Good divers keep learning

[billt4sf]

So...what did you learn most recently?

I had been struggling a bit with back-rolls. Some went fine, others I got turned around and struggled to get up, sometimes hitting someone or the boat. And I could not determine why!

I finally learned to DO LESS and accomplish more. I finally realized somehow that in some rolls I was pushing back too much. Instead I just want to fall backwards (remembering to take my long legs with me) so that when I hit the water, my back is parallel to it. Then do nothing and I pop up easily.

And you? What new things have you learned recently?

- Bill

 

[Oz Chris]

Recently went diving with a new buddy who dives with a pony (and no occy). Did an experiment of him passing me the pony as a simulated OOA situation. He was keen to practice dealing with the change in buoyancy (esp at 5 metres at the end of a dive). Totally new experience for me - handing it over, clipping it off, switching to the odd reg, rebalancing my buoyancy (cocked that last one up big time).

 

[TMHeimer]

As my diving is pretty much to the same sites year over year (and almost all solo shore), I haven't really learned anything major new. Every once in a while I come to realize that I could do something a little easier & quicker, either while diving or gearing up, down or rinsing/storing gear. "Why didn't I do that all those years"?

 

[Diver0001]

To me teaching is the main way I keep my basic skills sharp.

Last time I took a course was a couple of years ago. I do occasionally practice CBL's with my regular buddy because it's different in technical gear and I don't get to practice this any other time.

R..

 

[TrimixToo]

I have been focusing more on learning about theoretical aspects of diving than on in-water skills for a few years now. Thanks largely to Simon Mitchell (including pointers to papers he's posted) I know a lot more now than a couple of years ago.

I'm hoping to focus more on in-water skills next year and get Full Cave, but we'll see...

 

[wKkaY]

I'm new to doubles and encountered my first problem in them - I was in very shallow water exiting the shore, and I couldn't stand up because my fins were digging into the sand. Took my fins off and I got pinned horizontally by the weight of the tanks. After thrashing about a bit I finally got myself vertical and standing. I'll definitely get out earlier, in neck-deep water, next time.

 

[TMHeimer]

I'm new to doubles and encountered my first problem in them - I was in very shallow water exiting the shore, and I couldn't stand up because my fins were digging into the sand. Took my fins off and I got pinned horizontally by the weight of the tanks. After thrashing about a bit I finally got myself vertical and standing. I'll definitely get out earlier, in neck-deep water, next time.

Yeah, you don't need doubles to get in trouble taking fins off/on too early or too late. Depends on what's on the bottom, what tide it is, waves/surge, etc. Also, when to stand up while exiting to be most efficient and least likely to fall. Deciding to toss fins ashore to have two hands free, but making sure they do stay on dry land. I guess I'm always learning this stuff since conditions vary even at the same site.

 

[Saniflush]

Leaving for a cruise today where we will be diving in every port. learned my wife does not pack as lightly as what she should.

 

[drbill]

Heck, I have to keep learning to replace the skills I've already forgotten

 

[wildbill9]

Laugh all you want because it is so simple..... I like to take pictures but I had trouble remembering what dive site we were at. It was promulgated but my resident diving genius (my wife) "why don't you just take a pic of the dive briefing map the draw?".....duh! Ok, problem solved......