Here is my take on the hyper tech diving initiatives. From what I have read. The entire concept, from equipment universalizing, through training, into the Zen aspects of the psyche, to certifications, (read as ranks), all emulate elite military training. This is what you take, this is where you put it; everyone on the team has a job and responsibilities. You do this, you act like this, and yes, you think like this. The team is only as strong as its weakest link, etc. There is nothing unique here. Technical climbers saw the virtues of this type of team training concept way before divers. Wana climb a mountain? Join our team.
I have had the distinct honor of spending time with many of our hardest special OPS troops. These boys and girls are awesome, but there are some draw backs to this type of training and what it takes to produce these troops.
Mainly, these troops DO NOT play well with others, outside of the team. When the team and your teammates are everything...well, anything outside of the team and your teammates are... well, nothing. This is unsettling to those who are "nothing". Everyone cant be on the team, nor would they want to be. These troops are intolerant regarding lesser training and tend to trivialize the lesser training regimes. How could the discipline ever be perpetuated unless a certain elitism doesnt accompany the efforts. Its a simple matter of contrast. How could spec ops training, and troops be considered better unless the other training and troops are considered worse?
I am not judging, here. My intent is not to disparage the concept of Elite training. The fact is, the military acknowledges the issues, and this is why most spec ops units are isolated from the rank and file troops. In fact they do nothing to change the attitude of elite troops. What they do is to teach the general troops, in contact with them, how to deal with the issues. As an over simplification,
yes the dogs have an attitude and we want them that way. This is how to deal with the dogs
, type of thing.
Now back to diving. This type of individual training and commitment may be appropriate when it comes to deco deep cave, or deep wreck diving, just as it was to tech climbing. I dont know as I dont aspire to either type of diving. It is evident that those who do count themselves in these groups sometimes do not play well with others on this web site and sometimes trivialize typical recreational divers, and general dive training. Given my background, I will always excuse the behavior, knowing it is unavoidable. What I do have a problem with is taking a single isolated equipment configuration, like a 7 foot reg hose, and proposing that this is the most appropriate configuration for all recreational divers, based upon their personal training. This is just wrong!!! What is appropriate for the Team concept of diving, with well know skills in your teammate, may not be for a recreational diver who may find themselves assisting a complete stranger in a potential life threatening situation. Solo diving has a different set of challenges and one of them is being ready and prepared to assist a total stranger, SAFELY!!!
