Should new divers be exposed to controversial views?

[ScubaSteve]

It was in one of the Basic Discussions threads not too long ago. I'm not going to waste my time searchng for it, but someone (an instructor, I believe) asserted that only a certified instructor should try to teach a diver anything. Then someone else trotted out the liability arguments.

The usual silliness ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Usual silliness I agree, however I think a big part of the problem with the "controversial" views are that many newer divers seem to come onto this board with questions. Sometimes these questions relate to the basic principles of Scuba Diving and sometimes they are about some slightly more advanced topics. Often times, irrespective of what the topic is, they will draw final conclusions from the information provided (good or bad they really do not know). This became obvious in the thread that actually initiated this thread. The OP came on to ask a question, they read 8 pages of answers and drew a conclusion that seemed they understood there to be one correct answer when in fact there were an infinite number of scenarios that could happen changing the answer (which was said ad nauseum but was "filtered out" by that person in an effort to boil it down into simple terms).

But, because they were exposed to it here, they now believe they know the answer and may possibly act on that supposed knowledge and possibly hurt another diver. This is not the fault of anybody other than themselves, but they may now represent a bigger danger to the diving community because they are not aware that they do not actually know the correct answer.

To now answer the Post's question: I say show them all topics if they so desire however they need to know that they DO NOT know what they do not know irrespective of what they read on ScubaBoard.

 

[Slonda828]

To now answer the Post's question: I say show them all topics if they so desire however they need to know that they DO NOT know what they do not know irrespective of what they read on ScubaBoard.

I think the trick would be the implementation of that. We are talking about grown men and women (ostensibly) who pay large sums of money for a leisure activity. How exactly does one get their question answered with the entire gamut of possibilities than get told by someone who they have never met that they do not possess the requisite knowledge to implement any number of the possible answers that they have received? I could not have even done that in the Army, and they had to listen to me there.

Maybe a more realistic expectation is in order.

 

[ScubaSteve]

I think the trick would be the implementation of that. We are talking about grown men and women (ostensibly) who pay large sums of money for a leisure activity. How exactly does one get their question answered with the entire gamut of possibilities than get told by someone who they have never met that they do not possess the requisite knowledge to implement any number of the possible answers that they have received? I could not have even done that in the Army, and they had to listen to me there.

Maybe a more realistic expectation is in order.

OK, what is your version of "more realistic expectation"? I have voiced an opinion (that is all it was) and you seem to have chosen to disagree with that opinion, so clarify and perhaps even change my mind.

 

[Slonda828]

OK, what is your version of "more realistic expectation"? I have voiced an opinion (that is all it was) and you seem to have chosen to disagree with that opinion, so clarify and perhaps even change my mind.

Well, this is my idea. We post some sort of FAQ with many of the commonly asked questions and the common responses from the board. This would cover things like the ubiquitous "Which BC should I buy?" or "What is a BP/W?" questions. We, as a board, could cover the typical responses and let the diver make their own decisions. If we already do this somewhere, then it is a moot point. This would eliminate some of the controversy if we could reach some consensus via a poll (or series of polls) and make a "common questions FAQ" or something like that.

I am not saying my idea is perfect, but we could execute it.

 

[Walter]

It was in one of the Basic Discussions threads not too long ago. I'm not going to waste my time searchng for it, but someone (an instructor, I believe) asserted that only a certified instructor should try to teach a diver anything. Then someone else trotted out the liability arguments.

The usual silliness ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Thanks, Bob. That's worse than silly, it's extremely ridiculous and an incredibly stupid attitude. After over 2000 dives and having been an instructor for way more years than I care to admit, I still learn things from non-instructors. If you pay attention, you learn from everyone.

 

[ScubaSteve]

I definitely do not disagree with you Slonda828, but often times a search COULD result in some of that information. It can also be said that often times people that did search would get stuck reading a heated discussion about their topic rather than getting good solid information. You also then get caught up with what each individual feels is fact. Many feel that their opinions are wholly supported by facts when they really are only supported by their interperetation of information. I guess what I am saying is that your idea is not a bad one but I do believe there would be significant challenges in launching something like that. If we could get past those hurdles, there might be some good information for people to use.

 

[Blackwood]

Well, this is my idea. We post some sort of FAQ with many of the commonly asked questions and the common responses from the board. This would cover things like the ubiquitous "Which BC should I buy?" or "What is a BP/W?" questions. We, as a board, could cover the typical responses and let the diver make their own decisions. If we already do this somewhere, then it is a moot point. This would eliminate some of the controversy if we could reach some consensus via a poll (or series of polls) and make a "common questions FAQ" or something like that.

I am not saying my idea is perfect, but we could execute it.

Could do that, but I think it defeats the purpose of a discussion board. Better to point new divers to the threads in which a majority consensus is reached so they can read the WHY rather than simply the WHAT.

 

[JeffG]

My point was to demonstrate that some forums have specific purposes, and people who have different purposes are directed elsewhere. You apparently see the wisdom in this and approve.


It doesn't matter what that purpose is.

Absolutely the content drives the purpose.

DIR has right/wrong answers but a lot general scuba answers do not.

 

[Slonda828]

Could do that, but I think it defeats the purpose of a discussion board. Better to point new divers to the threads in which a majority consensus is reached so they can read the WHY rather than simply the WHAT.

Marc,

I agree. As an educator, I am all for exploring the "why" aspect. I just wish we could get rid of a lot of the "I don't like this XYZ and you shouldn't either" stuff. Sometimes I cannot even wade through a thread to find the legitimate stuff when it is 15 pages of blab with 4 pearls of wisdom. I think you and I both recognize that idea.

 

[Blackwood]

Sure, there is often a lot of mining to do to get to the ore.