Separate Tech Section -- good idea???

[large_diver]

The addition of a "tech" section to the board got me wondering....is this a good idea or a bad idea? Tech divers (I don't pretend to be one) are on the cutting edge of diving, exploring new locations, techniques and gear. They help us all to become better divers due to their proven ability to manage risky environments.

Is it a good idea to expose the rest of the diving population to "tech talk"? I think the answer is yes, so I don't like the idea of a separate section. I also think having too many sections of the board dilutes its usefulness (and I "waste" enough time as it is without having to surf through additional sections).

Constructive comments welcomed.

 

[roakey]

It’s a GREAT idea.

First off, I think everyone knows that buying doubles and a reel does not a cave diver make, and I’m willing to give folks that credit.

The key thing is that most, if not all technical concepts can be applied to recreational diving to make recreational diving easier, safer and, in the end, more fun.

About 30 years ago recreational divers were diving with a backpack and a J valve. There was some technical equipment that cave divers used that NO recreational would EVER need. These two pieces of equipment were called a Buoyancy Compensator and a Submersible Pressure Gauge.

I mean, why would a recreational diver ever need a BC and a SPG?

My how times change.

Even now technical stuff is creeping into the recreational arena. Nitrox is a good example. Unfortunately there’s a lot of bad examples, too. Recreational equipment manufacturers that are more like fashion designers than equipment manufacturers drive these bad examples.

I have exactly 3 D rings on my technical harness (ignoring the crotch strap). The recreational manufacturers see this and think, hey, D rings look cool and come out with what I call “Fashion Tek” – BCs festooned with D rings. Good idea, lousy implementation. Well, maybe you could drop some weight from your belt because of the weight of the rings .

Another bad example is the industry waking up to something technical divers have been thinking about for eons: Reduced snag configurations, including hose routing.

Great idea! Says the recreational industry, and proceeds to pervert the idea into the HUB (my favorite whipping boy for how to do something completely wrong). Guess the industry isn’t interested in the concept of “reducing failure points” and “simplicity” yet.

So having a technical forum will allow recreational divers to see what’s REALLY happening in the technical world and see if some of the concepts can be applied to their diving. For instance I’m starting to see some recreational divers carrying a reel (I’d prefer a spool for this application myself) and using it as a jon line for their safety stop when they want to hang out for more than two minutes on the anchor line.

The key would be that they get to see the unvarnished concept here, rather than the fashion implementation in the LDS.

Roak

 

[large_diver]

I agree with al of your points -- I am just debating whether it makes sense to have these tech conversations in a separate area, or whether it is better to intersperse them with "regular" rec diving talk the way things used to be on this board. I worry that many rec diving folks won't come over to this section of the board...causing them to miss out on many concepts that could be useful in a rec diving setting (BP/wings, spool, long hose diving, etc.)

My $0.02.

 

[syruss32]

I think it is a good idea since tech divers seem to be a breed amongst themselves and get into so pretty intense topics, so a place to post would be a good idea.

Bug god help the newbie that posts there hehehehe

 

[TexasMike]

Actually, LD, I see tech diving discussions happening in both areas, especially the equipment (BC's, regs, etc) forums.

 

[Lost Yooper]

I thought it was a great idea as well. There seems to be a growing interest here, and these sections will help organize the discussions a bit better. I hope it gets popular here and works out nicely.

Talk to ya next week.

Mike

 

[100days-a-year]

I like it,but for that very reason.I think it's great as more Tech guys come on board they'll chat and as they do thet'll stimulate questions.Also you can lurk there until a question or 2 come to mind.And on of the reasons I think too could be that LY,Roakey,RickM,myself and others tend too be windy as we discuss (argue)configuration and philosophy.This will give us a place to keep to that won't confuse or bore those whose only goal(a perfectly good and laudable one)is a few dives here and there where no extreme conditions are expected.

 

[ScubaBaby]

I think this has been one of the best moves made my LD and KN.

If your a newbie to diving and come onto a board that looks like its full fo recreational divers, then stumble across a thread full of Tech talk....its a tad off putting! Also it could results in the newbie trying out different procedures they arent trained to do.

It also gives any recreational divers a chance just to peek in on whats happening and ask questions directly and easily to the Tech divers amoung us.

The Tech Diver population is forever increasing and its about time they have their own spaces to spread out in!

 

[ghof]

I have been waiting for a tech section somewhere on the web that doesn't begin with a lecture by George. I only use the rec boards for general information and to get a laugh or two from the Padi police. I have written knowledgeable people and taken their time to get tech information. This section allows direct contact with people with the same goals. It is a necessary section. Rec divers can learn here but we as tech divers have to sift through many old hat questions to get to one that interest us. This section helps avoid this and simply reduces the number of people using the section. One more thing, I totally enjoy a nice simple 50 foot reef dive but here in Northern Michigan it just doesn't happen but deep wreck do and its always COLD.

ghof

 

[detroit diver]

I think this is one of the few (if not the only) place on the 'net that a newbie could come and ask questions without getting slammed. I havent met anyone on this board who wouldnt take the time and answer what might be considered a "dumb" question.

I think you were being tongue in cheek, but thought I'd respond anyway!