What is DIR (Doing It Right)?

The "Doing It Right" (DIR) system evolved out of the exacting demands of the world's most extreme exploration diving, yet the approach is rapidly gaining favor among all levels of divers. Everyone benefits from a system that makes the underwater experience safer and more comfortable. The DIR system is much more than an equipment configuration.  It is a diving style that ensures every aspect of each dive represents safety, fun and efficiency.

Leading explorers long ago realized that a confused or delayed response to emergency situations creates an unacceptable risk.  DIR attempts to bring the practical solutions to safety and productivity honed in the world of exploration into the classroom for entry and advanced divers.  Risk is managed by streamlining and minimizing gear configuration. Buddy communication skills are refined to heighten awareness of the dive environment. Taken together, rethinking your gear configuration and your approach to teamwork puts you back in the middle of the dive.

Unfortunately, there is a prevailing assumption that standardized equipment, clean configurations and attention to detail are only for "technical" or other rigorous diving conditions.  In reality, clean and simple universal configurations are even more beneficial for divers with limited experience.  GUE representatives have discovered that training all divers with standardized equipment has been highly successful.

(©2000, dirQuest, Issue 1.1. For more information on the DIR philosophy, please visit <www.gue.com>