Video debriefs - What's your excuse

[Rainer]

Actually, the West Coast DIR folks post a lot of trip and dive reports, from the Fundamentals level on up, but they don't much do it here. I'm as guilty as anybody -- I tend to post in our little, local forum instead.

Many of us have been posting "DIR" trip reports over on DiveMatrix, but with the revival of the SoCal DIR section here on SB (SoCal DIR - ScubaBoard), a few of us local to that area have been posting trip reports there as well.

Earlier this year I remember Lynne commenting that she felt less desire to post her own reports since she wasn't getting many responses (though plenty of views). It's true, and as Nick also commented, if you aren't seeing a community response to taking the time to post trip/class reports, photos, or videos, you'll eventually stop bothering. Since then, I've made a more concerted effort to show my appreciation when others share their diving experiences on the various boards. Even a simple "thank you" will probably bring more people out of the woodwork, and then Brian won't have to complain about all these Fundies class reports.

I also do think Nick has a point: it's much more fun to talk about diving in general than to worry about its DIRness. That said, I do think there's value in gently highlighting the DIR aspect since positive exposure is likely to help grow the community.

 

[ucfdiver]

These are some of the most inspiring threads/posts I can remember seeing on this forum.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/dir/336558-may-15th-flooded-mines.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/5447628-post43.html

Have seen some inspiring shots of jungle cenote expeditions down in MX, but don't remember any on this forum.

Someday, I can only hope to have enough skill to do this type of adventure… but for now, learning is still in very much in process . I’d venture a guess that other newish DIR-F divers on this forum feel the same, and would appreciate more threads/posts like these offering inspiration and providing reminders to us of why we pratice and pratice. Thanks rjack.



IMO it takes courage for many newly interested divers to navigate through the prejudice on the general board and make their first post here. Repetitive or not, patience and kindness from us go along way towards making divers new to this path feel welcome and supported. It was this forums response to my first thread that encouraged me to stick around for all this fun - thanks again !

Many of us are busy working on skills with an eye on future adventure. I for one say stop complaining and share your inspiring adventures !

Please don't forget that we were all new at some point.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" or a longhose question that's been repeated/answered 1,000 times
The Way of Lao-tzu - Chinese philosopher (604 BC - 531 BC)

I don't think I'm rude in this forum, and I certainly think these divers need answers...but it doesn't make it any more entertaining. We need a better mix, people should start posting more reports, then it's not ONLY day 1 questions.

 

[nadwidny]

Even a simple "thank you" will probably bring more people out of the woodwork, and then Brian won't have to complain about all these Fundies class reports.

Thank you

 

[kathydee]

I don't think I'm rude in this forum, and I certainly think these divers need answers...but it doesn't make it any more entertaining. We need a better mix, people should start posting more reports, then it's not ONLY day 1 questions.

Not rude at all. I'm looking forward to your trip reports .

 

[ScubaFeenD]

To be fair, I dont think fundies itself is necessarily the hard part. Instead, I think getting used to being held to much higher standard in dive training that is a bit of an adjustment.

From personal experience, you cannot tell other divers they suck. Sure, their gear is ridiculous, the redundancy they depend on is unnecessary, their diving skills are non-existent, and their buddy skills are probably mediocre. However, you cant TELL them that. All they know is what they have been told is good or acceptable. It is up to other divers to SHOW them how much better it can be. The dive industry is a MESS, but it cant be fixed overnight.

Regardless, coming in here and shooting down divers posting in a DIR forum for being excited about the new found diving skills and awareness they have learned indicates that you are probably not the people helping to convert divers to the system.

 

[lamont]

"It's my buddies fault" (often accompanied by a pointy-finger in the vague direction of "anywhere but myself")

"the team clearly failed me there"

 

[rjack321]

To be fair, I dont think fundies itself is necessarily the hard part. Instead, I think getting used to being held to much higher standard in dive training that is a bit of an adjustment.

From personal experience, you cannot tell other divers they suck. Sure, their gear is ridiculous, the redundancy they depend on is unnecessary, their diving skills are non-existent, and their buddy skills are probably mediocre. However, you cant TELL them that. All they know is what they have been told is good or acceptable. It is up to other divers to SHOW them how much better it can be. The dive industry is a MESS, but it cant be fixed overnight.

Regardless, coming in here and shooting down divers posting in a DIR forum for being excited about the new found diving skills and awareness they have learned indicates that you are probably not the people helping to convert divers to the system.

Really I'd just rather hear about diving - recreational or otherwise (critters I can't see or something/anything unique, wrecks, caves, whatever). Class reports are interesting to people who haven't taken it and to a few who wax philosphically about their own. My own DIRF was 6(7?) yrs ago and like many people, I have moved on. Its hard to stay engaged in someplace like SB if the vast majority of posters talk about gear & GUEf class.

ps I am working up my CSI video from the Scepter Squamish (~175ft barge & crane 4 days ago) now. How about you write up some non-class diving you did this month too?

 

[ucfdiver]

Not rude at all. I'm looking forward to your trip reports .

Keep an eye out on the cave diving section. Since some of the stuff we're doing is SM cave, I don't really feel comfortable posting it in here (it's off topic IMO).

However, once things flood and Manatee Springs is at it's best, expect to read about some really cool dives, a cave that was practically designed for DIR-ness

 

[TSandM]

Well, I'm about to go down to Monterey and spend a whole weekend diving with like-minded folks -- dives that will probable range from light technical to a shallow dive to escort a DIR-curious new diver. Maybe I'll try to get some photos and write the trip up, as it will really epitomize the thing I like the best about DIR diving, which is how well similarly trained divers can immediately mesh and make diving stress-free and fun.

 

[ucfdiver]

Well, I'm about to go down to Monterey and spend a whole weekend diving with like-minded folks -- dives that will probable range from light technical to a shallow dive to escort a DIR-curious new diver. Maybe I'll try to get some photos and write the trip up, as it will really epitomize the thing I like the best about DIR diving, which is how well similarly trained divers can immediately mesh and make diving stress-free and fun.

You're an excellent example of someone who writes great trip reports. I also think you carry a reputation as being one of the most helpful divers in the community. I would love to hear more reports from you.