Thanks Trey, you and Pina are welcome here anytime... we had a blast.

I got to my email box today and had about 15 requests for your
recommendation on how to stow lift bags and reels.

I am kind of in a hurry so correct me if I do not articulate this properly.

Liftbags:  use a bungee that will be long enough to go from your front D
ring to your back plate (routed through the crotch).  Bolt snap on one end
of bungee, lift bag on the other.  Stow the lift bag between your back and
back plate.  When you need the lift bag you can unclip and pull the bungee.

Reels: When not carrying deco bottles easiest place is the hip D ring.  But
when carrying deco bottles one option is the rope "handle" of the deco
bottle.

~Allyson

-----Original Message-----
From: George Irvine [mailto:girvine@be*.ne*]
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 6:48 AM
To: Allyson; Pina Porceddu (E-mail 2); Vbtech list (E-mail); Quest
(E-mail); Techdiver List (E-mail)
Subject: RE: April 13, 2002; George Irvine's Presentation to Nova Tech
Divers


Allyson, thanks for having us up there and taking us around DC. That
"autograph" was Jarrod's book, btw. It is really good to see so many people
who have an interest in developing this sport beyond the nonsense that has
prevailed for so long. You guys are setting the best example.

-----Original Message-----
From: Allyson [mailto:allysonclagett@ea*.ne*]
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 6:18 AM
To: "Trey" Irvine (E-mail 2); Pina Porceddu (E-mail 2); Vbtech list
(E-mail); Quest (E-mail); Techdiver List (E-mail)
Subject: April 13, 2002; George Irvine's Presentation to Nova Tech
Divers


April 13, 2002; George Irvine's Presentation to Nova Tech Divers

George Irvine and Pina Porceddu were gracious enough to give a basic DIR
presentation to our newly formed technical diving group last Saturday, April
13th. The meeting began about 2pm at Shenandoah University's Loudon County
Campus off of route 7 in Leesburg, VA. Divers came from various directions
to hear George speak: Pennsylvania, Charlottesville, VA, and Virginia Beach
to name a few.

With a brief intro from Todd Clagett stating that George came to speak of
DIR gear configuration, proper buddy skills, decompression, and attitude,
George then piped in with laughter stating that there are many who do not
like his attitude!

George brought and played the NHK produced video of the WKPP during his
talk. NHK productions filmed it in November of 1999 and spring of 2000. The
footage is incredible and he informed all that National Geographic purchased
the video, but for now, it is going through some script changes and we can
expect its release later.

George discussed DIR's clean equipment configuration as he assembled a steel
doubles rig piece by piece. Starting with regs moving through the plate to
wings while touching on protocol of use for each piece. He stressed the
importance of streamlining and the logic behind the basic balanced rig. He
also showed us some nice ways to stow our lift bags and reels.

The conversation then migrated to buddy skills and preparedness in handling
failure modes. With regards to buddies, George stated that the good buddy is
just as important as any of your other life support gear. I have seen him
post this tid-bit before but he pointed out to our group that each of us has
a "back up back up regulator" with our wing's inflator. He demonstrated that
a diver could breathe (not re-breathe) from the inflator while depressing
both buttons. After a big inhalation off of the inflator he continued his
conversation and to everyone's surprise he sounded a little along the lines
of a cartoon character. Todd had an 18/45 mix in the tanks that GI was using
during the demonstration. Amongst the laughter, Todd pointed out that we do
"no deep-air around here!"

We then moved on to diver physiology, decompression and nutrition. George
reiterated the need for helium based dive gases, the ill effects of nitrogen
on the body while under pressure, and how to plan a deco while considering
CNS%. Since he just posted several guidelines on the Internet lists on how
to plan efficient decompression he discussed how to tweak decompression
programs so that you have a better deco schedule than what the program
produces. George also discussed some nutrition guidelines for the day of
diving: such as why water might be a better choice than drinks such as
Gatorade unless you can take the Gatorade with you on your dive.

George also fielded questions from the audience and the discussion briefly
moved to re-breathers. George made it well known that he thinks all
re-breathers are dangerous but the mechanical Halcyon is a better choice for
the purpose of solving time and/or depth constraints and only then with
infallible bailout procedures in place and top-notch support.

The presentation began to wind down about 5:30pm. As we broke several hung
around for one on one conversation with George and Pina. George showed
several interested divers Todd's short body Gavin. George even signed an
autograph for one fellow.

George and Pina, thanks so much for giving up a weekend to spend time with
our group and talk with us. We appreciate your time! It's one thing to read
on the Internet how you do things but there is nothing like seeing your
methods demonstrated in person.

We also wanted to thank all of you who chipped in a buck or 5 or 10 for the
room and chair rental. We got everything covered plus a little extra, which
we used to put towards George and Pina's dinner.

We have some photos from the presentation on our web site:
http://home.earthlink.net/~toddclagett/NovaTech/index.htm
Click on photos and then 4-13-2002 George Irvine’s DIR Presentation or
follow the link from the home page.


~Allyson

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