A relatively new movement inside of diving is called DIR which is an acronym for "Doing it Right" which of course insinuates that everyone else is DIW (doing it wrong). Essentially DIR is a holistic approach to diving where there is a combination of equipment configuration, team based training, finning and buoyancy techniques along with no smoking, diet and exercise. A site where the DIR methods are spelled out is here:

http://www.dirquest.com/about_dir.shtml

Of course any new movement has its evangelists and those that are fanatical and insist that their way is the only way. In the DIR methodology is the embedded Hogarthian (created by William Hogarth Main)  style of diving which consists of the metal backplate with inflatable wing, single piece webbing for the harness, a long primary hose (7 foot or 5 foot depending on what type of diving you are doing). Some folks dive the Hogarthian style without drinking the DIR Kool-Aid, I call that the DUH (Diving using Hogarthian) style. For a more detailed explanation look at:

http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Paradise/3415/files/hogarth3.txt

I guess at least for now I am a DUH diver, as you can see from my picture, I have the backplate, wing, dual tanks, dual regulators, long primary and bungeed backup regulator. It makes sense to me to use the long hose on the primary and donate it instead of a short secondary hose. The long hose was originally for use in environments where the divers couldn't swim face-to-face so the long hose allows for tandem swimming while sharing air. However, even in normal non-tech, non-overhead environments and open water the added flexibility of the long hose makes sense...duh!

Another feature of the Hogarthian configuration is the bungeed backup regulator that you wear around your neck. In a standard PADI configuration the backup is called an Octopus and is usually attached with a easily detached mount to a triangular area between the shoulders and the waist. In the PADI configuration they assume that the diver will calmly come to you, give the out of air (OOA) sign and wait to receive your Octo. Right.

Face it, when some one gets OOA, they are usually going to do it on the exhale if they haven't been properly checking their air, so they have no reserve air in their lungs to speak of and will be desperately seeking a source. Usually they grab the first regulator they see, your primary. With the backup bungeed around your neck you don't even have to use your hands, you tuck your chin down and grab the backup, give it blow to clear it and breath, a much more practical arrangement...duh!

Finally the use of the double tanks and double regulators, some argue this is only required for deep/tech/wreck diving. I don't know about most divers but I usually get to low air before I reach bottom time limits (NDLs) so a doubles arrangement helps me get the most out of each dive. The double tanks are cross connected through a manifold that has an isolation valve. This manifold allows you to isolate one tank from the other and the primary regulator is on one tank, the backup on the other. This all provides redundancy allowing for safer diving. So longer bottom times and redundancies all add up to safer diving...duh!

I am looking into getting more training in the full DIR methods, I think their team concepts and buoyancy and kick techniques offer real promise I will keep you appraised of my learning in these areas. Until then I will keep on diving and enjoying doing things the old fashioned ways, even with the Hogarthian rig I am using...duh!