biggest issues diving as a female

[Scubafitravers]

I'm an instructor, I am constantly questioned by men who think they know better than me because I am a young woman (I'm talking about OW students who put on a BCD for the first time 1 hour ago). I've also had customers comment on my body or make mermaid signs at me underwater. Hard to harass women underwater but they have somehow figured it out. I would say the hardest part is trying to be taken seriously in a male dominated industry!

 

[happy-diver]

I would suggest that those have a particular stupidity they apply to both sexes also on land

Also they're not men


Is it ok to say both sexes

 

[Kimela]

I'm an instructor, I am constantly questioned by men who think they know better than me because I am a young woman (I'm talking about OW students who put on a BCD for the first time 1 hour ago). I've also had customers comment on my body or make mermaid signs at me underwater. Hard to harass women underwater but they have somehow figured it out. I would say the hardest part is trying to be taken seriously in a male dominated industry!

What is a “mermaid sign”?

 

[Scubafitravers]

What is a “mermaid sign”?

I should have explained that! It is not an official dive sign of course, but when someone gestures an hourglass figure that is supposed to mean "mermaid".

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

I should have explained that! It is not an official dive sign of course, but when someone gestures an hourglass figure that is supposed to mean "mermaid".

Jesus Christ.

 

[Joneill]

I should have explained that! It is not an official dive sign of course, but when someone gestures an hourglass figure that is supposed to mean "mermaid".

Never heard of or saw anyone use a sign like that…

 

[Scubafitravers]

Never heard of or saw anyone use a sign like that…

You learn something new every day.

 

[rx7diver]

I should have explained that! It is not an official dive sign of course, but when someone gestures an hourglass figure that is supposed to mean "mermaid".

Hmmm. I've always believed that the hourglass gesture means "beautiful, curvaceous woman" (ETA: ... as inappropriate/insensitive as that gesture might be!). For example, watch from timestamp ~01:40 here:

rx7diver

 

[Joneill]

You learn something new every day.

Not something I need to learn - was just commenting that the “sign” you mentioned is not common. In fact, I’ve never seen anything like that used any place I’ve been so far.

 

[Tracy]

I'm an instructor, I am constantly questioned by men who think they know better than me ...

It is an unfortunate truth.
My wife is an engineer / boat captain / tech diver. She lives in a male dominated world in every aspect of her life.
She used to mention that she doesn't have to be as good as me running the boat, she has to be perfect. Many coming aboard automatically assume she will be incompetent, they don't have that attitude when I run the boat.
I didn't see it at first, but over the years watching her running the boat when I am crewing instead of captaining, she is spot on. Every decision she makes is second guessed and questioned. Nobody does that to me.
I don't know what the answer is or if there is one, but I believe what you are saying and it sucks.