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

[Wildcard]

Unless you have done the manta dive it's hard to imagine exacty what Lisa is saying. Ever had a 20 foot wide fish inches or less from you at high speed? Try that again and again!
Next time Lisa, try scaring them away with your yellow head bangie thingie.

 

[redrover]

Geeze I miss you Brian.

 

[Bobyjimmie]

Fantastic story!

My first Manta Dive I remember them saying if one hits you its like getting hit by a VW bus and if they go off the energy your lamp is putting out so hold it high enough they dont swoop just over the light and take your head off. So there I am holding my lamp at head level thinking all is well when one is coming straight at me face hight, I thrust that lamp as high as I could and ducked my head whilst puckering and bracing for impact. It dodged ever so easy and I unpuckered (if thats even a word). My DB said I looked like the statue of liberty if she was a turtle when we got back on the boat. LMAO

 

[c r0ck 1]

Things i learned.


Well i have never dived yet.. I start my cert class on nov 17th and already i have learned some important things..

I never knew:

-Divers use weights to keep them down.
-That a you use a bc that fills up with air to bring you to the top.
-That you can take your breather out in the water and let someone els use it with out drowning!
-That theres 3 different kinds of snorkels
-That divers use computers to docment their dives.
-That i will soon be BROKE AS HELL but have alot of nice scuba gear!

DOnt mind me im soooo new to diving!

 

[munkispank]

good points c r0ck 1 - and believe me, there are some 'less new' divers who had yet to learn these things

 

[biles]

I just got back into diving after about 20 years off (kids cost money/time too).

I learned that scuba has changed alot in 20 years - only commercial divers used to use mixed gasses, computer diving is great.

I learned that scuba hasn't changed alot in 20 years - wet suits/dry suits keep you warm, dive tables work the same and masks are no fun to take off in the pool.

Mostly I've learned (again) what a blast this sport is! (And that paying for it while paying for college is hard on the budget, but worth it)

To those learning about human faults, there are always people to whom you are too young, too old, to fat, too blond, too ... to listen to. I know it helps to vent (especially on the way down), but hopefully your experience will convince them. If it doesn't, it's their problem not yours that they can't hear it. Just try not to have the same fault when we old folks talk about stuff.

 

[Haiko]

During my DM course I (re-)learned a lot!. Now I know why DM's act like the way they do! Also learned that cold water (10degC) in a 7mm is not that cold.. only the SI is. And.. during my first nightdive I learned to stay very close to my own buddy instead of swimming off with some other divers who happen to be in the same area... Sorry guys

 

[c r0ck 1]

good points c r0ck 1 - and believe me, there are some 'less new' divers who had yet to learn these things

LOL thats pretty sad.

 

[Aardvark]

The time it takes to go from "all good" through "task loaded", "stressed" and "near panic" can be *very* short.

Lots more to learn...

 

[drydiver]

I have really enjoyed reading this thread . . .

I was just certified in March, so everything is new, but here were a few of the bigger surprises to me:

I can scream with a reg in my mouth
Unlike many land creatures, bright colors on fish do not necessarily indicate danger
Unlike many land creatures, sea creatures are much more curious and will actually swim up to you to check you out and follow you around

I learned
. . . to stick by your bc on a boat before someone else (who didn't bring one on the boat) jumps in the water with it (it was a rental and my first boat dive)
. . . it is possible to get stung by a jellyfish you never saw coming (first night dive)
. . . urine does not make jellyfish stings feel better (someone else opted for this treatment plan)
. . . there is a lot that can go wrong on a dive
. . . just because someone checks the box about not having any mental impairments, doesn't mean it's true
. . . hoods @*%$
. . . everyone looks like the Michelin Man in a 7mm
. . . when I can see my buddies fins, but not his head, that is low vis
. . . depth gauge is even more important to pay attention to in low vis since there are no visual cues for new divers who don't yet know how their decent rate/per equalization (if that make sense to anyone?)
. . . even blue gills can bite
. . . some u/w cameras (NikonosV) come with more o-rings than an engine and require tender loving care
. . . situational awareness decreases with camera in hand
. . . if you jump into a school of minnows at night, its not them you need to fear, it's what chasing them

and having a great buddy is, well, priceless.