Do you consider yourself an 'Advanced' diver?

[tjmills]

I agree - if you haven't gone for a chamber ride yet, you're not "advanced".

I don't mean to offend but I think this response is completely irresponsible to say. Going to the chamber is no BADGE of HONOR for anyone and should not be promoted as some right of passage. It's not at all. Not Cool.

 

[Divmstr223]

Folks--here's another concept about an advanced diver. Let's make a rule: If SOMTHING hasn't gone wrong underwater in your presence, you aren't really advanced. Once you see how you react--then guage whether or not you're advanced.
Just throwing that out there. Not trying to be a jerk.

I don't think you really understand how far from the truth that statement really is...

If nothing bad has every happened to you underwater, you are most definitely doing the right things. Has absolutely nothing to do with being "Advanced" or someones preparedness when something does go wrong.

 

[MoonWrasse]

I don't mean to offend but I think this response is completely irresponsible to say. Going to the chamber is no BADGE of HONOR for anyone and should not be promoted as some right of passage. It's not at all. Not Cool.

No offense taken - it shouldn't be a badge of honor and something I'd never like to experience, nor am I trying to show any disrespect for those unfortunate enough to have had that experience.

IMO, trying to declare yourself as "advanced" is just silly. Personally I'd rather have a little less hubris and term myself as "somewhat experienced but still learning" so as to inject a bit of caution into my diving, and hopefully keep me from the chamber ride

 

[spectrum]

Advanced does not mean elite, nor does it mean you've reached the top of the mountain and there is no more to learn.....it pretty much means Intermediate, not a novice diver anymore.

Most of you probably do not give yourself enough credit, or don't have enough confidence in yourselves to consider yourself advanced....who knows..

To put my self evaluation into your context.......

I see myself wanting a few key pieces of training/ experience before I know I'm competent in the range I plan to dive. There is a part of that realm where by your definition I might just consider myself advanced.

Confidence is not an issue, if anything perhaps just the opposite.

If "it pretty much means Intermediate, not a novice diver anymore" is referencing the standards of typical AOW offerings I would put myself well into the advanced range however that is a bogus yardstick or more precicely a misnamed course.

Pete

 

[SteveDiver]

No offense taken - it shouldn't be a badge of honor and something I'd never like to experience, nor am I trying to show any disrespect for those unfortunate enough to have had that experience.

IMO, trying to declare yourself as "advanced" is just silly. Personally I'd rather have a little less hubris and term myself as "somewhat experienced but still learning" so as to inject a bit of caution into my diving, and hopefully keep me from the chamber ride

I agree 100%... why do some people get tied up in labeling??? it appears that it is an insecurity issue that one has to be "advanced" "the best" etc... no offense. I do not get it, who cares really??? Just dive have fun and know that we are all one.

 

[Divmstr223]

To put my self evaluation into your context.......

I see myself wanting a few key pieces of training/ experience before I know I'm competent in the range I plan to dive. There is a part of that realm where by your definition I might just consider myself advanced.

Confidence is not an issue, if anything perhaps just the opposite.

If "it pretty much means Intermediate, not a novice diver anymore" is referencing the standards of typical AOW offerings I would put myself well into the advanced range however that is a bogus yardstick or more precicely a misnamed course.

Pete

I certainly did not mean once you've taken and Advanced course or have done a few dives you should consider yourself "Advanced".

I stated in my first post why I consider myself "Advanced", everyone feels differently about what they consider "Advanced" to be.

 

[Skeeter1097]

I am a novest. but someday I well be a more noledgeable diver. As every dive I lern more and thangs hapen. I've not been able to dive for a mounth as this bug has a hold on me. More fun more peasefuly moments. advanced more thin the first dive, and the first 10. but I hope to advance to 1000's. That sounds like a goul.

 

[ghostdiver1957]

Hmmm, I'm an Advanced Open Water Instructor... This means I am certified to teach new divers not only Open Water, but also a number of specialties. These specialties include Deep, Wreck, Night/Limited Visability and others. I suppose based on my current level of training and the trust placed in me by the Agency, that some would consider me an advanced diver. To me, the title and the experience gained taking these courses and subsequently teaching these courses is not what makes me an advanced diver. Unfortunately, many agencies allow people to progress up to Instructor positions without ever doing any real diving.

What makes me an advanced diver are the following... in no particular order.
1. Extensive low visability diving (less than 5'.) More than 200 dives in this environment
2. Extensive deep diving (including some in limited vis.) More than 100 deep dives
3. Extensive Experience in a wide variety of Open Water Conditions... Strong Currents, Strong Surge, 4-8 foot seas, Wall dives, Drift Dives, Wreck Dives, Cavern Dives and Blue Water Dives (no reference points)
4. Self Rescue and other Diver Rescues Performed (4.)
5. Extensive Night Diving Experience (More than 50 dives)
6. Extensive Cold Water Experience (below 45F.) More than 300 dives
7. Dry Suit Experience
8. Liveaboard Experience
9. Dives conducted in Quarries, Lakes, Harbors, Rivers and Oceans (mixed Experiences)

I'd say if you can match all of these things to some extent, you can call yourself an advanced diver. If you've just taken classes and dove in your local quarry or lake... you're not even close to being ready for that title.

 

[divermatt]

Hi. is a chamber ride what I think it is? How many people actually end up in a decompression chamber? Anyone want to share stories? I don't think I'd want to dive with the sort of person who has generated a term for their trips to a hyperbaric chamber--I mean if you go so frequently that you've coined a phrase for it...Stay away from me...

 

[garyfotodiver]

Call yourself whatever you want but you've done what you've done. I have about every certification that exists and I've done some fairly advanced dives but I know divers with a thousand times the experience I have so...what does it mean to be "advanced"? Campared to what? You can be very experienced in one environment or activity but a complete newb in another.

What's the goal here? Are we trying to qualify for a title or are we trying to get good at something we like doing for the sake of safety and enjoyment?

I read this thread up to Mike's post. I agree with him. Call me a Scuba Diver.

My training in 1970 was more intense that my daughter's in 2003. I was on a NJ wreck in 110fsw after about a dozen or so dives. When I picked up diving again in 1995, I took a PADI refresher course, mainly to learn about the equipment changes.

Now, in my middle age, I have additional certifications and I intend to do more. But the one thing I am proudest of is this; the captains of the boats I dive on ask me to take out newly certified divers.

But I am just a recreational diver.