instant experts

[Wendy]

So are some of those newer divers (myself included) to take it that you are warning us about our thirst for knowledge and understanding and not getting in over our heads or is there a fear or concern about something else? I know (from what we have discussed before) you have been diving for a few years and have completed a few certs and are experienced in many ways of diving compared to the newbies, but without questioning and using the things we read/learn about (again here, from books, from diving (either doing or observing others) or from speaking to more experienced divers) to qualify our questions - how do we get the answers to the things that come up in our minds? What i mean is i could ask you about x, but we could have a 20 min discussion getting up to the answer if you try to explain the foundation of how to get there, which someone may have already told me, bypassing that part by using terminology and ideas that are expressed all over the place, typically shows an understanding of those ideas and allows the question to be answered. Yes one or two people do discuss things beyond their diving experience or skill level (again myself included), partly due to planning training, skills, reading, equipment purchases based upon common practices and whatnot that are discussed or researched again amongst the resources stated above of which SB is only a part. This tautological arguement could go on forever, you shouldnt know ....... at your stage, but you cant advance further when you are ready because no-one will discuss ..... with you.

Also, its almost de-rigeur, to have a thread taken off-topic somewhat, its already happened several times since the opening rant. BTW, i appreciate your POV and your advice and experience those times i have spoken with you (in person or on here) and one day might appreciate a dive if you are ever free - sometimes i come across a little abrasive on some posts.

Let me clarify my point a little further. Don't act like you know it all if you don't. Ask all the questions you want, become a good diver, learn to be safe and confident in your abilities in the water, but don't claim to know it all when you don't (and this is an in general statement, not directed directly to you). There are people that come across as real idiots on here, mostly trolling I hope.

 

[ScubaMick]

Ugh! I can not stand people on the board that all of a sudden become experts on absolutly every aspect of diving within months of getting ow cert. Bottom line: Shut up and dive!

Couldn't agree with you more - I think people volunteer advice to make themselves look better in their own eyes or their significant other's eyes. In EVERY case, unless asked first, the person trying to impress everyone comes off as an egotistical show-off. The people who often appear the most intelligent are the ones who listen the most...you're right - shut up and dive! Bravo!

 

[pipedope]

Hope you know I am just kidding. I wish you no harm, just don't speed while you are in Florida.

It would almost be worth the ticket to get pulled over by Wendy.

Wendy, I promise to not try and tell you how to dive in caves.
Do you promise to not try and tell me how to dive in pipes?

 

[simbrooks]

Let me clarify my point a little further. Don't act like you know it all if you don't. Ask all the questions you want, become a good diver, learn to be safe and confident in your abilities in the water, but don't claim to know it all when you don't (and this is an in general statement, not directed directly to you). There are people that come across as real idiots on here, mostly trolling I hope.

That clarification has made a world of difference from the initial rant post. I was hoping i wasnt in the club which you mentioned there and i know sometimes my phrasing can appear a little know-it-all when i am stating things to clarify (ie i understand that ..... is ..... way because of ..... reason) hoping that by throwing out some things like that correction would come if i was way off base in my thinking, how people take that kind of stuff i dont know, but its all very honest and harmless - in fact i am fairly sure that i wont be using half the stuff i discuss/question/read about for a good few years - thirst for knowledge, its often a good thing

I still believe people often find this site due to a desire to learn and become better divers - a good deal analyse their diving and try to hook up with or at least discuss stuff with more experienced folks, not to mention of course getting together to dive if possible too - that is the best part about it all.

 

[CelticRavenVA]

Seriously though, I am not trying to start an argument, but I am curious what your opinion on how people should advance their trainning is.

Are you saying start with DIR and only them and stay with them? Or are you saying get your cert, go dive a few times a month like most of us do....

(Edit)
Ok some of us do.... to me diving is something one should take pretty seriously....

 

[Wendy]

Seriously though, I am not trying to start an argument, but I am curious what your opinion on how people should advance their trainning is.

Are you saying start with DIR and only them and stay with them? Or are you saying get your cert, go dive a few times a month like most of us do....

(Edit)
Ok some of us do.... to me diving is something one should take pretty seriously....

This has nothing to do with DIR at all, if it was I'd be posting my rant in that forum.

 

[miketsp]

Are you saying start with DIR and only them and stay with them?

Now where did that come from?
Who mentioned DIR?
That's real paranoia, dude.

 

[CelticRavenVA]

My mistake.... I thought you were a DIR diver, wasn't busting on them either... just asking a question on the people going though trainning to fast comment, they came to mind as a group that as I understand it tries to prevent that.

Don't get hostile... I was trying to ask what I thought was a valid question.

(Edit)
And please take the rest of that statement into account also "Or are you saying get your cert, go dive a few times a month like most of us do...."

I am curious if this was organization based or stricly some divers really don't have a damn clue based.....

 

[RiverRat]

What if we posted our dive logs and made a rule that our post count could not exceed our dive count. That way if we had any more to say we would have to go diving before spewing our knowledge.
Hmmmmm....

Good idea! Actually I'm hoping to get my dive count to beat my post count. In any event, as a result of communicating with divers on this board, I've actually got to dive with 2 members and hope to dive/meet more board members. So it seems my "supper diving" (or "cubicle diving" as is the case today) is actually starting to pay off in regards to real diving.

 

[matt_unique]

First of all - I can't agree with you more in this post.

I recall a former post you made where you had mentioned something about people doing things the "wrong way" no matter how many times you tell them.

I had made a reply to say that the "right way" is relative and not necessarily a constant with some aspects of diving. I also referenced the fact that I think there are many on this board that get advice from board "experts" and pass it on as their own knowledge. Mike F removed my post quite promptly was will probably be the case here but I think it is ironic we have a nearly identicle thread.

--Matt

Slightly off topic but relevant to my post above. Mike F did not delete my post, it was H20 Andy.

--Matt