Diving myths taught for safety?

[GrumpyOldGuy]

There really should be a "Youth" course for the people under 18, and an "adult" one for those over 18

Why?

There are plenty of smart, mature teens that can out dive adults. Since they are exposed to the same risk, why would a different level of skill be required?

If your going to discriminate, I would do male vs. female (the females tend to know their limits better than youngish males).

In the end, the OW course should provide you the skills needed to survive, right now its a training permit. Scary for everyone.

 

[The Chairman]

Why?

There are plenty of smart, mature teens that can out dive adults.

Don't you mean that there are only a few adults who can out dive most teens???

 

[NAM001]

Where a shore entry point has a drop off ie water is 3 ft deep till about 30 ft out and dropps off to 50 ft. Prior to having a bcd you had to have your fins on in case you walked off the ledge. If you were not weight correct you would plunge to the bottom with no propulsion and your only option was to drop your weight belt. That does not exoist any more cause witht eh bcd you just dink to your shoulders adn float. so now instead of wearing clumbersome fins trying to walk on an unknown bottom you can make the walk to 4 ft water in your boots and put on your fins in the water knowing you have your bcd to support you.

I still walk backward or sideways (crab walking) when entering the water with my fins on. How did the BCD change that?

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Don't you mean that there are only a few adults who can out dive most teens???

Mostly grumpy old farts.....

 

[Scott]

That does not exoist any more cause witht eh bcd you just dink to your shoulders adn float.

KWS, do you have any videos on how to "dink to your shoulders"?

 

[swimmer_spe]

If we are talking about what we think of as typical recreational diving, I think Open Water is enough. Now when you get into something like cave diving where a screw up could be pretty unforgiving, I think a cave class is a must.

What is the real differences between a cave or a wreck? They have virtually the same hazards, don't they?

 

[BDSC]

What is the real differences between a cave or a wreck? They have virtually the same hazards, don't they?

I have been on a lot of wreck dives and for the most part, you can usually see your way in and out. It would be pretty hard to get lost in any of the wrecks I have been in. From what I understand, there can be all kinds of passages, alleys, and tunnels where one could easily get lost in a cave system. Perhaps someone with cave experience could speak on it better than I but I see a lot of difference between the two.

 

[Ste Wart]

What is the real differences between a cave or a wreck?

Caves are boring

Wrecks are awesome!

They have virtually the same hazards, don't they?

There's a thread on its own.

 

[swimmer_spe]

I have been on a lot of wreck dives and for the most part, you can usually see your way in and out. It would be pretty hard to get lost in any of the wrecks I have been in. From what I understand, there can be all kinds of passages, alleys, and tunnels where one could easily get lost in a cave system. Perhaps someone with cave experience could speak on it better than I but I see a lot of difference between the two.

Depending on the wreck, you could have the same issues: many passageways, low ceiling, silt kicking up, things to get caught on, etc. Yes, I get how dangerous and difficult cave diving and wreck diving is. But if you take the most dangerous of the 2, they are vurtually the same danger.

I was originally pointing out that the 3 different disciplines are the 3 major things to think about.

 

[rongoodman]

What is the real differences between a cave or a wreck? They have virtually the same hazards, don't they?

I'd say the biggest difference is that while caves are much bigger and potentially navigationally more complicated, wrecks are more unstable and changeable, not only because they're in the process of falling apart, but because of their ocean/lake environment, with the associated currents, weather. overhead traffic, etc.