Looking forward to a dive where I don't learn something major...

[DukeAMO]

I'm really looking forward to a dive where I can just dive and not master some major new skill, sigh.

First were all of the OW dives... then a few dives to learn how to use our new equipment... AOW is coming up next month... then before we know it we'll be in the Caribbean, for our first salt water dives, first boat dives, and first drift dives. Then assuming we want to get out of the quarry, NC diving is all about wreck diving, which also means deep diving in most cases.

I'm really excited that we have this opportunity, and I love new challenges, but honestly, it hasn't been relaxing so far. Where is this relaxation that everyone talks about? <wink>

We have 3 dive days in the Caribbean. I really hope at least one of them is low-key.

Maybe a little poll would be fun - about how many dives did you have under your belt before it was actually relaxing?

 

[TSandM]

It's hard to think back that far . . . but I remember doing OW, and then immediately AOW. I then did a few dives locally, which were generally marked by some kind of major malfunction or error, like the one where I couldn't figure out why I couldn't keep any air in my drysuit, and then when we ended the dive, my buddy said, "Did you really want your tank hanging down on your butt like that?" (It had slipped almost completely out of the camband, and was making me dive almost vertical in the water.)

But with about 20 dives or so under my belt, I went to Maui, and got to dive in a thin wetsuit, in warm, blue water where I could see for miles. Suddenly, even though we were diving off boats and into choppy water and lots of other new things, diving just got easy, and I began to relax.

I think you'll find your Caribbean experience much lower stress, assuming you aren't diving where there are strong currents.

BTW, I don't think I truly relaxed at home and stopped "working" at my diving, until I had several hundred dives under my belt.

 

[supergaijin]

Easy- don't do the AOW and start diving similar conditions so you can consolidate the skills that you've learnt already.

Have fun in the Caribbean.

If I was to put a number on dives before I was comfortable it would be really low- Ignorance was bliss.

 

[BluewaterSail]

I have done alot of little no stress dives, from after OW onwards. Its not required to push hard to do new things, thats your choice. Stop and smell the roses! (so to speak). Take time to and enjoy each new step. I was just discussing this with a friend yesterday. I dove with doubles for the first time this past weekend. Been wanting to try them for a while, and it was a really special experience. Took a long time to get the grin off my face. My friend told me that she basically got into doubles and dry suit at the same time. Too fast for me.

That being said, I think that you will find the Caribbean relaxing and low-key, as long as you do dives at your level and don't push the envelope. Especially in a region like that, where there is so much to see, just be there and enjoy!

What I have found interesting, is if it is not a training dive, or adverse conditions, I always thought that I was comfortable in the water. But as time goes on, I find that I am More comfortable in the water, meaning that reacting to little things and being where I want to be becomes easier, less effort.

 

[DukeAMO]

Yes, I know we've chosen the path of most resistance. I was just hoping for more stories like TSandM's, so I can visualize carefree days.

Who knows, maybe I'll love quarry diving. Seems unlikely, though. Especially since the coast is only 1 hour farther than the quarry.

 

[g1138]

Basic OW dives were relaxing and fun because I had an instructor diving with me. My first Adv dive made me feel uneasy since I only had 4 checkout dives and was going into a dive w/ just my classmate buddy who I had only met a few days ago.

5 mins after the descent I was having fun. The only time I've ever been stressed diving again was during my scientific class. Lectures and diving from 6am-6pm, 16 days straight will take it's toll on you.
There was also that time I came back from a long stint of tropical diving to go straight back to doing a cold water science dive in heavy surge. Come to think of it, science dives are the only thing that stress me now, but I still have fun doing it.

My advice, if your current plan is stressing and you're not having fun, then don't do it. Stick to easy dives that you're comfortable with and move up when you feel you've become efficient enough to move up.

 

[BluewaterSail]

I didn't mean that I wasn't "working on my diving". On every dive I think about improving on fin kicks or bouyancy or trim or whatever. But that doesn't mean that I have added a NEW skill to the dive. The original question was about learning something Major. I haven't yet hit the point when I am not thinking about improving, or experimenting with, basic skills. I have 95 dives now.

As far as adding new skills, the list is endless. Cave diving, tech diving, ice diving, sidemount, rebreather,.............you never need to stop if you don't want to.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

On some dives you learn more than others, but you should learn from EVERY dive, whether dive #1 or Dive # 901. The stress loading will drop, but never assume any dive is just a "take a break dive." Always do your pre-dive safety check, always have a safe dive plan and follow it. Proper gear maintenance and inspection never ends. No doubt warm water, great viz and minimal currents that await you in the Caribbean will be a delight. But all dives have their appeal. Have a great trip, but remember that the procedures and skills you have learned and continue to master apply to every dive.
Have fun, but don't ever get lazy. Don't overload yourself with training courses. Finish a course, do some diving, take another course, do some diving, etc. This is not a race. I like that you future course plans are dovetailed to learn or improve skills related to the kind of diving you anticipate doing. That's the whole point, after all.
Wishing you warm water, calm seas and great viz!
DivemasterDennis

 

[Rhone Man]

I dunno. Diving is like life - when you stop learning new things, the fun is kind of over.

Even after 1,300 odd dives, I still say "well, that never happened before!" every so often!

 

[shmuggy]

I think you should reconsider AOW- you will not become a true Advanced diver until you get a quantity of dives under your belt and no class will change that. I started enjoying diving a lot more around #15 but everyone is different. There is alot to remember and until your buoyancy is second nature- I would stick to less challenging dives. Diving is a wonderful sport and you should IMHO, take time to smell the roses a bit.