I use these three criteria when reading about DIR on the internet:
- Follow the teaching, not the teacher
- Seek an understanding of the meaning, not the words used to express it
- Trust in the knowledge of deep experience over those who are knowledgeable
Friday, January 12, 2007
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Why is there so much Debate in DIR?
In all the standard dive training, one message is very clear. Do not dive with a goal or mission orientation as it will cloud your judgement. This is a basic protection against photographers sucking their tanks try trying to get the last perfect shot, lobster hunts wrestling out the last bug or the spear fisherman getting in the last shot.
But what is you do want to accomplish a goal underwater and you are not a commercial or military diver?
But what is you do want to accomplish a goal underwater and you are not a commercial or military diver?
An individual can only do so much with technology. Eventually they need to help of another individual. As people and equipment are added, so in the complexity. Therefore it becomes simpler, easier and more efficient to streamline training, equipment, and responses to accomplish the goal.
If you have no team and no goal, then you have no basis to be DIR. Individuals debating D ring placement outside of the context of a team with a mission, is time wasting folly.
GUE is simply the most consistent training organization. But even their instructors (I've had 4 so far and are Friends with others) have various in how and what they teach. Their background or team will set the context for the difference.
An diver or dive team has to decide which is more in context for him or her and the team they dive with.
GUE Tech 1 is taught with the small Halcyon Surface marker as an acceptable lift bag and surface marker. This is DIR.
I dive with a team off South Florida that bombs wrecks and shoots a lift bag upon drifting off. The small Halcyon marker is not big enough to been seen at distance in rough seas. Our team has decided that the Halcyon Semi-closed 60lb lift bag is the preferred choice for a surface marker. Every team needs one. The small Halcyon marker is not allowed on the boat.
This is DIR to us in the context of our team and our mission of exploring wrecks.
To another team (I'm making this up to prove a point) say, surveying fish off the shores of Bonair, the small surface marker may be just fine and there is not need for a larger lift bag to accomplish their missing. Hence it is DIR to their team and purpose.
The debate is always about the "small" details. The big picture is that a well trained DIR diver can take their equipment and go from South Florida to the Great Lakes or Truk Lagoon and dive with other DIR divers with very little time spent getting up to speed on those smaller differences. Team in those regions will have already figured out the best way to dive those areas.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
1/7/07 Blue Fire Miami Project
The 4-6 ft sloppy seas made a long wet, rough journey out to the Blue Fire. The 1 knot North current ment a fun fast hot drop. But the 100ft of Bahama Clear Blue water made it all worth while.
With a 200ft drop we were over the wreck by 50ft. The Gavins at half pitch kept us in place as we hovered down onto the wreck. My camera settings were a bit dark, but it makes the wreck look more mysterious, laying there in 115ft of water.
With a 200ft drop we were over the wreck by 50ft. The Gavins at half pitch kept us in place as we hovered down onto the wreck. My camera settings were a bit dark, but it makes the wreck look more mysterious, laying there in 115ft of water.
Monday, January 08, 2007
How to Pack a Ford Escape DIR Style
The back seat has a set of Double 80s on each side. On the left side, I have 14 gal rubbermaid bucket with two AL 40 deco bottles.
On the right side I have a short body Gavin nose down strapped into the doubles harness and my dry bag to back it tight. Fins on the right side. In the middle I have two AL 80 stages.
This baby holds ALOT of dive gear!
On the right side I have a short body Gavin nose down strapped into the doubles harness and my dry bag to back it tight. Fins on the right side. In the middle I have two AL 80 stages.
This baby holds ALOT of dive gear!
2001 Ford Escape XLS 2WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl ) $6,499
Click this photo to see the rest of the photos on the interior on Flickr.
www.edmunds.com
2001 Ford Escape XLS 2WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl )
Color: Red
Mileage: 98,500
Condition: Clean
ASKING PRICE
$ 6,499
Edmunds TMV® Private Party Pricing:
Base Price $7,206
Optional Equipment $663
Color Adjustment $57
Regional Adjustment $80
Mileage Adjustment $-1,349
Condition Adjustment $0
Total: $6,657
TMV® pricing represents estimated
market transaction values. Prices as of:
1/07
Contact Information:
Matt Hoelscher
954.558.8976
Standard Equipment:
Power Windows and Locks
Plastic Bed Liner
Optional Equipment:
• 3.0L V6 DOHC 24V FI Engine • 4-Speed Automatic Transmission
• Front Side Airbags • AM/FM/Cassette/CD Audio System
• Cruise Control • Running Boards
www.kbb.com
2001 Ford Escape XLS Sport Utility 4D
Condition Value
Excellent
$7,510
Good
(Selected) $6,905
Fair
$6,105
Vehicle Details
Mileage: 98,500
Engine: V6 3.0 Liter
Transmission: Automatic
Drivetrain: 2WD
Selected Vechile
Standard
Air Conditioning Power Door Locks Single Compact Disc
Power Steering Tilt Wheel Dual Front Air Bags
Power Windows AM/FM Stereo Roof Rack
Optional
Cruise Control Cassette Running Boards
Blue Book Private Party Value
Private Party Value is what a buyer can expect to pay when buying a used car from a private party. The Private Party Value assumes the vehicle is sold "As Is" and carries no warranty (other than the continuing factory warranty). The final sale price may vary depending on the vehicle's actual condition and local market conditions. This value may also be used to derive Fair Market Value for insurance and vehicle donation purposes.
