How do you define what makes a good diver

[D_B]

I've enjoyed reading the responses to your question, Leah, and in your other threads as well ... good discussion, ideas, and thoughtful people, in them all .. you get my vote :14:

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

The problem with the original post is that "good diver" is undefined.

I think that was the point of the thread ... and what makes this discussion so interesting ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[OHGoDive]

I'm scratching my head, and thinking that there seem to be two different things being discussed here: The spiritual and personality qualities of a diver one would respect, and the skills and resources of a technically fine diver.

The problem with the original post is that "good diver" is undefined.

I think that you're right, or at least on to something here.

The problem is, that "diving" isn't a single skill, or even a single set of skills, that can be objectively evaluated and graded. It is made up of many individual skills, which can be combined in a myriad of ways to produce an enjoyable experience. A good diver can be the weekend warrior, the warm water vacation diver, the famous deep water explorer, to the finest technical caver ever to get wet. They can all be "good divers". But, to say any one of them is, grammar aside, more good, isn't possible.

Like Leah said about two people having two different perceptions of the exact same diver, I'm beginning to think that a good diver is a diver who most embodies the attributes, traits and skills that a person finds most admirable (and enviable).

If that is true, then not only is "good diver" singularly undefinable, but everyones definition of a "good diver" will evolve and change as their own skills and goals evolve and change. The ultimate moving target.

This has been a fun thread, we need more like them.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

What prompted my question to start this thread is that I was talking with someone locally about another diver that I personally know only through the online boards. I said, "I heard you went diving with so and so." They person replied, "Yes" and then I asked since it is a person I know only through the boards, "What is the diver like in person?" To which I got the reply, "So and so is a terrible diver!" Well, then a few weeks later, I bump into someone else and I have heard that they have been in the water with the same diver that was discussed with the other person and I ask again what that diver is like and I get a reply from the 2nd person that I had this discussion with that "so and so diver is GREAT! I loved being in the water with them! They were so helpful!! Really know their stuff and just a pleasure to dive with!! I look forward to diving with them again!! You have really got to meet so and so and go diving with them!"

Two different people went diving with so and so and both defined them on opposite ends of the scale. How they rated the other diver both gave me insight into the other diver as well as the person giving the rating.

Ah, but now you are discussing not what makes a good diver, but what makes a good dive buddy. The answer there includes compatibility. Regardless of skill or personality ... and I know regular buddy teams that are incredibly incompatible from a personality perspective ... comfort in the water with the person you're diving with is a HUGE factor in your perspective of that person as a diver.

When people dive together, they are entering a trust relationship ... that's what's missing in "buddy of circumstance" situations, and why you see so many people complaining about them.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

PS - Leah ... don't worry about the stars. SB has become predominantly a chat board, rather than the discussion forum that it once was. That atmosphere has attracted a lot of posters who participate not to contribute, but to get a rise out of people. I suspect all the one-star ratings were done just for that reason ... to tick people off. Don't feed the trolls, it only encourages them. To my concern, they could remove the rating system from the board altogether and most of the people who contribute substance here wouldn't even notice.

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

Ah, but now you are discussing not what makes a good diver, but what makes a good dive buddy.

I don't know that either diver that rated so and so was paired off with so and so, but rather their thoughts seemed to come from being on the boat and talking with so and so and from watching so and so in the water.

 

[in_cavediver]

To answer the question with regards to 'good' and 'great' and GI3/Gillam. There are a few 'Great' divers. These are individuals who have mastered/achieved success in the most difficult endeavors. The 'good' divers are the ones that you would be happy to send a loved one/child with. They are not neccessarly one and the same.

 

[ArcticDiver]

Thanks for the thread. You are absolutely correct. There are different definitions of what a "good diver" is. If you go back through the archives you may find a couple of other threads that discussed the same subject. But none as good as this thread.

Once one adjusts their mind to the ideas of Complimentary Attributes and Professionalism it isn't as hard to define the term Good Diver as one might think.

Certainly it is important for a diver, or a person in any other skill, to have as much mastery of the technical skills as they can. In that respect there will always be people who fall at all points on the skill measurement line. But, this is also but one factor in determining who is really good and who is not.

On the other hand a Professional, not refering to income derived, has proficiency in the technical skills and compliments them with respect for others and the world. This respect permeates everything they do. They are the people who take responsibility for their actions.

Professionals do their best to understand the folks around them and to see the world through their eyes before making judgements. They are egotistical enough to believe they are on the right track and humble enough to listen to and absorb others' ideas. They change their behaviour based on their understanding of the best information available. Professionals are never satisfied with the status quo. They are always seeking to be better and for the people around them to be better in every way also.

Many times Professionals are not easy to get along with because they have strong personalities. They believe they have The Answer, and they do.

Me? I'm still trying.

 

[verybaddiver]

Apart from the obvious good skills/major experience

I would add, one who listens to everything people tell him/her, is always open to new ideas, and will happily change their current ideas if new ideas may benefit them, but takes nothing in stone.
This would mean i regard JJ very highly, as although he has a very good system, he is always open to ideas that he feels may benefit the system. Bad divers are ones who are taught things originally then will argue black is white that the original thing they were taught it CORRECT! A diver on another forum posted that is was pointless using a wing with a dry suit, BECAUSE THE dry suit controlled bouyancy. I'm all for people who use the drysuit for bouyancy (each to their own) but having things set in stone is stupid

 

[Thalassamania]

To answer the question with regards to 'good' and 'great' and GI3/Gillam. There are a few 'Great' divers. These are individuals who have mastered/achieved success in the most difficult endeavors. The 'good' divers are the ones that you would be happy to send a loved one/child with. They are not neccessarly one and the same.

I'd send my son with George or Bret without any concern. I know that they have the excess capacity to look after themselves and him.

 

[in_cavediver]

I'd send my son with George or Bret without any concern. I know that they have the excess capacity to look after themselves and him.

I agree on the technical side, my personal concerns are regarding the attitdue side. Again, this is purely one component of my definition of a good diver.