I couldn't really work out how to phrase this question - or the title - so don't go nit picking on me....
I don't really follow the view that one can never be DIR - just aspire to be. There are rules which are set out and proceedures which we are supposed to follow and you can chose to do so - or not. However, we are constantly accused of blindly following these rules - without understanding - and most DIR divers I have met just don't fit this sterotype - they have made their own decisions along the way.
When I decided to do Fundies I thought I could cherry pick from the system. I went and did a last (well first actually
) 45 meter dive of air the week before and then set off for Portland for the course.
I came away a tiny bit more DIR in attitude, but to be honest not much. I still figured that I could dive air shallow when I wanted to, my computer was still set to tell me my deco, I would happily dive with non DIR divers, and the thought of solo still didn't bother me.
I went on a YD trip to the Farnes and happily agreed a plan which was - if we get seperated - bag up but carry on
As I dived more with Fraser and Al I started to dive nitrox all the time, I never made a consious decision to do so - it just sort of happened - the air fills got less and less until they just didn't happen anymore.
Getting ready for Tech 1, I dived exclusively with DIR divers or those with a similar attitude to teamwork. Through the first part of the course itself I wore my computer and bent it - much to Andy Kerslake's amusement.
I then went to the Maldives and had a bit of a relapse...
Only air was available so I dived it, and the lure of warm water and my own company took me off deeper than I should have gone - and away from the group too. About as non DIR as you can get really...
Back to England, a bit shaken up by my own stupidity, I went to finish Tech 1 with Al and Frase. My computer was put into gauge mode and it has been there ever since - it was almost a grand gesture on my part - mentally setting me on the path I had chosen for my diving. The thought of a solo dive is now a complete no no to me, and I want to dive with people who have a similar view.
Frase and I went to the Red Sea a couple of weeks later and we proved to ourselves that you can have a warm water holiday (and some deep dives) and still do it right.
So how about you - in what order have you made the progression - how far have you got - and why?