How many dives does it take for one to be competent?

[alex_can_dive]

Thanks, all, for the votes.
I guess some of you may've over-estimated the complexity of my question

Really, I wanted to know at what stage you'd be able to start every dive feeling excited, as opposed to nervous ("am I gonna make it back safely?" "am I gonna mess something up today?", etc )

 

[OTF]

Nah you just progress to doing more difficult dives and still wondering if you'll die every time.

On a serious note though, its RARE to have a dive when "nothing goes wrong". There's always some stupid bulls*** or some screwup. You get better at being prepared, rolling with the punches, and dealing with it safely.

It sounds like you're working hard to become a good diver, which is really awesome.

 

[johndiver999]

Thanks, all, for the votes.
I guess some of you may've over-estimated the complexity of my question

Really, I wanted to know at what stage you'd be able to start every dive feeling excited, as opposed to nervous ("am I gonna make it back safely?" "am I gonna mess something up today?", etc )

A little bit of nervous is a good thing. It helps make sure you are paying attention. Too much and it is no fun and too little and you become complacent.

In a lot of ways, I am jealous of new divers. Chances are they are going to see or do something on their next dive that they have never seen before

After a bunch of dives in the same place, you pretty much know you are not going to see something much different than the last 20 dives. Part of you hopes something "unusual" happens, but you also hope the unusual isn't some weird incident or accident. Sorta like... I hope I see a really unusual fish this dive; God I hope it isn't a hungry great white.

 

[TMHeimer]

I was comfortable underwater within the first 10 minutes. Taking a breath from a reg was like going home.
Competent? Maybe 20 dives? I was ok with low vis, low light, and could swim using a frog kick two feet off the bottom and not stir it up. By 50 dives I had done several night and a few solo with no apprehension. It just felt natural.

What was your "water" experience before you got certified? For me it was maybe 40 years snorkeling on & off, various locales, body surfing 6+ foot waves, brief stint HS swim team,etc. How old were you when you took OW?

 

[alex_can_dive]

A little bit of nervous is a good thing. It helps make sure you are paying attention. Too much and it is no fun and too little and you become complacent.

In a lot of ways, I am jealous of new divers.

You know, I am jealous of the experienced divers! =P
Usually, we have a very experienced diver (or two) going with us noobs. They're always chilling on the shore and be the last ones to jump into gear so effortlessly. On the contrary, I'm always the first to set up the stuff, check them, then check again, then I wait for the "masters", then finally we do the final checks together.
Into the water, while we noobs do the struggling dance of putting fins on, the masters put them on with one hand - like HOW???

 

[Marie13]

You know, I am jealous of the experienced divers! =P
Usually, we have a very experienced diver (or two) going with us noobs. They're always chilling on the shore and be the last ones to jump into gear so effortlessly. On the contrary, I'm always the first to set up the stuff, check them, then check again, then I wait for the "masters", then finally we do the final checks together.
Into the water, while we noobs do the struggling dance of putting fins on, the masters put them on with one hand - like HOW???

Dude, don’t feel bad! I find it much easier to have a buddy to lean on while I get my fins on. I’ll fall over otherwise! I hate the easy on fin people, too!

 

[TMHeimer]

You know, I am jealous of the experienced divers! =P
Usually, we have a very experienced diver (or two) going with us noobs. They're always chilling on the shore and be the last ones to jump into gear so effortlessly. On the contrary, I'm always the first to set up the stuff, check them, then check again, then I wait for the "masters", then finally we do the final checks together.
Into the water, while we noobs do the struggling dance of putting fins on, the masters put them on with one hand - like HOW???

Spring fin straps?

 

[alex_can_dive]

Spring fin straps?

Yes, we all have bungee strap fins. My problem is I always flip on my back like an overturned turtle.

 

[johndiver999]

You know, I am jealous of the experienced divers! =P
Usually, we have a very experienced diver (or two) going with us noobs. They're always chilling on the shore and be the last ones to jump into gear so effortlessly. On the contrary, I'm always the first to set up the stuff, check them, then check again, then I wait for the "masters", then finally we do the final checks together.
Into the water, while we noobs do the struggling dance of putting fins on, the masters put them on with one hand - like HOW???

If you have good mentors, you will progress quickly.

 

[FF / EMT]

So the prevailing wisdom is a 100 or more? How many does it take to be a dive instructor?

Not as many as it should, same with DM.
I’ve dove with both where I questioned how they had passed, in the end, it’s just a piece paper/ plastic.