100% DIR

[Freedive WI]

So many points that I think they should all be seperate threads- regulators, gasses, buddy diivng, oc, ect.

Here's a link to the local DIR club's standard gas page:

An easier rule of thumb is just using a max PP02 of 1.4 for bottom gasses, on standard length dives- not gonzo 12 hour long cave dives or anything like that. Also, keeping your narcotic depth to 100' or shallower. Deco gases are allowed to go up to 1.6. It is so much easier whne everyone on the boat shows up with the same gas/deco tables that team planning becomes easier and you can accomplish more underwater.

There are many different regs that can be used for DIR diving. THey all just need to be down stream with standard hose fittings, as in no 1/2" ports for LP hoses. They should also have second stages that can be stripped underwater without tools. If you follow this there are regs from any number of companies that will work- Aqualung, Atomic, Beuchat, Cressi sub, Scubapro , Oceanic, Dive Rite, Apeks, Zeagle, ect. They should have enviroemntal kits on them for around here and standard length hoses, plus have the IP's set down a little bit.

The idea is that you can switch out regulator parts with your buddy underwater. If you get to your 70' gas switch and your reg takes a dump it would be nice to pull the Oceanic second stage off of your buddies extra reg and throw it onto your Apeks first stage. This can be done if everything matches up with standard parts and the IP's all match.

Forget the idea of only one company making DIR gear. They make something that no one else does and then everyone copies them a couple of years later.

Dives are planned on a home computer, or palm, and checked against your buddies. After while the profiles become second nature and you start to remember them because the dives,and the gasses, get repeated often enough. Profiles, and back up's, are kept in an underwater notebook in your drysuit pocket and I always carry two sets. Some people carry the extra set on their wrist, which isn't 100% DIR, but it sure is convienent.

Someone else can jump in on other points that I missed.

jon