He has never denied it. His message may be harsh and tactless. When you have dealt with the consequences of others' incompetence, greed, or laziness as he has perhaps you will not be the sweet natured and diplomatic gent you are now. 4. The fact that you say over and over that your "DIR Myths and Realities" are undeniable does not make it so. Your facts and reasoning lack any logical or factual rigor. Bluntly they're lame. For the record I am not a DIR clone and probably will never dive DIR. The DIR folks and many others on this list would have a good chuckle at some of the gear I do use. That's military diving for you. The Navy system, old and slow to change as it is, actually works because it is a well developed and executed system that consists of gear, training, operational procedures, emergency procedures, and administrative controls. If I do ever engage in civilian technical diving I will engage the likes of GUE to train me and I will subscribe to a well conceived system like DIR. Do you just like the attention of seeing responses to your emails or do you really believe the pap you write? VR B.L. Flank -----Original Message----- From: Michael J. Black [mailto:mjblackmd@ya*.co*] Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 12:13 AM To: Aquanaut Mail Subject: DIR Jackpot! Wow!!! Bagged an elephant this time! I'd better think of something good to respond to all the DIR hotheads with their "panties in a such a bunch" (thanks Trey, I learned that one from you). First of all I am not trimix-certified, and believe it or not, one reason is I have an objection to TDI's requirement that Extended Range (on air) precede Trimix. There are very limited opportunities to get trimix-certification in my area, but that is slowly changing. I will not divulge how deep I have been on air, as if I haven't been crucified enough already. Ha!! As I said in my introduction, my technical diving has been wreck, ice, advanced nitrox (TDI), decompression procedures (TDI), some cave (dived Akumal in early 80's, but wasn't cave-certified), and let's just say some "deep" air. Diving medicine has been a second hobby, and I have been fortunate to have learned from some experts, whose names have already been bashed on this list, so keep guessing. Now listen up DIR clones. You are still the bad guys. Techdiver's reputation still sucks thanks to you loudmouthed jerks, and you damn well know it. As I've said before, kicking this hornet's nest is just a scream, because there are so many holes in your system (with the biggest hole being your militant attitude) that you deserve to be bashed, eternal-damnation style. And just so you don't hurt yourselves laughing too hard after reading this post, chew on this (a new myth fer ya): DIR: Myths & Realities (3rd update) Myth 9: George Irvine, DIR's founder, really cares about people and wants to help others recognize the error in their ways. Reality: Mr. Irvine is recognized worldwide first as a man who verbally attacks anyone who disagrees with his ideas, and secondly as the man who developed the DIR system of diving. His internet postings are indicative of a paranoid sociopathic personality disorder, and typically such an individual has little or no conscience, and is not capable of caring or helping. To Review (once more): Myth 8: DIR and its proponents have saved many student divers from certain danger and possible death, as taught by all other training agencies. Reality: No agency is trying to kill you. The agencies that have been in the business longest have enviable safety records, a testimonial to their quality of instruction, given the inherent dangers involved in scuba. Myth 7: DIR is a system for everybody. Reality: Personal preference is the system for everybody. You have the right to choose DIR or the right to choose another system, or to incorporate useful parts of any system that suits your needs. No single system will ever be the panacea for everybody. Myth 6: DIR is a system based on experience and proven facts. Reality: Although many DIR divers have experience in technical diving, there are many among them who extrapolate facts to the point of distortion, confusion, and lack of truth. The message soon becomes lost in all the noise. Myth 5: DIR is a new movement in scuba that will grow and someday surpass other systems. Reality: Tech diving will continue to grow, but the training agencies that will attract the most students are the ones with time-honored teaching skills, including respect, patience, and avoidance of name-calling such as DIR's infamous "stroke." Myth 4: DIR is practised by the BEST divers in the world. Reality: The BEST divers in the world are too busy diving and conducting research to be sitting around posting to techdiver, rec.scuba, the GUE list, Rodale's, or any other newsgroup in cyberspace. The BEST divers in the world, with few exceptions, are conspicuously absent from these lists. Myth 3: DIR uses safe procedures, both in and out of the water. Reality: DIR uses procedures that do not comply with guidelines established by NOAA and the U.S. Navy, including flying only three hours after a deep deco dive, in-water recompression for decompression accidents, diving well beyond recreational limits and simultaneously striving to shorten decompression times, exercising shortly after diving, plus others which are hardly safe. Myth 2: DIR is useful for cave diving, but can be applied to ALL forms of diving. Reality: Very few people use DIR outside of cave diving, because the system is inflexible and impractical. In fact DIR teaches using NO COMPUTER, only a bottom timer, hardly a practical recommendation nowadays. Myth 1: DIR has had no fatalities or accidents. Reality: Bobby McGuirre, a WKPP/DIR diver, died while diving DIR in a cave, and represents at least one accident DIR cannot deny. MJB :-))) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Kick off your party with Yahoo! 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