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Saving the Baby from the Bathwater
We are Hogarthian, not DIR.
We believe in continual refinement and critical analysis. We don't believe safety comes from orthodoxy. We think for ourselves. This is how the Hogarthian system evolved. Specifically, we have the twin aims of minimalism and safety for our rigging.
- We use doubles with an isolator manifold.
- We use a backplate with a webbing harness.
- What about quick disconnects?
- If you want, sure. That's OK.
The rock climbing argument is specious, as any climber could tell you. - What about an extra D-ring? Or two?
- If you want, sure. That's OK. It's not the end of the world. But don't take more stuff just because you have a D-ring for it, OK?
- We wear our light on our right hip.
- We wear our stages on the left.
- I can't wear them on both sides?
- You can do whatever you want. As long as you are thinking things through and taking responsibility for your safety, you're Doing it OK.
- We eschew all-metal-to-metal connections.
- I don't know what 'eschew' means.
- That's OK. Check here.
- We don't insist on any particular fins.
- . . . but minimizing entaglement hazards is just smart. And OK.
- We don't insist you remove the rather useful boot on your tanks
- . . . but letting your tank rust is Not OK
- We believe there is more than one way to Do it OK.
- The idea that one setup is ideal for all environments and purposes isn't credible.
- We believe our brains and judgment are our most important tools.
- Deep air is a bad idea.
- A dry suit can be risky for backup buoyancy control if we are fully rigged. Responsible use of double bladders can be prudent. All gear requires work to become accustomed to. Put another way: Have you ever tried to neutralize 40+ lbs of negative buoyancy with a drysuit?

- This sounds suspiciously close to DIR . . .
- We believe in adopting good ideas when we see them. How do we know they're good? We judge ideas by their reasonableness, pedigree and applicability. In short, we use our brains. The WKPP has an enviable safety record. Some very accomplished divers use DIR. We've tried DIR setups and liked some, if not all, of the ideas. Why did we try them? We are Hogarthian. We critically examine our diving with an eye on improvement.
- More importantly, we owe some people a big thank you for their asses-on-the-line research and willingness to share the results. Thanks to the WKPP, Bill Main, George, Jarrod and the other less-well-known heroes of this revolution in diving.

Especially since you can no longer simply decry others for seeking a profit.

- We are NOT . . .
- Ultra-committed Explorers ... We're taking responsibility for our own safety. You, yours.
- saying anyone else shouldn't do any particular thing. ... We ARE pointing out how orthodoxy shuts down progress in diving.
![]() World Leaders Do it OK. |
![]() Why not you? |
![]() No strenuous workouts! |
![]() No Rules Enforcement! |
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The use of the term "Right" is a weakness that the DIR folks should wish to remediate. It is less than optimal b/c it confuses the issue with an unnecessary confrontation. There are other objections to what DIR stands for, but they are in the text.
We think it's the DIR folks who seem to have something to prove.
At least if the ratio of decibels to content can be trusted.