I wanted to respond before I read through what everyone else had to say, so maybe this has already been said... if so, I apologize. I've been lurking around SB for some time, registered quite a while after I started lurking, but I don't think I've posted a long reply to anything yet. This thread caught my interest because my personal perspective has evolved so much over my diving career. For the 14 months, I've been what I would would consider an "active" recreational diver (averaging ten dives a month), vs the first nine years, when I would consider myself a "vacation" recreational diver (averaging ten dives a year). So I've got two very different experiences and perspectives. And I think that is part of a disconnect - the "active" vs "vacation" rec diver are two very different flavors! I know for myself, as a vacation recreational diver, it was very much follow-the-leader, take advice from DMs, warm-water diving. As an active recreational diver I'm much more open because I want as many opportunities as possible. Below, I've spoken to my perception of the vast majority (which I see as vacation recreational divers), unless otherwise noted, my experience as a vacation recreational diver was consistent with what I indicated for the vast majority. In a lot of cases, it's been different as an "active" rec diver, as discussed below. Anyways, hope this makes sense:
I think the VAST MAJORITY of "recreational" dives made in the World are made in waters 70 degrees F and warmer.
Vast majority: Agreed. Me as active rec diver: Not necessarily
I think the VAST MAJORITY of "recreational" dives made in the World are made with Aluminum 80 cubic foot-ish tanks.
Vast majority: Agreed. Me as active rec diver: Agreed, mostly (when renting tanks), but purchased tanks are steel
I think the VAST MAJORITY of "recreational" dives made in the World are made using Vest BC's.
Vast majority: Agreed. Me as active rec diver: No (switched to BP/W in April and haven't looked back. Do have a Zuma for travel, which is great, I usually bring with me as an backup but I've only worn it once since the trip I bought it)
I think the VAST MAJORITY of "recreational" dives in the World are made wearing 5 mm or less wet suits.
Vast majority: Agreed. Me as active rec diver: Not necessarily (bought the drysuit so I could dive the colder water)
I think the VAST MAJORITY of "recreational divers" first OW courses were "booked" as 3 or 4 day classes.
Vast majority: Agreed. (my experience as well, sad to say. I know better now)
I think it is highly likely the VAST MAJORITY of "recreational" dives made in the World are made using full foot fins.
Can't say I agree with this one.
I think it is highly likely the VAST MAJORITY of "recreational" dives made in the World are "guided dives."
Vast majority: Agreed. Me in present/future: Hell No
The first nine years of diving that was all I knew. The first time I dove NC and was told us if we wanted a guide we'd have to pay for a DM, I handed over the $ so fast it wasn't funny, because it had never crossed my mind I'd dive without guide. Once I got my mind around the idea that I didn't *have* to have a guide, I started diving without one (in FL, etc,) but it wasn't until I stopped what I call the "vacation" recreation diving and started getting serious about diving that I got comfortable diving without a guide. Now I'm not comfortable with anyone touching my gear and I would balk if I was with an operation that insisted on guiding.
I think it is highly likely the VAST MAJORITY of "recreational divers" will go "deep" within their first dozen logged dives. (>100')
Can't say I agree with this one
I think it is highly likely the VAST MAJORITY of "recreational divers" will go "under rock" within their first dozen logged dives. (Cavern, not arch)
Can't say I agree with this one.
I agree at least the last two may be a function of living in Hawaii
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Thanks for the thought-provoking post.