What have you learned in the last year, regardless of how long you have been diving?

[RJP]

I've learned:

That diving around Catalina Island is world class.

Yup - some of my favorite dives!

 

[MurkyRockDiver]

I learned Sea Urchins teach buoyancy control better than any instructor I have met

 

[aubie85]

I learned Sea Urchins teach buoyancy control better than any instructor I have met

wow, I bet they do

 

[Web Monkey]

So there are all these catch phrases out there, a good diving is a thinking diver, a good diver is a learning diver, a good diver never stops improving, yada yada yada. And that got me thinking and wondering what others both new to diving as well as the old crusty salts might be learning.

• I learned that a freeze-proof regulator is only freeze-proof as long as you keep it in your mouth. If you take it out in freezing cold water and use it to fill a lift bag, it's no longer freeze-proof.
• I learned that no matter how bulletproof you think your gear is, it's really dangerous to dive without a backup air source for each diver (buddy had to disconnect Air-2 because of a leak).
• I learned that 2 Day OW divers pretty much freak out when their boat fills with water and that checking your own gear before entry, turning your own tank back on, and ditching weights in an emergency apparently aren't covered in much detail.
• I learned that the best DiveCon training involves being a guest on a sinking overloaded boat with freaked out OW divers.

Terry

 

[Baconated]

I learned that you can puke through your reg without negative consequences, at least as long as you hold the reg firmly in your mouth.

 

[SDE Dennis]

I learned that having your own boat will allow you the freedom to go to great diving spots anytime you want to go.

I also learned that the same boat will drain your wallet while doing so. Boy did I learn and learn and learn!

 

[SNorman]

Hmm..

- I can use 24lbs of weight in cold water, instead of 30lbs how I started out.

- 12lbs of weight in warm water seems to work ok!

- When going through BWRAF, pay attention to each letter, for real . In my case, the W.

- Never, ever, ever, lend your camera to someone underwater without putting the wrist strap or lanyard back on as soon as you get it back, especially if it floats, and especially if you're used to just letting go of it when you're not using it, and especially if you're also kind of forgetful like me.

- If you go diving at Edmonds, and your dive buddy is not in very good shape (despite her looking like it), and you end up doing a long surface swim back, be prepared to practice the tired diver tow.

- Make sure your dive computer is turned on before you descend, especially if it's not water-activated.

- If you think you swim fast, someone will show you that you really don't.

- Make sure you unclip ALL of your stuff from a rental BCD before leaving the boat, especially if the boat is in Mexico, and shortly afterwards you aren't.

 

[chipwd]

Well I was certified last year and completed dives 50 through 95 (so far) this year.

This year I learned:

• better bouyancy
• completed PADI Rescue
• learned how to dive with less weight
• dove 109' to a 250 year old sailing vessel (The Land Tortoise in Lake George)
• Found some new diving buddies in Maine (Hi Pete! Say hi to Luis for me)
• made numerous gear configuration changes and learned this is never ending
• made some really cool night dives and learned I like them

All in all, a good year and still not over yet!

 

[BabyDuck]

i learned that my dive buddies are some of the best friends i could ever have.

ever.

thanks, guys!!

 

[1_T_Submariner]

I learned that when they designed Bonaire did a great job for divers!

There is great diving in the Gulf of Mexico (Oriskany).

When a Drysuit floods I think it is colder than a wetsuit.

Scubaboard is addictive.