Vehicle Condition Ratings Excellent
$7,510
"Excellent" condition means that the vehicle looks new, is in excellent mechanical condition and needs no reconditioning. This vehicle has never had any paint or body work and is free of rust. The vehicle has a clean title history and will pass a smog and safety inspection. The engine compartment is clean, with no fluid leaks and is free of any wear or visible defects. The vehicle also has complete and verifiable service records. Less than 5% of all used vehicles fall into this category.
Good (Selected)
$6,905
"Good" condition means that the vehicle is free of any major defects. This vehicle has a clean title history, the paint, body and interior have only minor (if any) blemishes, and there are no major mechanical problems. There should be little or no rust on this vehicle. The tires match and have substantial tread wear left. A "good" vehicle will need some reconditioning to be sold at retail. Most consumer owned vehicles fall into this category.
Fair
$6,105
"Fair" condition means that the vehicle has some mechanical or cosmetic defects and needs servicing but is still in reasonable running condition. This vehicle has a clean title history, the paint, body and/or interior need work performed by a professional. The tires may need to be replaced. There may be some repairable rust damage.
* Florida 1/8/2007
www.edmunds.com
2001 Ford Escape XLS 2WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl )
Color: Red
Mileage: 98,500
Condition: Clean
ASKING PRICE
$ 6,499
Edmunds TMV® Private Party Pricing:
Base Price $7,206
Optional Equipment $663
Color Adjustment $57
Regional Adjustment $80
Mileage Adjustment $-1,349
Condition Adjustment $0
Total: $6,657
TMV® pricing represents estimated
market transaction values. Prices as of:
1/07
Contact Information:
Matt Hoelscher
954.558.8976
Standard Equipment:
Power Windows and Locks
Plastic Bed Liner
Optional Equipment:
• 3.0L V6 DOHC 24V FI Engine • 4-Speed Automatic Transmission
• Front Side Airbags • AM/FM/Cassette/CD Audio System
• Cruise Control • Running Boards
www.kbb.com
2001 Ford Escape XLS Sport Utility 4D
Condition Value
Excellent
$7,510
Good
(Selected) $6,905
Fair
$6,105
Vehicle Details
Mileage: 98,500
Engine: V6 3.0 Liter
Transmission: Automatic
Drivetrain: 2WD
Selected Vechile
Standard
Air Conditioning Power Door Locks Single Compact Disc
Power Steering Tilt Wheel Dual Front Air Bags
Power Windows AM/FM Stereo Roof Rack
Optional
Cruise Control Cassette Running Boards
Blue Book Private Party Value
Private Party Value is what a buyer can expect to pay when buying a used car from a private party. The Private Party Value assumes the vehicle is sold "As Is" and carries no warranty (other than the continuing factory warranty). The final sale price may vary depending on the vehicle's actual condition and local market conditions. This value may also be used to derive Fair Market Value for insurance and vehicle donation purposes.
Vehicle Condition Ratings Excellent
$7,510
"Excellent" condition means that the vehicle looks new, is in excellent mechanical condition and needs no reconditioning. This vehicle has never had any paint or body work and is free of rust. The vehicle has a clean title history and will pass a smog and safety inspection. The engine compartment is clean, with no fluid leaks and is free of any wear or visible defects. The vehicle also has complete and verifiable service records. Less than 5% of all used vehicles fall into this category.
Good (Selected)
$6,905
"Good" condition means that the vehicle is free of any major defects. This vehicle has a clean title history, the paint, body and interior have only minor (if any) blemishes, and there are no major mechanical problems. There should be little or no rust on this vehicle. The tires match and have substantial tread wear left. A "good" vehicle will need some reconditioning to be sold at retail. Most consumer owned vehicles fall into this category.
Fair
$6,105
"Fair" condition means that the vehicle has some mechanical or cosmetic defects and needs servicing but is still in reasonable running condition. This vehicle has a clean title history, the paint, body and/or interior need work performed by a professional. The tires may need to be replaced. There may be some repairable rust damage.
* Florida 1/8/2007
The ultimate Dive Gear box!
