How do you define what makes a good diver

[Diver0001]

I guess I am feeling a bit Barny Fife like this morning and want to "NIP IT IN THE BUD!!! NIP IT!! NIP IT!! NIP IT!! But Leah . . :no :no .NIP IT!!

I suppose I'm the only one here who doesn't know who Barny Fife is... but I understand what you mean. I agree with you about the potential for discussions to be derailed like this so out of respect for you I'll go back and edit my last post and take out the names. I stand by what I said but it's clear that you're concerned about the tread taking a negative tangent and that's more imporant to me.

Having said that, I guess in a general sense you can say that a requirement of a good buddy is respect and a "we" feeling as opposed to the divisiveness of ego tripping and the "me me me" mentality.

R..

 

[427Dave]

This is a great thread. I do not have anything else to ad, I think it has been covered very well. I believe the reason I tell everyone that I am just an average diver is that I believe you should keep learning all the time. I am old enough that I still do NOT believe I know enough about diving, or anything else! I am constantly wanting to learn more. Some one said you have to grow old, but you do not have to grow up, therefore feed me more.

Five Stars!

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

I suppose I'm the only one here who doesn't know who Barny Fife is... but I understand what you mean. I agree with you about the potential for discussions to be derailed like this so out of respect for you I'll go back and edit my last post and take out the names. I stand by what I said but it's clear that you're concerned about the tread taking a negative tangent and that's more imporant to me.

Having said that, I guess in a general sense you can say that a requirement of a good buddy is respect and a "we" feeling as opposed to the divisiveness of ego tripping and the "me me me" mentality.

R..

Barney Fife is a lovable foolish character from the Andy Griffith show from the 1960’s era. He was a bumbling deputy sheriff who was only allowed to carry one bullet and had to keep the bullet in his pocket. He often almost shot himself in the foot when his one bullet was allowed to be in his gun. He was a sweet endearing character prone to over react in a foolish but bold manner.

Some of his lines from the show have endured and become catch phrases in American pop culture. “Nip it in the bud” is one of those phrases that has out lived both the show and the man who played Barney.

Although Barney was a bumbling fool, the sheriff Andy, never made fun or Barney or put him down. He always sought to work with Barney’s weakness and foolishness and lift Barney up. Andy was the one who always saved the day, but most of the time Andy set it up to make Barney look and feel good—he let Barney take the credit and feel like a big man. Andy did not need to make him self look good and others look bad in order to feel like a man. Andy made others look good—even when they did not deserve it.

Fife was played by the late Don Knots.

Thank you for your concern and willingness to edit the post. It means a great deal to me that you have shown such respect and deference to me. I truly appreciate it Diver0001. If you lived closer I would give you a big hug and then take you diving!! LOL

 

[pilot fish]

This is an interesting and important topic so I share your wish that it stay on topic. It was a good move that you tried to catch it early from degenerating into an agency dump. good luck.

 

[almitywife]

..... I specifically asked what you think it takes to make a person a good diver in your own words .....

on my local forum is a guy that on screen annoys the heck out of more people than not. its just the way he comes across.

i spent about a year hating the guy and every post by him had me pounding the keyboard before i hit the delete button as it just wasnt worth it

and about a year ago i met the guy

and about six months ago i dived with the guy

and yesterday i was standing at a dive site defending him and what i said yesterday was that he is a "very knowledgable man when it comes to diving and very gracious with his skills, training and knowledge and has alot of time for someone that wants to learn more or dive better".

i would not call him a friend but he is someone that i think adds alot to my local diving community.

cheers

 

[ArcticDiver]

on my local forum is a guy that on screen annoys the heck out of more people than not. its just the way he comes across.

i spent about a year hating the guy and every post by him had me pounding the keyboard before i hit the delete button as it just wasnt worth it

and about a year ago i met the guy

and about six months ago i dived with the guy

and yesterday i was standing at a dive site defending him and what i said yesterday was that he is a "very knowledgable man when it comes to diving and very gracious with his skills, training and knowledge and has alot of time for someone that wants to learn more or dive better".

i would not call him a friend but he is someone that i think adds alot to my local diving community.

cheers

This is in the same vein as my posts where I refused to comment on someone since I had not met them, or dived with them.

Too often we succumb to the appeal that gossip seems to hold for humans. As a result we make judgements that affect us and them and sometimes others and that more often than not are totally wrong.

To me a good diver is a professional. As a professional the diver has respect for themself and those around them, human and non-human. A professional is always learning and helping others learn the technical skills necessary to master the sport. A professional has no need to make themself look better by putting others down. A professional enjoys the sport, is having fun and it shows.

 

[DOkie]

Maybe this has already been said, and I apologize if you don't feel that it really relates to this thread, but here's a couple of things that I have observed from diving with A LOT of different divers. (Same buddy - just some things I've noticed on the boat from other divers). The "good" divers are usually pretty quiet - meaning they don't brag about how deep they've been, or what conditions they've dove under, what new equipment they've purchased... And as dumb as this may sound, I've noticed they also don't fall all over themselves to "help" you get your gear on. They realize that you have a system and don't interfere unless asked. (I really hate it when folks are trying to "put my gear on me".

 

[OHGoDive]

Now that you've been reading over this thread, what have you pulled from it? Based upon what's been posted so far, how would you, yourself, now define a good diver?

 

[Seadeuce]

Great thread!

Having read it all I agree with 90% of the postings on a Good Diver.

FWIW IMO a good diver:


Is not one who can get out of a situation, but one who doesn't get into a situation.

Knows enough to know he doesn't know enough.

Understands what is happening physiologically to his body when underwater, no matter what the profile/depth/current, and can naturally compensate for same.

Safety and people first.




.02c

Seadeuce

 

[Humble older aquaman]

Away for the weekend, just catching up.

Good questions, and quotes, should they be rated? Enduring questions and quotes are rated by their longevity, IE if we still remember them, use them, they have merit, rank. The quality and attention a question and quote gets via a "star" system might be has much or more about popularity of subject or person than about content and usefulness...difficult to nail down to black/white terms.

Simple your question, far reaching the thought...good stuff by most standards. My rating for this is the highest my brief experience at SB can give, this is my 3rd comment/post on your introspective foray into information gathering. The post, and thoughtful answers have made many look into themselves and others. The gear heavy activity has brought in more brain discussion than equipment, not an easy task. It's not bogged down with age or experience, keeping the hope alive for all regardless of age or experience, we can give and take something for all of us.

I dare say most post on this SB are more about specifics, which is required, and quite helpful. Few can boast the complete appeal your missive commands.

The line about not needing any badges can be used here...don't need a poll or rating. This question/thread is up there, I've enjoyed it, and look forward to more from you and others. Stars are things in the sky, my words to you are right here on our water planet...much closer to home, and mean oh so much more!

Hoa!