Opinions please...

[ZzzKing]

Now you've done it Thalassamania ! ! !

You've given zzzKing a big head! Geez! We just got his head back down to normal size too! Now we have to start all over!

To paraphrase a recent post "You are just going to see stupid people [-]do[/-] say stupid things."

Hi John! Sorry you slept all the way through Saturday. BTW last time I looked, you were the one with the big ol' pumpkin head.

 

[scubanut101]

Hey I know what you are saying, I think thatsome divers get to comfortable and don't have the respect for the challenges and responsibility that diving brings. I don't know if you have read any of the lessons for life in Scuba Diving Mag, but all those divers had problems, got seriously injured or even died because they were too comfortable and went beyond their cert. Like others said, you can't contril what others do, just make sure you dive smart

 

[blueeyz78]

So...this is my question for you, blueeyz78: If you always dive within your experience how do you learn? How do you become a better diver?

Well one thing that was ingrained in me was to "Dive within my limits"...

That's the name of the game...

I always dive within my certification and if I want to gain more experience, I take classes and dive with instructors until I am confident in my skills. I am SSI certified, not padi...just to let everyone know. And, I learned to dive in pretty extreme conditions. I learned to dive in the Pacific Northwest, in zero viz, dry suit (yes I am certified), and ripping current. I learned early that pushing the limits without proper training was dangerous.

Also, please don't think that I am critizing anyone. This is an opinion thread, and I started it to see what other divers thought about the topic. I did not start this tread for everyone to go on the defensive. In the end, we are all resposible for ourselves.

Just remember, everyone has a different opinion and maybe we can learn from each other.

Denise

 

[blueeyz78]

Then again I only have 40 dives so I really shouldnt be adding to this topic because its people like me that are in the flame....

You are not in the flame, and your opinion is important. Again, I think we can learn from each other no matter what the experience level or number of dives someone has. Thank you for your input.

Denise

 

[k-valve]

Hey I know what you are saying, I think thatsome divers get to comfortable and don't have the respect for the challenges and responsibility that diving brings. I don't know if you have read any of the lessons for life in Scuba Diving Mag, but all those divers had problems, got seriously injured or even died because they were too comfortable and went beyond their cert. Like others said, you can't contril what others do, just make sure you dive smart

That's always the first section in the magazine I go to. Sometimes, like this month, it's an equipment failure, but you're right, sometimes they are just making bad decisions.

Those divers who you refer to as not "having the respect for the challenges and responsiblity that diving brings" are not my dive buddies. I know they are out there though. I see 'em doing stupid things on You Tube, for example, like diving to 300' on air with single tanks, or into a wreck without a reel. I even saw one recently where a guy brought a kid down to a shallow depth holding his arm around the kid with no equpment, except a mask, and letting him breathe off his secondary reg.

 

[k-valve]

...please don't think that I am critizing anyone. This is an opinion thread, and I started it to see what other divers thought about the topic. I did not start this tread for everyone to go on the defensive. In the end, we are all resposible for ourselves.

Just remember, everyone has a different opinion and maybe we can learn from each other.

I don't think anyone is being defensive, but they/we are giving you our opinions. This group isn't shy about that. This is a pretty sensitive topic. It's like asking what the best way to sling deco tanks is, or whether you're a fan of DIR, or not. You're gonna get responses.

 

[scubashawn123]

So...this is my question for you, blueeyz78: If you always dive within your experience how do you learn? How do you become a better diver?

Well one thing that was ingrained in me was to "Dive within my limits"...

I always dive within my certification and if I want to gain more experience, I take classes and dive with instructors until I am confident in my skills. I am SSI certified, not padi...just to let everyone know. And, I learned to dive in pretty extreme conditions. I learned to dive in the Pacific Northwest, in zero viz, dry suit (yes I am certified), and ripping current. I learned early that pushing the limits without proper training was dangerous.

Denise

I think that you are on a great path to success, but as you stated learning is different for different people. Real learning is experience, if you are comfortable with your path to experience then the more power to you as a diver. I call it diver discretion.

