george_austin
Contributor
- Messages
- 573
- Reaction score
- 289
- # of dives
- 5000 - ∞
One of the points in taking something like AOW is that if you do have a mind to become a real "diver" instead of someone who dives is that hopefully, some of the easier, rudimentary skills practiced will inspire you to further investigate those topics outside of or after the class. Many people who dive, and this isn't a criticism, will kind of understand how a regulator works, but not really understand the engineering principles of operations. Maybe this interests you and I guarantee when you get on a boat and someone has an issue with their regulator and there you are to sort it out - they're going to think of you as someone who is a very valuable resource - this instills more confidence you have in yourself. That is just one example. Another is that people check out the way you dive - everyone is always comparing and discriminating - human nature. When other divers or people who dive see you underwater with perfect buoyancy, looking totally comfortablel, in good trim with no air in your BC at 100 fsw, people notice. People talk.
There is no substitute for a ton of dives in different places - warm water, cold water, high seas or flat - your personal experience diving kind of sets you apart as the guy who's always smiling and humble no matter what is going on. Willing to help, knowing how to help, when not to - all that stuff. Hell, just the way you put your fins on back on the stern sometimes will tell the captain and crew that "Here's a guy that knows what he's doing" (they also look at how much weight you carry in your "recreational" configuration. An experienced and competent diver almost always carries much less weight than most of the other "hobbyists" - I'm talking about an example of someone in a 1/4 inch wetsuit and hood with gloves and everything - not a GUE type with aluminum tanks and stuff rigged up to him and in a drysuit etc - I'm just talking about my experience as 75% of my own experience as a very active California diver -
Don't get discouraged, been there done that and got the T shirt. Just dive yer azz off til you drop. Great post
---------- Post added August 5th, 2015 at 10:55 AM ----------
Ha. I race bikes as well and risk assessment is usually only on my mind while I wait for the day of the events. I have no time to think of danger or death on the track because I'm too busy deciding my entry point and exit point for a turn or figuring out a pass. I have a finite number of brain cells available to spend on side issues while loving the race and dreading the final lap because the fun will be over.
On the other hand, people always say -"how can you do that, its so dangerous!" Well, not if you are prepared and know where the line is that you dare not cross. I know my limitations and while there is a limit to how far my skill can carry me - it doesn't necessarily mean that I have to go right to that limit. I don't race for money or fame so my attitude is what is the pay off for this - for me it may be a formica board little plaque -
Diving for me? the pay off is just pure fun so I need not do anything but prepare myself to have fun and be safe.
There is no substitute for a ton of dives in different places - warm water, cold water, high seas or flat - your personal experience diving kind of sets you apart as the guy who's always smiling and humble no matter what is going on. Willing to help, knowing how to help, when not to - all that stuff. Hell, just the way you put your fins on back on the stern sometimes will tell the captain and crew that "Here's a guy that knows what he's doing" (they also look at how much weight you carry in your "recreational" configuration. An experienced and competent diver almost always carries much less weight than most of the other "hobbyists" - I'm talking about an example of someone in a 1/4 inch wetsuit and hood with gloves and everything - not a GUE type with aluminum tanks and stuff rigged up to him and in a drysuit etc - I'm just talking about my experience as 75% of my own experience as a very active California diver -
Don't get discouraged, been there done that and got the T shirt. Just dive yer azz off til you drop. Great post
---------- Post added August 5th, 2015 at 10:55 AM ----------
_________________________________________________________________________Maybe THAT'S why I catch so much grief here! I'm Russian! Kidding. Really, I spent 17 years roadracing motorcycles. The kind where you go 160+ MPH into Turn 1 at Daytona, (or Virginia International Raceway or numerous others), lean the bike over and drag your knees through the turns.
Some would say I'm crazy and have a warped sense of danger. However, I might point out a long career that includes winning several regional amateur championships, all while having better stats for actually completing races than any other racer I know who also competed at, say, the top 5 level consistently.
I call it finely honed risk assessment and mitigation skills, plus significant experience of maintaining calm and focus under threat of imminent death or significant injury.
Or maybe my perception of risk in an OW rec dive is just skewed...
Ha. I race bikes as well and risk assessment is usually only on my mind while I wait for the day of the events. I have no time to think of danger or death on the track because I'm too busy deciding my entry point and exit point for a turn or figuring out a pass. I have a finite number of brain cells available to spend on side issues while loving the race and dreading the final lap because the fun will be over.
On the other hand, people always say -"how can you do that, its so dangerous!" Well, not if you are prepared and know where the line is that you dare not cross. I know my limitations and while there is a limit to how far my skill can carry me - it doesn't necessarily mean that I have to go right to that limit. I don't race for money or fame so my attitude is what is the pay off for this - for me it may be a formica board little plaque -
Diving for me? the pay off is just pure fun so I need not do anything but prepare myself to have fun and be safe.