Just curious as to how many people are using the DIR regulator setup with the long hose primary and bungied necklace backup? I got a chance to see Jason's setup this past weekend diving and I was impressed. I'm in the process of switching over to this setup myself.
I have been using it for about a year. Had a DM from one of the local stores tell me that I was a statistic waiting to happen during my rescue class. Having been through the DIR Fundamentals class it makes a lot more sense now. <br>JoelW
<br>Haha, a "statistic waiting to happen"... Is this because the DM assumes that your buddy will grab your backup and strangle you or what?<br><br>I always tell my buddy to grab my primary. I like the fact that I always know where the backup reg is.
Personally, in the reading I have done so far, I did not find the case all that convincing that the Dir setup is safer in open water. Now confined spaces is a different matter. But if you do both maybe being used to only one configuration is best.
The DM felt that someone was going to come up behind me and grab the reg in my mouth and strangle me in the process. Who knows, he may have a point, but rolling over will fix that. I do know one thing though, in trying to really dive DIR it won't be my dive buddy coming up to me in a panic and trying to grab the reg. If you are really diving as buddies (and not just as DIR buddies) you should know where they are, what they are up to and approximately how much gas they have left. The worst thing that might happen is blowing an o-ring or free flows. In that case, both know the drill to do an air share. Having done an air share with a 40" hose, a 5' hose and a 6' hose, I know which I prefer. So, if you don't like the DIR setup, that's fine. Dive what you want, how you want, as long as it is what you consider safe. I am not out to change anyone's mind.<br><br>JoelW
The nice thing about the DIR setup is the secondary regulator is strapped under both you and your buddy's neck. You know exactly where it is without thinking. Which is good. I know of two separate incidents where two highly skilled dive instructors with two very experienced buddies (not during a class) had to share air using the Air II on the inflator hoses that got in to trouble. One couldn't find the secondary octopus on his buddy (which was the Air II), and his buddy couldn't find it either until the instructor realized after several paniced seconds at 80 feet with no air, that it was a AirII. The other incident the instructor couldn't find his BC deflator button while sharing air at 120 feet in 35 degree water until he realized too late that it was in his mouth not where he natually found it. They made a balistic ascend to the surface luckily with no physical problems.<br><br>If the secondary regulator is in the triangle area, it is in a much better spot. But could come lose without you or your buddy noticing it or too tightly secured such that the mouth piece comes off. I think the secondary tied under the chin is a very good idea.<br><br>In the DIR fundementals book, it says that a short hose is OK for shallow open water dives. Which is not what they say in the DIR-F class. I didn't see much use in the long hose for open water either until I had to use my buddy's during a free flow incident and after practicing OOA ascents using the long hose. Much, much nicer. It gives you way more freedom in how you can swim either vertically or horzontally.<br><br>Next time you go diving, practice an OOA simulation with a standard hose and turn your head both ways, you'll notice how limited you are without getting the regulator ripped out of your mouth (movement, swimming and body position with respect to your buddy).<br><br>Derrick<br><br>
I don't use the long hose, but I'm going to convert. I (and this is not based on anything but assumption) would think even in open water the long hose would have advantages. In an out of air situation, I would much rather give a primary on a long hose, than have a paniced diver on a short hose right in my face.
As an extension to what I said above and in addition to what Derrick said, go out an practice an air share. Regardless of what you decide to use, practice it on a regular basis. Especially with a new buddy. It takes 2 minutes and all parties now know what to do if it is needed. It seems to me a lot of people get worried about bothering their buddy by asking them to do what may seem pretty basic. Well, it is basic. But, it is your life you are talking about. Doing an air drill in 15' in Square may seem a little silly, but it is better there than at 80' on the Madeira or down the wall at Wazee.<br><br>Of course, all of the above is dependent on how important having a buddy is to you<br><br>JoelW
<br>I switched over to a DIR hose config this year just to try it out and weigh the advantages/disadvantages. I have 6 dives with the config. I hope some of you guys will be at square this weekend. I wouldn't mind getting some tips. Practicing the OOA drill is a real good idea.
Several good points here. I have noticed turning the head does cause the reg to pull a bit. I was going to lengther the hose a few inches at one time. In time I may be convinced ;D