Are you a dive snob?
- Thread starter CamG
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With only 115 dives, I still consider myself learning how to dive better. Earlier this year, I started diving at least once a week, with a group of very experienced divers. The place we dive at has several groups that dive there. Some groups are tech, others are recreational. I have never witnessed anything that could be construed to be snubbing others. We usually all talk together, then go off on our own dives. I have never been snubbed by another diver or group.
In our group, we welcome new divers and tailor our dive to give them an enjoyable experience diving with us. Our group has an instructor, a couple of divemasters, a couple of divemaster candidates (I'm one of them), and a few Rescue, AOW, and OW divers. We just like to get out and dive.
Ron
In our group, we welcome new divers and tailor our dive to give them an enjoyable experience diving with us. Our group has an instructor, a couple of divemasters, a couple of divemaster candidates (I'm one of them), and a few Rescue, AOW, and OW divers. We just like to get out and dive.
Ron
Probably the most separation is in places like this. Any thread that starts that involves diving styles or equipment has a crowd of people jumping on the tech gear, wing back plate long hose is the only way to survive in the water. Granted it's all really cool stuff born out of a sales driven industry. When I started diving I used a double hose reg with a Mae West vest and tanks, the big ones were 72's. An spg was a rod ran down the side of your tank and there were two types of fins. Stiff and stiffer. A new culture has emerged and all the my dog is better than your dog crap has started. People that have for the lack of a better word fetishes seem to be comsumed with them. I know I was that way about diving years back so I tended to like being with other divers socially. Now that the sport has morphed into what it now is with 200 certs for who knows what and all the specialty gear that honestly is mostly enjoyed by the sports retailers there are lines drawn all over the damned boat deck. It used to be just hunters, then it was photographers and hunters and now theres about 10 groups all sure their way is best and many times being really pushy about their way of enjoying diving. What have I done as a result, I solo dive usually from shore and more than not I freedive as at my age the gear even as simple as I like it has gotten way too heavy to hump down a 300 ft hillside. Just my 2 cents
Bill
Bill
Good topic Cam. I'm both a recreational and technical instructor and am happy to dive with either group. Having been diving for over 80% of my life, with a Navy and commercial diving background, I've experienced a variety of "attitudes" towards me.
Some disagree with my opinion, that a diver's training should be more inclusive, rather than those who hold a "it's a license to learn" attitude. Some people think I'm hard nosed and others a dinosaur from a time best forgotten.
Although I much prefer the warm clear reefs of the Caribbean and South Pacific, I don't consider myself a warm water diver. Because of this, I have some pretty solid opinions on what a cold water diver needs to know to be safe. I suppose I've developed a strong belief in what works and what doesn't. This may come accross as snobbish to some; that's unfortunate.
I'm aware that what denotes competence depends upon the diving environment, but I don't believe that an incompetent diver should be placed into the water in the first-place (let alone be certified). I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all "universal training program."
I know what you mean by some divers having attitude, but by-and-large I've found that the greatest majority of divers (recreational and technical) are friendly open-minded people who love to dive and to share their experiences & their love for the underwater world.
Some disagree with my opinion, that a diver's training should be more inclusive, rather than those who hold a "it's a license to learn" attitude. Some people think I'm hard nosed and others a dinosaur from a time best forgotten.
Although I much prefer the warm clear reefs of the Caribbean and South Pacific, I don't consider myself a warm water diver. Because of this, I have some pretty solid opinions on what a cold water diver needs to know to be safe. I suppose I've developed a strong belief in what works and what doesn't. This may come accross as snobbish to some; that's unfortunate.
I'm aware that what denotes competence depends upon the diving environment, but I don't believe that an incompetent diver should be placed into the water in the first-place (let alone be certified). I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all "universal training program."
I know what you mean by some divers having attitude, but by-and-large I've found that the greatest majority of divers (recreational and technical) are friendly open-minded people who love to dive and to share their experiences & their love for the underwater world.
SDiverJim
Contributor
I think it comes down to how you explain/present yourself that separates a snob from a dive buddy from a mentor. It's important to be open minded about how others wish to pursue their dive life style. There is obviously numerous facets to this sport and certain specialties are going to interest different people. I have certainly seen me fair share of disagreements on scuba board regarding which technique/gear/group would be the best choice. We like what we like but as long as we are all safe and open minded "snob" need not factor into it. I love diving my wife wants nothing to do with it. At times we do separate things. Even though we are married (18 yrs 4 days ago 
we may always have individual interests.
we may always have individual interests.
Tropicalwolf
Contributor
Even though we are married (18 yrs 4 days ago
I would venture that those different interests is why you have stayed married so long
captain
Contributor
Unasked for advise is usually not well received.
Hank49
Contributor
Dive snob...isn't a snob a snob anyway? Golf, truck driving, shrimp growing, spearfishing, boat owner, dishwasher.....It's the person, not the activity.
robint
Contributor
Am I a snob? No, but I have treated like one on more than one occasion. The reason - meeting divers on a boat, chatting about where we have been. I have been asked, "where's the coolest place you have been?" or "have you ever seen sharks?" I answer honestly, telling them about Palau trip, drifting though a school of 40+ sharks, etc. or flying at mach speed on a drift dive in Palau at 100' depth, etc. or diving in one of the Blue Holes in Palau, pitch dark and 120' depth with sharks circling around us... yeah, I have done some really exciting dives. Don't ask me if you don't want to hear about them! Am I bragging... NO! I am answering your question.
Do I snub other divers? NO, never. I chat freely with every diver and I enjoy talking about diving. Do I care if you are diving doubles? NO. Do I care if you are a cave diver, sure, tell me all about your coolest dive! I don't feel threatened by the fact you do things I DON'T do.
Have I ever been snubbed? Probably, but I just don't worry about it. It's their loss as I am a really cool person!
robin
Do I snub other divers? NO, never. I chat freely with every diver and I enjoy talking about diving. Do I care if you are diving doubles? NO. Do I care if you are a cave diver, sure, tell me all about your coolest dive! I don't feel threatened by the fact you do things I DON'T do.
Have I ever been snubbed? Probably, but I just don't worry about it. It's their loss as I am a really cool person!
robin
horsediver1
Contributor
To answer the original thread I have been absolutely snubbed by snobs. The sad part is the person usually responsible isn't even congnicent of their own ignorance to the situation.
1- They are convinced their brand of equipment is better
2- They are convinced that their certification agency is superior
3- They don't realize that they are talking with someone with more experience
4- More times than not they are only conveying their own inadequacies
5- And sometimes it is just their personality
I have found it much easier to shrug it off, change the subject and just enjoy the day, the dive and the people with the same enthusiasm. I have found that by mentoring new divers with quality conversation, observation of their abilities and helping them progress is much more rewarding than arguing how "They should do or wear equipment or even what brand to buy".
If one remembers to talk and treat people the way they personally would want to be treated wouldn't it be grand.
1- They are convinced their brand of equipment is better
2- They are convinced that their certification agency is superior
3- They don't realize that they are talking with someone with more experience
4- More times than not they are only conveying their own inadequacies
5- And sometimes it is just their personality
I have found it much easier to shrug it off, change the subject and just enjoy the day, the dive and the people with the same enthusiasm. I have found that by mentoring new divers with quality conversation, observation of their abilities and helping them progress is much more rewarding than arguing how "They should do or wear equipment or even what brand to buy".
If one remembers to talk and treat people the way they personally would want to be treated wouldn't it be grand.
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