How do you define what makes a good diver

[DennisW]

Wonderful thread and I am sure I can't add to the things that make a good diver. Unfortunately, I don't get to dive as much as I want, so I am not a good diver, just an average one. I do know my limitations and my abilities. When I was diving a lot, meaning proficient, I believe I was a good diver.

The same basic thought processess go with being a good pilot.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Great thread with some terrific posts! I agree with Ber that there are some people you can watch in the water and you just know.

 

[IXΘYΣ]

This is a good thread! I think what I see coming through is that a good diver is a good, responsible person who is also skilled at diving.
I like that.

 

[TSandM]

Wow . . . Walter, Ber and Rick have really said it all.

I look over the lists, and realize how incredibly fortunate I am that my regular dive buddies fill virtually all those criteria.

 

[diver 85]

Wow . . . Walter, Ber and Rick have really said it all.

I look over the lists, and realize how incredibly fortunate I am that my regular dive buddies fill virtually all those criteria.

TSandM, I'm assuming you will not make a dive unless it's with a 'regular dive buddy'...Am I correct???...

 

[captain]

Great thread!
I don't get to dive as much as I did in the past so as the saying goes, the older I get the better I was. I can't say I'm a great diver now or ever was but I strive to be one.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

"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

That is an awesome quote.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Skills notwithstanding, I think a good diver is one who is capable of being invisible in the water. Someone who can view the underwater world without making an impact on it. In order to float motionless off the bottom and not touch a reef, wreck or animal requires situational awareness, buoyancy skills and a comfort zone, all of which come from training and experience. Wild animals are naturally curious. One of my favorite things to do underwater is remain as still as possible and have fish, octopus, lobsters, seals and sea lions slowly approach and touch me. Too many divers I see are swimming by as fast as possible to see everything. They end up missing 99% of what is out there.

 

[Teamcasa]

Wonderful thread and I am sure I can't add to the things that make a good diver. Unfortunately, I don't get to dive as much as I want, so I am not a good diver, just an average one. I do know my limitations and my abilities. When I was diving a lot, meaning proficient, I believe I was a good diver.

The same basic thought processess go with being a good pilot.

Terrific responses so far.

For me, it’s accepting responsibility for my own actions, no matter the consequence. I would enjoy diving with an experienced diver that can actually admit he still needs more skills. Self aggrandizement has always been a tip off to be wary of.

Dave

 

[fairybasslet]

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.

Did I really leave out a number? Maybe my boss walked by in the middle of my typing and I lost track of where I was.
I have to agree about being able to swim and feeling comfortable in the water, but free diving is whole different animal. I don't really like it because I can't equalize quickly sometimes.