Roughneck Storage Box - 14 gal
Rugged storage boxes are shatter resistant
Sturdy, built-in handles allow for easy carrying.
Snap-on, stay-tight lids help keep contents dry and dust-free.
All units are stack able for saving valuable storage space.
Why is this the best for diving?
- It fits under the seat of 85% of the dive boats including Newtons, Catamarans, and Island Hoppers.
- Empty boxes can be stacked inside each other to conserve space on private boats.
- Easy to pack at home and visually verify all gear is inside.
- Big handles make it easy to carry on and off the boat. 3 boxes can be stacked on a cart.
- The snap on lid keeps contents dry. Most of the time you sit you dripping dive rig over your dive gear.
- Easy to find items inside.
- Gear can wash out during rough seas or stern ties to down lines.
- Easy to toss items back in box when breaking down gear after a dive.
- Box holds salt water in and keeps it out of your trunk.
- Fill box with water to rinse gear after the dive.
- Box dries quickly and can be used for storage after the dive. Lid keeps bugs and ants out.
- Box makes a perfect billboard for all your "Been there, dove that" stickers instead of putting them on a scuba tank.
- One box is less than $6 at Target or Walmart and will out live three $30-$150 dive bags!
Bonus: Garage Storage
Workforce24 In. 5-Shelf Storage Organizer
Two 14 Gallon Roughnecks fit perfectly on this plastic storage rack.
On top, I keep two 18 Gallon Roughnecks for storage and items I plan to EBay at a later date.
Top shelf has two buckets on the for old gear that I don't use as much. The second one has booties, hoods, gloves, odds and ins.
The next shelf has one bucket for doubles gear and one bucket for my single tank rig.
The next shelf has two buckets for my wife's gear.
The bottom shelf has fins and weights.
Available at Home Depot for $50.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Gmail - [SFL-DIR] Tech 1: "Three tips for Tech courses that I think are helpful (this goes just as well
for Tech dives also..)
1. Constantly watch your team for any developing problems.
2. Know exactly how long things should take and how long things are
taking (I�ll explain more about this later)
3. When you or another team member has a failure or problem, THINK
THINK THINK about all the potential problems this could create; all the way
until you are sitting back on the boat. Don�t forget about how it might
affect future failures (What happens if you have a left post failure and
later on your buddy runs out of gas, for example?)
To expand a little on #2, gas supplies are limited on tech dives, and since
you can�t bail out to the surface if you run out, your gas management is
critical. The key to keeping your gas management under control is to be
obsessive about time. A few examples:
1. I check my back gas at exactly every 5 minutes of bottom time. In
other words, I check it at 5, 10, 15, 20, etc, on my bottom timer. When I
look at it, I say something like �I�m at 5 minutes bottom time, I started at
3000 PSI and I�m now at 2500PSI. That is 500PSI in 5 minutes. At the end
of my planned bottom time of 20 minutes, That will put me at 1000PSI, which
is below rock bottom, so I�m probably going to have to call the dive at
15minutes or so�. Sounds hard at first, but becomes second nature after a
while.
2. I left the bottom at 150ft and 20 minutes bottom time. My first
decompression stop is at 110ft; I should get there at just over 21 minutes
bottom time. Your bottom timer will beep at you if you ascend to fast, but
you need to check for yourself that you don�t ascent too slow. If you get
to 110ft a couple minutes "
- Joel Svendsen
for Tech dives also..)
1. Constantly watch your team for any developing problems.
2. Know exactly how long things should take and how long things are
taking (I�ll explain more about this later)
3. When you or another team member has a failure or problem, THINK
THINK THINK about all the potential problems this could create; all the way
until you are sitting back on the boat. Don�t forget about how it might
affect future failures (What happens if you have a left post failure and
later on your buddy runs out of gas, for example?)
To expand a little on #2, gas supplies are limited on tech dives, and since
you can�t bail out to the surface if you run out, your gas management is
critical. The key to keeping your gas management under control is to be
obsessive about time. A few examples:
1. I check my back gas at exactly every 5 minutes of bottom time. In
other words, I check it at 5, 10, 15, 20, etc, on my bottom timer. When I
look at it, I say something like �I�m at 5 minutes bottom time, I started at
3000 PSI and I�m now at 2500PSI. That is 500PSI in 5 minutes. At the end
of my planned bottom time of 20 minutes, That will put me at 1000PSI, which
is below rock bottom, so I�m probably going to have to call the dive at
15minutes or so�. Sounds hard at first, but becomes second nature after a
while.
2. I left the bottom at 150ft and 20 minutes bottom time. My first
decompression stop is at 110ft; I should get there at just over 21 minutes
bottom time. Your bottom timer will beep at you if you ascend to fast, but
you need to check for yourself that you don�t ascent too slow. If you get
to 110ft a couple minutes "
- Joel Svendsen
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