What identifies someone as a "good" diver?

[muzikbiz22]

That is good enough as my buddy.
I can put up with any short coming except a dh!

Completely agree ! Leave you're ego at the dock. It still amazes me at all the ego's associated with diving, and that are seen on a boat. If you love the sport, respect the ocean (and everyone else and THEIR gear & opinions on the boat), and not an a$$, you're a good diver in my book. Someone earlier n the thread also chimed in with something to the effect "he/she's the one who doesn't have to tell you that they're a good diver"; Amen to that. It's always entertaining to observe or over-hear the "I'm all that" divers, whilst I'm just sitting there on the boat with my dive buddies that are often retired Navy divers, Helmet divers, PSD divers, cops, mega-deep rebreather divers/instructors, etc., I'm not saying that they are any better, but then again neither are they !! That's my point.

 

[Akimbo]

Worn gear in a diver thats set up quickly and is ready to go and fully at ease well before splash time.

I suppose the reciprocal would be the diver with all new color-coordinated gear from the same manufacturer. That's my indicator to keep some distance away. All rented gear when diving a popular "fly-to" location is another.

 

[Storker]

I suppose the reciprocal would be the diver with all new color-coordinated gear from the same manufacturer.

Hey, what's wrong with color-coordination? I was quite happy when I found drygloves that coordinated with the orange accents of my DS. Much cooler than the standard issue smurf gloves. Too bad I'd already bought yellow reg hoses instead of orange...

I also know one guy who takes pride in his pink hoses, drygloves and fins. AFAIK he's a pretty good diver. And straight, BTW

 

[Akimbo]

Hey, what's wrong with color-coordination?...

In your case, nothing at all.

Given that this is the Basic Forum, perhaps a little more explanation is in order. It is unusual (not impossible) for most experienced divers to find all their preferred pieces of gear from the same manufacturer -- let alone in color combinations that wouldn't upset by bride's sensibilities. All new gear is an indicator that the diver is probably new or all their gear was stolen and had to be replaced. Of course we are only talking indicators, as-in judging a book by its cover.

 

[boulderjohn]

I suppose the reciprocal would be the diver with all new color-coordinated gear from the same manufacturer. That's my indicator to keep some distance away. All rented gear when diving a popular "fly-to" location is another.

In your case, nothing at all.

Given that this is the Basic Forum, perhaps a little more explanation is in order. It is unusual (not impossible) for most experienced divers to find all their preferred pieces of gear from the same manufacturer — let alone in color combinations that wouldn’t upset by bride’s sensibilities. All new gear is an indicator that the diver is probably new or all their gear was stolen and had to be replaced. Of course we are only talking indicators, as-in judging a book by its cover.

I have had pretty much new gear on several occasions, and once you have new gear and treat it well, it can look very new for a long time. Over the years and with changing shops (and having to use gear they sell), I have worn brand new matching gear bought on very nice key man discounts fairly often. When I recently did my certification dives to become a trimix instructor, I was almost completely using gear by the same manufacturer, and since it was well maintained, it looked new. I guess I looked like a rank amateur. The guy who bought my old stuff (about 6 months after his OW certification) looked like a pro.

 

[wspalding]

I'm sure that there are as many ways to define those characteristics that make up a "good" diver as there are people that will answer the question. I just don't want to be that guy that delays people from getting wet because I'm still messing with my gear, or is oblivious to those around me and taking up more than my share of space on the boat, or silting up the bottom, or trampling over and breaking off living coral, hooking off on sponges and coral, or hassling the wildlife and scaring them away so that others don't have a chance to observe, etc. etc. and so on.

 

[DevonDiver]

With regards to gear indications... inexperience is often obvious from an inclination towards more expensive options, when better choices are readily available at a far cheaper price. Especially so when, upon questioning, the individual expresses undue enthusiasm towards nonsense gadgets and ridiculous equipment features (normally identified in manufacturer marketing by the attribution of a TLA (three-letter abbreviation)).

 

[Storker]

I just don't want to be that guy that delays people from getting wet because I'm still messing with my gear [...]

I know I kit up slowly. I don't like to be rushed; I prefer to take my time and make sure everything is A-OK since I've got this thing about complacency and rushing into things. And because I know that, I try to start the kitting-up process as early as practically possible to avoid holding up those of my mates who do the job quicker.

I also tend to hold up anyone I'm buddied with because I try to do a proper buddy check, including stuff like how to release each others' weights. If that's a nuisance to you, there's a definite possibility we won't be diving together again.

 

[Akimbo]

I have had pretty much new gear on several occasions, ...

Augh! I dread the idea of having to replace all my gear at once. First, almost everything has been modified in some way. Second is it takes me a long time to get everything dialed in the way I like it. Third, about half of it isn't made anymore. The good news is nobody but a meth-head would steal my gear after one look.

Of course none of this indicates I am a good or bad diver -- a little obsessive with access to a workshop perhaps. Probably a solid clue that I'm not a new diver though.

 

[wspalding]

I know I kit up slowly. I don't like to be rushed; I prefer to take my time and make sure everything is A-OK since I've got this thing about complacency and rushing into things. And because I know that, I try to start the kitting-up process as early as practically possible to avoid holding up those of my mates who do the job quicker.

I also tend to hold up anyone I'm buddied with because I try to do a proper buddy check, including stuff like how to release each others' weights. If that's a nuisance to you, there's a definite possibility we won't be diving together again.

There is a difference between methodical attention to detail and someone who knows it takes a long time to gear up but waiting to the last second to begin.


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