But their are plenty of people that can learn to lets say night dive, without spending a bunch of money on specialties classes. Get with good divers, study what you need and practice before dark and buddy up with experienced people and you to as a diver could night dive.

I am so glad that there are so many things to do diving that does not require certifications. Like just diving after your OW cert. Too much emphasis is placed on specialties that a good group of divers in the local community can support without spending an unreasonable amount of money.

I am a FUN diving advocate within whatever boundry's a qualified certified diver wants to put on themselves.

Like I said, lets just do it.............scuba diving that is.......an adventure sport with lots of personalities.

Happy and safe diving,

Shawn O'Shea

 

[BillM777]

I even saw one recently where a guy brought a kid down to a shallow depth holding his arm around the kid with no equpment, except a mask, and letting him breathe off his secondary reg.

I saw this happen at CSSP this past weekend. A guy had two boys with him, but only one of them had gear on, the other kid just had swimming goggles and fins on. The guy tried to bring his son down to the plane with him breathing on his octo, but after a couple of attempts he realized that the kid couldn't equalize the goggles. I just sat there on the shore with my 14 year old son and said "don't you ever do that."

 

[DRsharky]

I have notices since I was certified that too many divers ignore there certification levels and skill sets when diving certain places. I have noticed this at every place I have ever dove....

Denise

Like many here said you will find irresponsible people everywhere, the sad part is if they are professionals and new divers follow them hoping they will be safe with them

My is you need your training and certification before you get the experience. I think diving is one sport that requires a great deal of responsibilty. not just for yourself, but for your buddy as well.

I 100% agree with this, if you don't have the proper training (does not mean that it has to be a dive institution) you can never learn. You have to take diving seriously. My friends have known me as a joker for all my life and couldn't believe how serious I am when it comes to diving. Not that I don't have fun doing it, but I always make sure I (and my buddies) dive responsibly

I have seen dive professionals who I wouldn't trust with an estranged family member in a wading pool. On the other hand there are many divers I know who do not have the "advanced cards" that I would and do trust with my life.

Agree with this too, I've seen many professionals especially in last few years in resort dive shops (sorry if there are any here, not all of them are like that) that don't really care about their clients

I would separate certification from experience.

Certification indicates that on one or two or three days in the past you have demonstrated requisite skills and knowledge. ....

Guidelines 1, 2 and 3 of the DIMWIT Manual.

And this is my biggest concern. People who take 2 - 3 days courses, for me they are not properly trained. I took my courses from OWD up to instructor in Vancouver BC, vis sometimes next to nothing, water temp slightly above freezing, and I am glad I did that, cause I have not seen worse conditions anywhere since. For me that was the best training I could get, not like the fast courses in warm waters. I call these divers "resort divers" most of the time they don't even know how to put the equipment together - again no offense to resort instructors, some of them are really good, my friend is one of them, he cares about people and follows rules. But mostly they care only about money and not about people.

 

[scubashawn123]

And this is my biggest concern. People who take 2 - 3 days courses, for me they are not properly trained. I took my courses from OWD up to instructor in Vancouver BC, vis sometimes next to nothing, water temp slightly above freezing, and I am glad I did that, cause I have not seen worse conditions anywhere since. For me that was the best training I could get, not like the fast courses in warm waters. I call these divers "resort divers" most of the time they don't even know how to put the equipment together - again no offense to resort instructors, some of them are really good, my friend is one of them, he cares about people and follows rules. But mostly they care only about money and not about people.

I find this a very interesting opinion and triggers some comments from staff I heard ealier this week.

This one individual made it clear to me she got her OW cert at Lake Travis, worst experience of her life in low viz. She is a certified diver, but not an active diver. Only wants to dive (resort) exotic places a couple times a year with a local dive operation that puts her gear together and even on her. She is not going to dive locally after the experience at Lake Travis and is not interested in diving the Gulf. She made it clear to me that she is going for the experience and does not want to have any additional training.

Since I don't fit this category of diver I have to ponder how many people feel the way she does that is out there diving. (certified)


Regards,