Now I am ready?

[saying]

A post on another thread got me to thinking...

Everyone always says to dive within your training, comfort, and experience. Now I'm not going to say I'm about to go diving the Brittainic solo in a heavy current on air... but with just under 100 dives so far I'm not sure how bad things would have to be for me to say 'no' to a dive.

I've jumped into 8 foot seas. I've swam against some pretty ripping current. I haven't been beneath good, old 130, but I'm perfectly comfortable with a dive to that depth. There is sometimes a moment in mid-giant-stride when I say, "Hmm, I wonder if this is a good idea. I've never dived in these type of conditions before," but I find as soon as my head is underwater my train of thought shifts tracks to, "OOOO, what is that?!? Cool! What's that?!?"

I guess my question is: how should a relatively new diver, such as myself, gauge their experience against the dive in front of them without being overly cautious (not something I've ever, so far as I know, been accused of) or borderline reckless?

 

[simbrooks]

A post on another thread got me to thinking...

Everyone always says to dive within your training, comfort, and experience. Now I'm not going to say I'm about to go diving the Brittainic solo in a heavy current on air... but with just under 100 dives so far I'm not sure how bad things would have to be for me to say 'no' to a dive.

I've jumped into 8 foot seas. I've swam against some pretty ripping current. I haven't been beneath good, old 130, but I'm perfectly comfortable with a dive to that depth. There is sometimes a moment in mid-giant-stride when I say, "Hmm, I wonder if this is a good idea. I've never dived in these type of conditions before," but I find as soon as my head is underwater my train of thought shifts tracks to, "OOOO, what is that?!? Cool! What's that?!?"

I guess my question is: how should a relatively new diver, such as myself, gauge their experience against the dive in front of them without being overly cautious (not something I've ever, so far as I know, been accused of) or borderline reckless?

I say go for it!!! Brittanica and all :joke: You might not come back though.

Of course i dont mean dive it.

Even for new divers, this is a baby step process, start with where you learned, get some practice in, add things like a little deeper (maybe 10ft per dive day up to 60-70ft), any new equipment, new situations and circumstances on very slowly, get further instruction (research as well) in considerations for whatever you would like to do. The biggest thing is that if there is any large amount of doubt and a gut feeling that this seriously might be too much for you, then listen to that doubt and feeling as it might well be telling you the truth and save your life. That doesnt mean dont every expand your boundaries, but over time you will realise that there is a limit to how much more you can do without good instruction, mentoring and practice!

 

[Gary D.]

A post on another thread got me to thinking...

Everyone always says to dive within your training, comfort, and experience. Now I'm not going to say I'm about to go diving the Brittainic solo in a heavy current on air... but with just under 100 dives so far I'm not sure how bad things would have to be for me to say 'no' to a dive.

I've jumped into 8 foot seas. I've swam against some pretty ripping current. I haven't been beneath good, old 130, but I'm perfectly comfortable with a dive to that depth. There is sometimes a moment in mid-giant-stride when I say, "Hmm, I wonder if this is a good idea. I've never dived in these type of conditions before," but I find as soon as my head is underwater my train of thought shifts tracks to, "OOOO, what is that?!? Cool! What's that?!?"

I guess my question is: how should a relatively new diver, such as myself, gauge their experience against the dive in front of them without being overly cautious (not something I've ever, so far as I know, been accused of) or borderline reckless?

You never know from dive to dive. If it feels right go for it. If it doesn't feel right don't do it.

I backed out of simple, clear, flat surface 30' dives because things just didn't feel right.

Just because you have done it doesn't mean you can do it every time. If you think you can and try it you just might be a statistic.

Gary D.

 

[String]

If *YOU* are confident in your abilities and equipment then go ahead and do whatever you want.

If you arent convinced about it - dont do it.

Its normal to feel apprehensive before dives but not scared. Important to know the difference.

 

[Scubaguy62]

When my flight students asked me the same question before going on their solo flights, I would tell them this, if in doubt, don't. I'll say the same thing to you.

Rick

 

[Frank Kohler]

A post on another thread got me to thinking...

Everyone always says to dive within your training, comfort, and experience. Now I'm not going to say I'm about to go diving the Brittainic solo in a heavy current on air... but with just under 100 dives so far I'm not sure how bad things would have to be for me to say 'no' to a dive.

I've jumped into 8 foot seas. I've swam against some pretty ripping current. I haven't been beneath good, old 130, but I'm perfectly comfortable with a dive to that depth. There is sometimes a moment in mid-giant-stride when I say, "Hmm, I wonder if this is a good idea. I've never dived in these type of conditions before," but I find as soon as my head is underwater my train of thought shifts tracks to, "OOOO, what is that?!? Cool! What's that?!?"

I guess my question is: how should a relatively new diver, such as myself, gauge their experience against the dive in front of them without being overly cautious (not something I've ever, so far as I know, been accused of) or borderline reckless?

This question cant be answered really by anyone but you. You have to make u your mind and say OK can I do this or not I mean take a look at all the condishson(sorry if that is spelled wrong i am haveing a brain fart) and make your judgment from there. Remember its all about what you feel SAFE doing.

 

[LoneWolf]

There have been a couple times that I did a dive that turned out to be much tougher than I thought it would be. Usually the current being much stronger than expected. I managed fine in those situations and gained a lot of confidence in my abilities but lets face it....sometimes you don't know until you get down there. I guess that is where some of the risk comes in.

 

[Frank Kohler]

There have been a couple times that I did a dive that turned out to be much tougher than I thought it would be. Usually the current being much stronger than expected. I managed fine in those situations and gained a lot of confidence in my abilities but lets face it....sometimes you don't know until you get down there. I guess that is where some of the risk comes in.

Yes, but if you get down there and its bad then you need to make the call to call off the dive and make your way up.

 

[DandyDon]

Very interesting. I'm an old fart, but - as a lifelong cowboy and former Marine, sometimes I consider an aggressive dive plan, and ask myself? "Are you sure you're up to this, bubba?" Haven't said no yet, but maybe I will soon.

I know, we want to keep the sport and our bodies safe, but - we want to push that envelope a bit at times. I try to keep good escapes plans ready, such as 2 cutting insturments, 2 tanks with seperate regs, 2 ways to signal audibly, 2 ways to signal visually above water, etc. And there's the drills, mental & actual.

Nowadays, I learn a lot reading about others' challenges here...

 

[Frank Kohler]

Very interesting. I'm an old fart, but - as a lifelong cowboy and former Marine, sometimes I consider an aggressive dive plan, and ask myself? "Are you sure you're up to this, bubba?" Haven't said no yet, but maybe I will soon.

I know, we want to keep the sport and our bodies safe, but - we want to push that envelope a bit at times. I try to keep good escapes plans ready, such as 2 cutting insturments, 2 tanks with seperate regs, 2 ways to signal audibly, 2 ways to signal visually above water, etc. And there's the drills, mental & actual.

Nowadays, I learn a lot reading about others' challenges here...

Dandy don the more post I read of your the more I like you. I mean you seem really prepared and organized with your diving. wish all divers thought like you did.