What kind of People are Divers?

[Dave in PA]

A couple of things have struck me about most divers:
1) Pleasant, happy to be diving
2) Enjoys a good joke, including good natured rock busting
3) Willing to lend a hand to another diver, even if they don't know them

 

[FreeFloat]

A couple of things have struck me about most divers:
1) Pleasant, happy to be diving
2) Enjoys a good joke, including good natured rock busting
3) Willing to lend a hand to another diver, even if they don't know them

Well said! I agree 100%!!

Especially #3.......... I can't think of another group of people to whom that would actually reasonably apply.

 

[Bubble Blower 479]

I think divers may be people who are proactive, risk takers, leaders, very independent. Maybe this is a horrible generalization....if I was honest I would add serious drinking (joke)

I think proactive fits many divers, risk takers fits a few. Leaders fits if you refer to natural leadership not I want to be in charge types. I can't say that most are independent, diving is very social for most people. They might talk independence, but generally don't want to dive alone. After the dive is over they like discuss it, not just remember it. None of the people I dive with Drink at all. Since driniking has be established as a supporting factor in DCI I think serious divers would always think twice about that drink.

I dive because I enjoy the underwater world. Not just the veiws but the feeling of the whole environment. I enjoy it all. I enjoy sharing that with others and helping them discover what I enjoy so much.

 

[Rick Inman]

Most of the divers I've met (in person) are good people. They do seem to have a serious desire to help. They willingly give advise - when needed or asked for. They forget each other's differences and focus on our common interest - diving. Many have offered to pay for air, lunch. They help load each other's gear. They will loan you their extra gear if yours fails (even underwater, like a bkup light), or let you try a new piece of equipment that they have. They will overlook your obvious personality difference for the greater cause - diving.
The strangest combination of people, who would never usually get together, find themselves knowing each other, even becoming friends through diving, even with their obviously differences.
What a sport!

 

[Kestrell]

Nah....Drinking is part of being Australian.

R..

Then I'm moving to Australia.

Would all of you mind it if I ask you to start driving on the other side of the road. I'm not sure my wife will be able to make the switch.

 

[underwater daphne]

mmm, beer.

divers are pretty easy going, some too easy going. otherwise fun ppl, good for a chat as well.

divers = diverse

 

[scbababe]

Most of the divers I've met (in person) are good people. They do seem to have a serious desire to help. They willingly give advise - when needed or asked for. They forget each other's differences and focus on our common interest - diving. Many have offered to pay for air, lunch. They help load each other's gear. They will loan you their extra gear if yours fails (even underwater, like a bkup light), or let you try a new piece of equipment that they have. They will overlook your obvious personality difference for the greater cause - diving.
The strangest combination of people, who would never usually get together, find themselves knowing each other, even becoming friends through diving, even with their obviously differences.
What a sport!

Rick, that is one observation that deserves merit! This sport does bring an assortment of characters together for one purpose, ("To-Get-Wet!")

I agree, what a sport!

 

[dweeb]

I disagree with your assessment. Just because I don't "fall apart" does not mean I'm a risk taker, leader, independent, etc..The definitions of the words do not equate to your use of them here, even in context, with the exception of "independant"..

Not in the strict sense, but those terms were essentially someone's attempt to outline parameters of a personality type. I didn't say they were the best terms. I made a statement about the overall personality he was attempting to describe. The best really short description I can come up with is "highly capable." I specifically said it's not about risk addiction, or innate leadership. It's about not freaking out when a reasonable risk/benefit scenario is presented, not withdrawing at the first hint of risk, not wanting a womblike, sterile level of no risk. As for leadership, I'm not talking about those who seak to lead, but rather those, I mean when a vacuum of leadership exists, when a situation requires some degree of leadership and everyone else is more of a follower than you are, and they all turn to you and say "what are we gonna do now?" you don't curl up and choke. I'm sure, based merely on your willingness to disagree with me, that you measure up to this. I tend to be an excellent litmus test for this, because I don't see confrontation as evil.

I will claim that adjective to describe me, but not the other two.

And the fact that you are so adamant about defining yourself on your own terms is just another indicator of what I'm talking about. Relax, it's not like I'm accusing you of anything bad.

I bring up gender because I think women may have different reasons for beginning to dive, in general. At least it has been my experience with different dive buddies that the approach is usually distinctly different.

I deal directly with lots of new divers. There are very few motivations for diving that don't cross gender lines.

 

[dweeb]

If we're into generalizations I'll offer up this one:

a) women get into diving primarily out of curiosity;
b) men get into diving primarily due to the perceived "risk" or at least "challenge".

How's that for a blanket statement?

From talking to hundreds of past and present students, very, very often:

a)single men get into diving to meet athletic, outdoorsy women

b)single women get into diving to meet athletic, outdoorsy guys.

c)more and more these days, people of both genders show up at class because diving is one of the de rigeur trendy activities, and they want to get their ticket punched where it says 'diver' before they go on to mountain biking, etc. so when the subject comes up at the local bar, they can say been there, done that. Once these types are certified, they seldom dive again.

 

[durian]

There are always exceptons to generlizations. Thwe risk taking part does not concern being foolish and going out of your way to place yourself in vulnerable positions. The risk I speak of is the risk of going ahead and doing things, of challenging ourselves in a sensble way and being proactve. It is being more than dreamers.