How do you define what makes a good diver

[DarthWader]

Everyone's about covered what I was going to say, but as a complete newbie to this sport, What I've set for myself this coming year is a lot of emphasis on basic skills, situationally attuned, better understanding of my limitations and the strength to work within them (just say no). I'm not sure how to state this, but I want to be able to keep my head in a clutch so that I can be a reliable and responsible buddy.
and then there's all the ancillary reading during my surface intervals. . .

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Leah ... I love the post and the great responses. Five stars from me!

 

[Rick Murchison]

I know them when I see them at the dive site:

Their gear isn't scattered hither and yon, they work from a compact area and their gear is staged in a manner that will minimize dirt/sand exposure and tripping hazards.

They watch their surroundings and notice problems in the gearing up stage. When they see a potential problem with another diver they diplomatically and humbly address it. They know their gear and take the time to know their buddy's gear as well as paying attention to what other divers in the area are wearing "just in case."

Good divers will abort or change their dive plan when needed and they encourage their buddy's to do the same.

They answer questions and offer tips when asked and make other divers feel at ease with their calm and confident aura.

They are beautiful to watch in the water, you can LOOK at them and see that this is their element.

Their gear does not dangle and their kicks don't stir up the bottom or damage the dive site. They know where their body and their gear is in relation to anything that is near them.

They monitor and communicate with their buddy regularly, staying where they can see each other and easily reach one another in an emergency.

Good divers encourage others to be the best they can be and they help any way they can. They strive to improve their own skills and truly want to be the best diver they can be.

A good diver sets a good example for non-divers. They leave the dive site cleaner than they found it and they clean up their "camp" and the adjoining area.

Those divers are the one I admire and respect, they can have hundreds or thousands of dives or they can be new divers but I always know them when I see them.
Ber :lilbunny:

Excellent!
Rick

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

Disgusting, take yourself out and flog yourself with a soggy lettuce:14:

Lettuce would not produce enough pain to make me repent! Better use both my Scuba Pro Jets and my Scuba Pro Twin jets! I own both and love both--that is a flame war for another day!

I really am curious and would like those who think this is a terrible thread to express why?? Perhaps we can learn from your wisdom

 

[Rick Murchison]

... The diver and only the diver knows his limitations. Neither the captain nor the DM is responsible if I do something stupid. I'm responsible for my own actions and so is everyone else responsible for theirs. ...

Hear! Hear!
The good diver takes personal responsibility for not only his/her own safety, but for his/her own actions.
As we say in the boating world, "You are responsible for your own wake."
Rick

 

[Walter]

They are beautiful to watch in the water, you can LOOK at them and see that this is their element.

I love diving with those folks. It's a joy.

Ber, sometimes you amaze me. Beautiful post!

 

[diver 85]

To me, a good diver is one that makes a(planned) safe dive..A safe dive to me is a no decompression dive, one with good descent/ascent time, doesn't 'mess' the bottom up by displaying proper bouyancy skills, & returns to the boat with 500 psi(sorry, paid too many bar tabs in the old days to Spanish Cove, G.Cayman DM's...lol).....If you want to throw in what makes a good dive buddy, that's another sentence or 2.....btw, diving isn't that hard, some here want to make like it is, but it really isn't.........use your head & slow down UW......BTW, I was born in Greenville, SC, but only lived there 1 week so I don't remember much about it....lol.....

 

[Cacia]

"You are responsible for your own wake."

hey, I like that. I plan to replace "leave only bubbles" with this.

 

[Rick Murchison]

I really am curious and would like those who think this is a terrible thread to express why?? Perhaps we can learn from your wisdom ...

There are a great many folks in this world who attempt to "rise" not by their own accomplishments, but by tearing down others. They often hide behind terms like "fairness" or "equality" or "needs"... learn to ignore them.
This is a great subject and developing into a great thread with some really great insights.
"You done reeeel goood!"
Thanks.
Rick

 

[OHGoDive]

Great thoughts in here, some very eloquently presented.

To me, it seems that it comes down to one thought though, everything stemming from a single concept.

Awareness

The more aware you are of things while diving,
The more things you are aware of while diving,

The better the diver you are (or will become).