AUE's equipment configuration

A good SCUBA equipment configuration should allow for the addition of items necessary to perform a specific dive without interfering with or changing the existing configuration. Diving with the same configuration not only helps solve problems, it prevents them.

The primary regulator is breathed during normal diving and passed to a diver in the event of an air-sharing emergency. When used, this regulator is usually affixed to a long hose, which in an air-sharing emergency allows the out-of-air diver additional length and comfort.

In the event of a primary regulator failure or out-of-air emergency, the backup regulator must be instantly accessible; consequently DIR divers hang this regulator around the neck. This regulator is held in place by a necklace made from elastic tubing or cord. Having this regulator placed close to the neck means that it is less likely to be affected by surrounding water turbulence (causing a free flow).

Wearing a SCUBA Tank

Historically, divers believed that diving with a harness and a back-mounted wing was only suitable for double tank technical diving. However, divers have come to realize that a back-mounted “wing-style” BC is a better overall choice for a diver, providing him/her with an array of advantages not possible with conventional jacket-style units. This is because a classic style open water BC is not only bulky and loose fitting, it also tends to force a diver's feet into a downward angle, a terrible swimming position, thereby increasing drag and effort. Most technical divers recognize the inferiority of a jacket-style BC for use with double tanks; nonetheless, they often do not fully appreciate how many of these same problems plague open water divers. For example, conventional jacket-style BCs try to fit a wide range of divers with only a handful of stock sizes. In contrast to sloppy-fitting jacket-style BCs, harness systems fit all divers snugly and with great precision, and are infinitely adjustable. When fitted with an appropriately sized wing-style compensator, these systems provide the absolute best combination of streamlining and comfort.

The Harness and Backplate

A diver's harness should be rigged from one piece of webbing and should have no quick-release buckles or other failure points. Though plastic quick-release buckles seem to simplify the process of getting into and out of one's dive gear, these “savings” are illusory, putting a diver at greater risk that s/he would be without it. In many cases this could prove fatal as the diver clings to tanks whose negative tendency stands in stark contrast to his/her own positive tendency. In cases where the loosened or dislodged quick release does not cause a diver to lose their tanks it can easily cause a dangerously significant shift in weight, throwing the diver off balance. The crotch strap is also one piece, and has a loop in the front through which the waist belt is threaded. The crotch strap is needed to hold the diving system in place and to prevent it from sliding up toward the head when entering the water or when inverting; later it will also be necessary for any diving involving a diver propulsion vehicle (DPV). Once threaded through the crotch strap, the belt buckle should be placed to the right of center so as not to get accidentally opened by the crotch strap.2

Furthermore, the area below the tanks is an excellent area for storing equipment. A D-ring attached high on the crotch strap provides ample room for storing items. In addition, this D-ring also provides a diver experiencing a DPV failure with a handhold, enabling them to be towed out quickly and efficiently by another DPV diver.

Buoyancy Compensators

Many divers mistakenly believe that they must have large buoyancy compensators to support their diving needs. Actually, divers do not need excessive amounts of lift; large wings, because of the additional material they require, only serve to increase drag. However, if a diver does need more than 65 pounds of lift for diving doubles, or more than 30 pounds for diving singles, then they do not have a balanced rig. The diver should be able to drop unnecessary weight and swim up without a functioning BC. As with all diving, the key component to proper buoyancy is diving with a properly balanced rig. Divers using dual BCs have experienced an array of problems including increased drag, additional task loading and uncontrolled inflation. There is never a need for “redundant buoyancy” in a properly balanced rig. The DIR approach avoids the use of dual BCs, and instead stresses proper balance between BC, cylinders, weighting and exposure suit.

Some BC's have become known as “bondage wings” because they support a series of elastic bands that restrict the size of the wings. This design introduces a whole new range of problems for the diver who selects to use them. These include: uneven inflation, off-kilter trim, the potential exacerbation of small BC punctures, increased drag, and resistance to manual inflation. In short, bondage style wings have no place in DIR diving configurations. Historically, divers have had to make a number of changes to their BC in order to increase its reliability. The DIR diver can make some fairly simple changes to these wings to increase their ease of operation and to extend their longevity. First, if the wing is not constructed with internal protection for the bladder, then the inner bladder can be covered with inner tube material to protect it against being punctured. Second, the corrugated hose on nearly all BCs is far too long and therefore, because of its length, often impossible to streamline. By refitting the BC with a shorter corrugated hose, and coupling it with a custom inflator hose, the diver can significantly improve the cleanliness of his/her system. Finally, all BC fittings should be checked to ensure that they are secure. Alternatively, divers can avoid all these modifications, and purchase a BC that is specifically designed for DIR, namely, the Halcyon BC.