How do you define what makes a good diver

[Walter]

Are you sure you don't want an agency answer? LOL! I loved reading your post!

OK, off the top of my head:
A good diver thinks.
A good diver is not overly equipment dependent.
A good diver can swim.
A good diver can free dive as well as SCUBA dive.
A good diver is extremely comfortable in the water.
A good diver is comfortable without a mask. Other than the inability to see clearly, the absence of a mask makes no difference.
A good diver understands the panic cycle and how to break it.
A good diver is always looking out for other divers in his group, especially his buddy.
A good diver is very familiar with his equipment.
A good diver has his gear streamlined with no danglies.
A good diver has a well stocked save-a-dive kit.
A good diver learns from his mistakes.
A good diver accepts responsibility for his mistakes.
A great diver learns from the mistakes of others.
A good diver looks for opportunities to learn and not just from more experienced divers, from new divers as well.
A good diver has good skills.
A good diver has good trim.
A great diver recognizes that good trim is usually, but not always horizontal.
A good diver has several kicks in his bag of tricks.
A good diver practices skills often.
A good diver fine tunes buoyancy with breathing patterns.
A good diver is rarely over weighted and when he is, there is a specific reason (carrying 4 lbs for an inexperienced buddy).
A good diver maintains his gear and inspects it for problems frequently.
A good diver knows his limits.
A good diver listens to local divers.
A good diver knows he's a newbie when in new situations/areas.
A good diver dives.

 

[fairybasslet]

Why should a good scuba diver also be a good freediver, Walter? And do you mean those extreme freedivers who go over fsw? I can snorkle and dive to maybe 20 ft. but I would never consider myself a free diver.

And to answer the OP's question, pretty much what others have said, situational awareness, buoyancy, yada yada

 

[lisajade]

I fully admit I am a new diver but to me a good diver is someone who knows his/her limitations, remembers the basics on every dive, continues the quest for knowledge and makes an effort to improve their diving no matter what skill level they may be at.

 

[Walter]

Why should a good scuba diver also be a good freediver, Walter? And do you mean those extreme freedivers who go over fsw? I can snorkle and dive to maybe 20 ft. but I would never consider myself a free diver.

A house is built on a solid foundation. The foundation for SCUBA is swimming and free diving. I don't mean extreme freediving. I'm not sure how to answer, "do you mean those extreme freedivers who go over feet of sea water?" Did you leave out a number? I believe depth is less important than skill and technique. Depth will come with skill and technique if practiced.

 

[Spongebobscubasteve]

Someone who is comfortable in the water. Calm and aware of potential dangers at all times. That is why I am so happy with my SO being my dive buddy, where as I am the more reckless one, he always takes the time to think things through and make sure he has all angles covered. I am usually the one going "hell yeah!" in 16 meter swell and 5 meter viz! LOL! I am glad I have him to watch my back.

 

[fisherdvm]

Someone who knows when NOT to dive.

That is a very smart comment. Pushing the limit is what gets us in trouble. A boat captain or DM that allows someone to go beyond their limit is just as liable as the diver who doesn't know his limit.

 

[Vayu]

Awareness.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

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:

 

[Walter]

A boat captain or DM that allows someone to go beyond their limit is just as liable as the diver who doesn't know his limit.

That's ridiculous. 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. Stop passing the buck.

 

[Rick Murchison]

First and foremost, attitude ... a good diver is someone who starts out WANTING to be a good diver. That comes from within. Skills can be learned ... attitude cannot.

A good diver is someone who's yearning to learn, and always seeks to improve his or her knowledge and skill level. They also have developed a notion of where their skill level lies with respect to the type of diving they're doing, and recognize their limitations.

A good diver is someone who has learned how to overcome the "tunnel vision" that comes from placing a scuba mask on your face, andd maintains an awareness of what's going on around them during a dive.

A good diver is someone who works at improving their basic skills, makes an effort to be a conscientious dive buddy (when they have a dive buddy), and is considerate of both the dive site and other divers who are using it.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Yes, yes... good stuff here...
I may say it a little differently, but I think Bob's captured the essence...
My list is in no particular order - all are important.

1. Generosity. A good diver wants to share the wonder.

2. Knowledge. A good diver knows his/her stuff. Diving stuff. Diving equipment stuff. Critter stuff. Safety stuff. Weather stuff. Physics stuff. Medical stuff. Local stuff. Boat stuff... etc.

3. Preparation. A good diver researches the site, the place, the culture, the weather; A good diver plans the dive in detail with his/her buddy/team. A good diver brings the things he/she needs, including "niceties" to share... a melon, a pineapple...

4. Discipline. A good diver sticks with the plan to the extent possible. A good diver sticks with his/her buddy/team. A good diver abides by local laws, regulations, customs & conventions.

5. Awareness/Attentiveness. A good diver is aware of people, weather, the sea, as well as the critters around him/her. A good diver is aware of his/her own position in the water, on the boat, in the group.

6. Determination. A good diver makes lemonade from lemons. If the vis is bad, the good diver finds the marvels in the little stuff, etc. If the whole day's diving is blown out by weather, socialize with happiness and enthusiasm; start planning the next trip.

7. Decisiveness/vision. A good diver makes decisions and follows through. A good diver doesn't waste everyone's time trying to figure out what's next. A good diver sees the need for a decision in advance and is ready to make the decision when it's needed.

8. Skill. Precise buoyancy control, trim and maneuvering ability are absolute requirements for the good diver.

9. Leadership. A good diver can take charge without being overbearing.

10. Wingmanship. A good diver can follow a leader happily.

11. A sense of humor.

And my favorite catch-all... We are Flexible, Responsive and Enthusiastic! A good diver has a burning desire to be a good diver and to help everyone around him/her to have that same burning desire for the underwater world and all the things associated with seeing and enjoying it.

Rick

"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." --Robert Heinlein