OP
Now I didn't say that the area has to have those conditions all the time. It just has to be an area that COULD have them.
I'm the OP.
Aquarium Diving
- Thread starter Aquatic Eagle
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Now I didn't say that the area has to have those conditions all the time. It just has to be an area that COULD have them.
I'm the OP.
sabbath999
Contributor
Filling the capsule cockpit with pressurized 100 percent pure oxygen was not such a good idea... lesson learned the hard way...
Dive experience is valuable, especially with basic skills. Experience with special conditions are another matter. I have a good number of dives logged and countless hours in the pool, but a big goose egg in cave diving experience. I wouldn't even dream of cave diving without additional training.
The same is true for aquarium diving. I have trained many divers with hundreds of dives but they have never dove in an aquarium. With increased salinity and shallow water, there is a new set of skills to be learned. With most new aquarium divers we require a two training dives and that's all it takes.
I do take personal glee with new divers who talk a big game and don't take heed to the trainer's advice and wind up turing turtle in the aquarium or have severe buoyancy problems.
Just like to pilot analogy, you may have a pilot's license, but it does't make you qualified to pilot anything with wings.
The same is true for aquarium diving. I have trained many divers with hundreds of dives but they have never dove in an aquarium. With increased salinity and shallow water, there is a new set of skills to be learned. With most new aquarium divers we require a two training dives and that's all it takes.
I do take personal glee with new divers who talk a big game and don't take heed to the trainer's advice and wind up turing turtle in the aquarium or have severe buoyancy problems.
Just like to pilot analogy, you may have a pilot's license, but it does't make you qualified to pilot anything with wings.
john1bl
Registered
Here is what I think about the situation. I think all dives should be logged
There is not a XP (experience points) rating to dives or flying hours. I have 273 hours as pilot in command of a airplane. All the hours are counted the same period!! There is not a difference between the hour I spent relaxing on a calm day just doing touch and gos and the hour I was in the soup(low vis) with low fuel and the only airport I could land at just had a crash at the end of the runway:shocked2:. So to carry this to diving. I can't see that the aquarium diving is different from the keys or any easy relaxing dive on one end. On the other end what is the difference between a OOA in the ocean at a shallow depth and OOA in the aquarium the procedures are the same. and it still counts and one dive. Some day the logs might get standardize with categories that make some sense but I will not hold my breath for that to happen
There is not a XP (experience points) rating to dives or flying hours. I have 273 hours as pilot in command of a airplane. All the hours are counted the same period!! There is not a difference between the hour I spent relaxing on a calm day just doing touch and gos and the hour I was in the soup(low vis) with low fuel and the only airport I could land at just had a crash at the end of the runway:shocked2:. So to carry this to diving. I can't see that the aquarium diving is different from the keys or any easy relaxing dive on one end. On the other end what is the difference between a OOA in the ocean at a shallow depth and OOA in the aquarium the procedures are the same. and it still counts and one dive. Some day the logs might get standardize with categories that make some sense but I will not hold my breath for that to happen
Interesting topic
The concensus seems to be that aquarium dives are valuable, but not the same as OW dives, since the conditions are 'controlled' to a degree
By the same rationale, OW dives in warm, shallow waters don't count for as much as OW dives in deeper depths/currents/cold water etc
That seems fair
IMHO the number of logged dives alone is irrelevant in determining a divers experience; I've seen divers certified beyond their ability, and vice versa
The concensus seems to be that aquarium dives are valuable, but not the same as OW dives, since the conditions are 'controlled' to a degree
By the same rationale, OW dives in warm, shallow waters don't count for as much as OW dives in deeper depths/currents/cold water etc
That seems fair
IMHO the number of logged dives alone is irrelevant in determining a divers experience; I've seen divers certified beyond their ability, and vice versa
seaducer
Contributor
I logged the most memorable aquarium dives, but I wouldn't expect them to count for anything. Personally the routine practice and high standards for bouyancy etc. for working around animals and acrylic windows and tunnels has made me a much better diver.
But it is not the same as a true OW dive and I wouldn't be so trusting of someone with even 1000 aquarium dives but very few OW ones.
Aquariums make you skilled, but OW teaches you how to handle the things that can kill you.
But it is not the same as a true OW dive and I wouldn't be so trusting of someone with even 1000 aquarium dives but very few OW ones.
Aquariums make you skilled, but OW teaches you how to handle the things that can kill you.
On a side note, I'd been searching for a backup dive watch recently, and found this quote in an ad for a 200m diver rated Citizen Aqualand:
"Great watch - functioned well on single 5m aquarium dive"
"Great watch - functioned well on single 5m aquarium dive"
All of the dives give you experience; some good some bad, but all can be used as a learning tool. Buoyancy is probably most critical in a small contained aquarium. If you are good, you don't break things.
Your log book is simply that, YOURS to do with as you please. Count or not, it's your choice. Most people don't really care after you have several years and a few dives under your belt. You will be judged by others as to how well you dive, your buoyancy and competence are all as seen, not as written.....
Your log book is simply that, YOURS to do with as you please. Count or not, it's your choice. Most people don't really care after you have several years and a few dives under your belt. You will be judged by others as to how well you dive, your buoyancy and competence are all as seen, not as written.....
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