Are you a stroke?

[jimholcomb]

Originally posted by metridium
On one hand:


On the other hand:

1.) solo diving - I'd never consider it for technical or advanced rec dives, but I consider it an acceptable risk for easy rec dives if a proper buddy isn't available.

2.) dive computers - I understand and agree with DIR advocates on not using computers in tech diving, but I see no compelling reason to give them up on rec dives.

3.) reg mouthpieces - I use seacure mouthpieces on my regs because the others become quite uncomfortable after an hour or so. Even on tech dives, I have no intention of giving these up - what's the point of adding extra stress for no real gain? This seems like a minor consideration, but it's another example of not DIR, I guess.

#1 - No comment ;^)

#2 - I agree

#3 - A couple buddies and I had this discussion a while back and came to the conclusion that someone elses seacure wasn't very appealing. BUT - with a choice of grabbing it or drowning - it becomes more appealing. BUT - it might discourage the appropriate S-Drills prior to dives (the one where you swim around the basin breathing off each others' primary).

 

[Bob3]

Hey, for me a "long hose" is 300' or over. My normal one is only 150'.
12½ lbs of lead on dog collars for each ankle, weight belt secured w/suicide clip.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by Bob3
Hey, for me a "long hose" is 300' or over. My normal one is only 150'.
12½ lbs of lead on dog collars for each ankle, weight belt secured w/suicide clip.

So Bob3...
What is your understanding of the acronym S.C.U.B.A. ???


BTW right now I have a real bitter issue with S.S.A.
My main dive bud is going to be geoducking all next week and unavailable for scuba diving.

 

[Bob3]

SCUBA is what ya gotta do if you're parachuting in dive gear, the logistics of using a long 'nuff hose otherwise is a tad much. ut:
You can always tag along on the dredging project; yer buddy may need you to watch his 6 in case one of those nasty gooey ducks tries to sneak up on him.
Got some nice chowder recipes here:
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/divers3/food.html

 

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by Bob3

Got some nice chowder recipes here:
http://www.angelfire.com/ca/divers3/food.html

I check out the recipe link... thanks.

 

[The Chairman]

Copied from a web page ( http://www.pina3.net/dive/stroke.htm )and attributed to GI3... enjoy!

WHAT IS A STROKE ?
(written by George Irvine)


Very simply put, a "stroke" is somebody you don't want to dive with. It is somebody who will cause you problems, or not be any use to you if you have problems. Usually, this is a reflection of the attitude of a stroke, but that can be inherent in the personality of the individual, or others can teach it.

For instance, if somebody is taught that diving is an "every man for himself" sport, that you "can't help somebody deep," that "my gas is my gas," or "know when to leave your buddy," then that is somebody you do not want to be in the water with. Some people are natural strokes, but all too many are created. Unfortunately, people believe best what they hear first, and given the low-level food chain structure of dive instruction, most strokes are man-made, and are then hard to fix.

Obvious strokes are not so bad - you can see them and you know to avoid them. Frequently they will give it away with their choice of gear and gear configuration. If you see something that is a complete mess, makes no sense, is less than optimal, or is designed to accommodate some phobia while ignoring all else, you are dealing with a stroke. If the stroke is pontificating about how he can "handle" deep air diving, or obsessing about depth, or appears to be trying to compensate for internal fears, this is an obvious stroke and you merely avoid them.

The really insidious strokes are those who pretend to be squared away, but are in this game for all the wrong reasons. Usually they wish to prove something to themselves or others, or to overcome some internal fears. These tend to try to do things that they are not ready to do, and when something goes wrong, they flee for their lives.

Diving is not an intuitive thing. It is not a natural thing. Natural reactions of human beings on dry land do not work underwater. To be a good diver, you have to control your natural responses, and know that they can only hurt you, not help you. A stroke cannot do that. A stroke is driven by fear, ego, bull**** and self-concern.

 

[sharpenu]

I think WKPP owes it's remarkable safety record only indirectly to DIR. Any system would have (IMO) produced the same results for one reason: WKPP has instituted a STRICT guideline based on the conditions they work in, and anyone who departs from that standard finds himself without a job. Read the report from DAN on diving fatalities and you will see that almost every death was because of a diver departing from accepted practice. If the agencies of IANTD, NAUI, PADI, etc. could permanantly revoke the certs of divers who violate policy, they would also have stellar safety records, IMHO.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by NetDoc
Copied from a web page ( http://www.pina3.net/dive/stroke.htm )and attributed to GI3... enjoy!

WHAT IS A STROKE ?
(written by George Irvine)

Thanks Pete

 

[JustAddWater]

Good article! By that definition I guess my buddies and I aren't strokes.

 

[sharpenu]

To JustAddWater:

Actually, according to his definition, a stroke. He said (on the link)

"Frequently they will give it away with their choice of gear and gear configuration. If you see something that is a complete mess, makes no sense, is less than optimal"

According to his philosophy, if you aren't outfitted to DIR standards, you are not in an optimal configuration and are a stroke. And rule #1 is "Don't dive with strokes" That is my chief problem with DIR. It is an all or nothing system and allows no flexibility or adjustment to local conditions. Even to the point of specifying the location and number of D rings and where you carry your flashlights.