Diving myths taught for safety?

[TSandM]

I don't think these are myths. I think a simplified approach, maximizing safely, is presented to beginners.

Many things which are presented as unsafe to open water divers SHOULD be: Holding your breath, entering overhead environments, going into deco, solo diving. That doesn't mean that those things cannot be done with acceptable risk mitigation. It means an open water diver does not have the skills or knowledge to do so.

 

[nimoh]

I don't think these are myths. I think a simplified approach, maximizing safely, is presented to beginners.

Many things which are presented as unsafe to open water divers SHOULD be: Holding your breath, entering overhead environments, going into deco, solo diving. That doesn't mean that those things cannot be done with acceptable risk mitigation. It means an open water diver does not have the skills or knowledge to do so.

I agree, my statement was made based on the use of the word "never", and I'll admit that although I don't think it was false, it was a bit of a troll

When such statements are used as simplified teaching approach, then I agree they are not myths.

 

[iluvtheocean]

Diving Myth: Split fins are perfect for cave diving.
Driving Myth: Driving on I-95 during snowbird season is perfectly safe.

I'm not a cave diver but even i wouldn't be crazy enough to try splits in any confined space that would silt out and my life would depend on knowing the correct route out.
I-95 is dangerous without snowbirds! i've noticed people in south florida tend to drive like they drive their shopping carts in the grocery stores. Witnessed an elderly lady who didn't want to want a few seconds for someone to move their cart while they were getting some butter -- crash her cart into theirs shoving it out of the way and continuing on her way w/o apologizing or looking back. i encountered her again in the parking lot -- going the wrong way and was upset with me cause i was going the correct direction after pulling out of my space. (the parking spaces are angled at that publix and driving lane
is one way) --

---------- Post added May 9th, 2013 at 03:05 PM ----------

I agree, my statement was made based on the use of the word "never", and I'll admit that although I don't think it was false, it was a bit of a troll

When such statements are used as simplified teaching approach, then I agree they are not myths.

i think the point is made though... they are unsafe. but the risks can be managed with proper training and equipment.
for example: running with sharp objects is dangerous - such as scissors or swords. i dont normally run with scissors - but have been known to run around the local park waving a sword while being chased by other people with swords. (not larp - real swords) we are actually trained how to do this safely and without hurting anybody in the audience

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Diving Myth: Split fins are perfect for cave diving.
Driving Myth: Driving on I-95 during snowbird season is perfectly safe.

I'm not a cave diver but even i wouldn't be crazy enough to try splits in any confined space that would silt out and my life would depend on knowing the correct route out.

Speaking of diving myths, let's explore the one about split fins creating more silt than blade fins.

It isn't necessarily the case. Any fin can create silt if used improperly, and can be dived without creating silt if used properly.

There are two major reasons why split fins get this "bad rap". The first is that they are primarily used by newer divers, who were taught to keep your legs straight and kick from the hips ... i.e. "use your biggest muscles for power". Well, if you do that you'll create silt no matter what style of fin you're diving. Even in tight conditions you can use split fins in a manner that doesn't silt out your environment ... you just have to know how to "finesse" the fin by bending your knees, pointing your fins up and out, rather than out and down, and kicking with your lower legs and ankles. Granted they are less effective to use in this manner than a stiffer blade fin, but it can be done.

The second reason split fins tend to silt is because people tend to overkick them. The big draw to split fins is that they're easy to kick ... but the disadvantage is that when your kick takes your fins out of the slipstream you tend to create more turbulance downward ... and unless you're several feet off the bottom that'll cause silting. Keeping your feet inside the slipstream tends to direct turbulance more back rather than down.

I wouldn't consider taking splits inside a cave either ... but not due to silting concerns. It has more to do with the fact that they aren't really a good choice for either the finesse positioning or heavier load hauling that you'll have to deal with in cave diving.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[TMHeimer]

old ones, sorry:
1. mask on forehead means panic (no matter where you are).
2. snorkel (on mask) is important for safety--snorkel is good, foldable one is more comfortable.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

Myths:
(1) Mask on forehead is sure sign of panic.
(2) Fins on for surf entries are always necessary
(3) Decompression information provided by a computer is always correct and meaningful
(4) Information provided by dive table is always correct and meaningful
(5) Dive gear is “life support equipment”.
(6) Taking more training is the only way to gain knowledge about scuba

 

[waterpirate]

16 posts later and not one mention of the " S " word??

Myth= If you solo dive you will die

Eric

 

[gekodivebali]

Sidemount is for cave divers only
Sidemount is a fad and the practice will disappear altogether within a few years
Sidemount is dangerous
Sidemount divers take more time to gear up
You can't sidemount off a boat
You can't backroll with sidemount
Switching regs is task loading
Sidemounting with more than one stage is impractical
Backmount is more appropriate for open water dives
Sidemount does not apply to CCRs

Some of these myths may have nothing to do with safety...

---------- Post added May 10th, 2013 at 06:14 AM ----------

I thought the s word was sidemount

 

[bilsant]

I was generalizing. I do dive within my limits of experience and instruction.

Before I signed up for my AOW, I have dove to 90 feet, did a few night dives, did an ice diver course, solo dove....

How does one find their limit without hitting it? However, I am not going to do anything I know will kill me.

Sorry to get to this thread so late in the discussion, but I couldn't pass up on the obvious...

Generally speaking, new divers don't die from doing things they know will kill them. It's the things they don't know or figure they're too smart to follow the rules about that kill them.

Cave
Wreck
Tech
Sidemount
Split fins
Rebreather
Solo

- good hard-earned training programs are available in all these areas. The lessons were learned through the losses of those who pioneered before. Please get training before you "push the envelope" in all the things you hear are myths. When you gotten all the training that's available, you'll be ready to explore real new frontiers.

While I think the mask on head thing has some validity...I once exited, hauled my butt 50 yards across the beach to the parking area, and flopped on a bench to catch my breath...with my MOH. Someone passing by pointed it out and asked if I was in trouble......sigh.

Of course, YMMV.

 

[gekodivebali]

Another thing to note about such myths is that they are relative. Some personal myths are not necessarily widely accepted and tell you more about the diver spreading them than about the practice itself. On the other hand, some myths that are widely accepted as correct do not hold in the long term. See discussions about the use of Nitrox "the evil gas" in the 90's for an example of this...
Like in all things, the middle way is to listen and learn, while keeping an open mind to changes and evolutions, no matter how experienced you are.