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I'm splitting this from a previous thread, because it deserves its own discussion ...
I think there are several good points here ... but also some things I disagree with.
First off, incivility isn't the way to respond to these divers. Because as soon as you do that, they stop listening to anything constructive you have to say.
Secondly, not every diver who is approached in an uncivil manner is being deliberately reckless. Sometimes these people are inadequately trained, and acting out of ignorance. Other times they know they screwed the pooch long before you ever talk to them. So a more constructive approach is not only deserved, but will yield better results.
For example, many on this board have heard me talking about violations of the boundary line at one of our local dive sites. These violations not only put the diver at risk due to the fact that it defines the lane used by the local water taxi, and puts them within easy casting range of the people who use the nearby fishing pier, but it jeopardizes the access of this site to all divers.
As one of the self-appointed "scuba police" ... by virtue of the fact that I help maintain this dive site, and am there frequently ... I get to talk to many of the divers who engage in these violations. They generally fall into two categories ... the new divers who haven't figured out underwater navigation yet, and the very experienced divers who either don't think it's an issue or just plain screwed up.
The former didn't know they were doing anything wrong, the latter knew, and either don't care or simply made a mistake.
In all cases, approaching these people in ways that are insulting or confrontational is counterproductive ... it often just makes them think the person approaching them is a jerk, and they neither listen nor learn anything.
Approaching them in a calm, constructive manner often does achieve the desired result, which is to get them to recognize the problem and buy into making an effort to not do it again.
Most people who dive screw up ... sometimes even deliberately. But you're far more likely to get positive results if you maintain a modicum of civility when discussing the issues with them.
That applies equally to posts on ScubaBoard. I often see people asking questions that, to them, are innocently or sincerely posed. But because of the context of the question, I just cringe ... because I know they are going to get flamed. And they do.
Often these are new members ... who either don't know the personalities on this board, or the history involved in the question they are asking ... and they get flamed and/or insulted not because they are careless divers, but because they lack the context of having been on the board for a long period of time. Or because, as new divers, they simply lack the knowledge to know that what they are asking is absurd or dangerous. And so rather than get educated, they just get insulted.
It's so unnecessary ... and really does these people a disservice, because as soon as the insults begin there is little to no chance these people will actually learn anything. Often, rather than asking questions that will help them learn, they just stop posting ... after all, who needs the abuse?
And for that reason, I disagree with your premise. Incivility is rarely called for with these kinds of divers ... only as a last resort, if even then. By insulting people, all you are really doing is reducing your own credibility in their eyes.
Far better to maintain a level of civility that engenders their respect for your experience and knowledge. Otherwise, as is the case with many experienced divers, people simply label you as an unsavory character and don't listen to anything you have to say.
Keep in mind, respect is a two-way street. And if your intent is to somehow get a message across to those you feel are being careless or irresponsible ... people who you'd like to see become more serious about their diving ... then you first have to gain enough respect from them to cause them to want to hear what you have to say.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
I think there are several good points here ... but also some things I disagree with.
First off, incivility isn't the way to respond to these divers. Because as soon as you do that, they stop listening to anything constructive you have to say.
Secondly, not every diver who is approached in an uncivil manner is being deliberately reckless. Sometimes these people are inadequately trained, and acting out of ignorance. Other times they know they screwed the pooch long before you ever talk to them. So a more constructive approach is not only deserved, but will yield better results.
For example, many on this board have heard me talking about violations of the boundary line at one of our local dive sites. These violations not only put the diver at risk due to the fact that it defines the lane used by the local water taxi, and puts them within easy casting range of the people who use the nearby fishing pier, but it jeopardizes the access of this site to all divers.
As one of the self-appointed "scuba police" ... by virtue of the fact that I help maintain this dive site, and am there frequently ... I get to talk to many of the divers who engage in these violations. They generally fall into two categories ... the new divers who haven't figured out underwater navigation yet, and the very experienced divers who either don't think it's an issue or just plain screwed up.
The former didn't know they were doing anything wrong, the latter knew, and either don't care or simply made a mistake.
In all cases, approaching these people in ways that are insulting or confrontational is counterproductive ... it often just makes them think the person approaching them is a jerk, and they neither listen nor learn anything.
Approaching them in a calm, constructive manner often does achieve the desired result, which is to get them to recognize the problem and buy into making an effort to not do it again.
Most people who dive screw up ... sometimes even deliberately. But you're far more likely to get positive results if you maintain a modicum of civility when discussing the issues with them.
That applies equally to posts on ScubaBoard. I often see people asking questions that, to them, are innocently or sincerely posed. But because of the context of the question, I just cringe ... because I know they are going to get flamed. And they do.
Often these are new members ... who either don't know the personalities on this board, or the history involved in the question they are asking ... and they get flamed and/or insulted not because they are careless divers, but because they lack the context of having been on the board for a long period of time. Or because, as new divers, they simply lack the knowledge to know that what they are asking is absurd or dangerous. And so rather than get educated, they just get insulted.
It's so unnecessary ... and really does these people a disservice, because as soon as the insults begin there is little to no chance these people will actually learn anything. Often, rather than asking questions that will help them learn, they just stop posting ... after all, who needs the abuse?
And for that reason, I disagree with your premise. Incivility is rarely called for with these kinds of divers ... only as a last resort, if even then. By insulting people, all you are really doing is reducing your own credibility in their eyes.
Far better to maintain a level of civility that engenders their respect for your experience and knowledge. Otherwise, as is the case with many experienced divers, people simply label you as an unsavory character and don't listen to anything you have to say.
Keep in mind, respect is a two-way street. And if your intent is to somehow get a message across to those you feel are being careless or irresponsible ... people who you'd like to see become more serious about their diving ... then you first have to gain enough respect from them to cause them to want to hear what you have to say.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
