How to have a great dive

[MXGratefulDiver]

I remember this woman who, as a new diver, couldn't descend to the bottom without landing tank-first on her back. She couldn't get within 20 feet of the surface without somehow going all the way. But she still had fun ... and usually came out of the water talking about what a great dive she had.

But she had a lot more fun once she started learning how to control her position in the water, and gained the confidence to start experimenting with new skills and gear. The more she learned, the greater her excitement level became. Now she's a very experienced diver, and derives excitement from sharing what she's learned with others.

Great dives are what you make of them ... and they can happen at any level.

But I do think that the more comfortable we are with our skills, the easier it is to have a great dive. And the more confident we become, the easier it is to feel a sense of excitement (rather than trepidation) at trying new things.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Pullmyfinger]

I can't believe that someone can write a post on the importance of knowing your equipment, actually using gas planning as part of dive planning, being skilled, emphasizing the importance of safety, and exercizing good judgement. And there will be people here that will take issue with it.
Sort of odd.
I know there are some fans of the minimum standard on the board,but seriously.
Taking issue with these basic elements of diving????

Great post TS&M.

-Mitch

 

[Peter Guy]

Gee Bob, who could that diver be?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Gee Bob, who could that diver be?

Someone you know rather well ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[mdb]

I can't believe that someone can write a post on the importance of knowing your equipment, actually using gas planning as part of dive planning, being skilled, emphasizing the importance of safety, and exercizing good judgement. And there will be people here that will take issue with it.
Sort of odd.
I know there are some fans of the minimum standard on the board,but seriously.
Taking issue with these basic elements of diving????

Great post TS&M.

-Mitch

Mitch: TS&M does have a great post and it all is true. My comments are just to encourage the new diver not to think they need all these skills etc. going into the experience. I think NWGD summed it all up fairly well-as usual.

I am not any fan of minimum standards-quite the opposite in fact.

 

[Hepcat62]

Mitch: TS&M does have a great post and it all is true. My comments are just to encourage the new diver not to think they need all these skills etc. going into the experience. I think NWGD summed it all up fairly well-as usual.

Agreed. I think the important part is that we DO encourage new divers to try and acquire/develop those skills, no matter which route they decide to take for doing so...

These skills are - IMO - unquestionably useful. People can debate whether or not they're NECESSARY, but there's no question that developing them can help make diving a lower-stress, higher-fun activity.

 

[Teamcasa]

... but there's no question that developing them can help make diving a lower-stress, higher-fun activity.

Agreed! It's the process of developing those skills that adds fun for many new divers.

 

[Selchie in LB]

Great post TSandM! I for one appreciate the wisdom of experienced divers. Thanks to their posts I have gained so much knowledge. I tend to take my diving as serious fun. It is serious to know how to control my buoyancy and where all of my dumps are. It is serious to know how to adjust a free flowing octo so you don't have to scrub a dive or worse get into a deadly situation during a dive. I didn't know you could practice while diving! What a concept.

To other noobies, no you don't need to have all the skills to a T, but knowing the basics can make diving more fun. Diving with more experienced divers who practice skills has allowed me to work on my skills and gain confidence.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Everything that Lynne talked about is basic stuff. It is what many of us here on this board try to do with our OW students. Get them interested in diving by giving them a solid foundation in the basics. As many dives as some people have and they still NEED not WANT the services of a DM or guide is a sorry commentary on the dive industry. Buoyancy, trim, knowing your gear, simple navigation, and good judgment are not beyond the abilities of an OW diver. They are only when instructors fail to give them a foundation in those areas. Whether by choice or by the simple fact they themselves do not possess those qualities to pass on.

I have been asked by a member here on this board why some insist on keeping new divers in the dark. Telling them they cannot do this or that. That what really are basic skills are deemed too difficult for new divers. And when someone points out that it is possible and even deisrable to get out from under the thumb of some DM or guide that they are attacked and their methods derided.

I have no answer because none of what Lynne noted are so-called technical or even advanced skills in most recreational environments. Including cold water, low vis, or a little current. They could, can, and are being taught to OW divers who find an instructor with the patience, time, and skill to teach them. The conditions that Lynne described as far as temps are not unusual in much of my area and lo and behold there are OW divers out there diving without some pro watching over them. They don't need or in some cases want one to. I train divers to not rely on a DM or Guide and in fact to treat them as someone who will not take care of them. To be self sufficient. To dive according to their training and experience and use their own judgment.

I would be willing to bet that more than a few of Peter's OW students given a few extra dives and some pointers along with a drysuit could have had just as successful a dive day as they did. Maybe a little more benign site and maybe with a plan that required not straying overly far from the boat but they don't need some babysitter with a negative opinion of their skill hovering over them.

I want to see OW divers who know what questions to ask, know what their skills are, and are able to decide where they want to dive, for how long, and if the guide does something they don't like- ignore him and dive their plan. They just need to know what they are not being told and what questions they need to ask. Some of us are willing to tell them those things without making em take an extra class. A solid foundation is not built in a weekend.

 

[kanonfodr]

I'd like to include another tip on something I feel can help make a great dive: Share the love, man!!

This weekend I was diving with a friend of mine who is still pretty new to the waters here. On our dives we experienced fantastic viz (100+), calm seas, amazing creatures, and whale songs. Each time my dive buddy experienced something that was new to her, it made me feel good inside. And it was also really nice when she pointed out something to me so we could experience it together, I might have missed those moments otherwise.

So she was screaming and laughing through her regulator lots, but that's how she shows her enjoyment. And it made me feel good, that she was having a great time. It made my dives that much better.

Peace,
Greg