What women want?

[TSandM]

You know, I majored in math (and won the department citation the year I graduated). I did a general surgical residency (another man's world). There was a period of my life where I seesawed wildly between trying to prove there was nothing different about me from any man, and trying to make certain that nobody ever took me for one . . .

With age, I've relaxed about it all. Women are not men, and I like it that way. We think differently (equally well, but differently) and we interact differently (and there are plenty of people making livings trying to help people understand that, and how to exploit it). I think Liz's conference is a great idea, and intend to be there if I can. And I think the idea of trying to identify if there are topics in diving which are of particular or unique interest to women, or need to be presented differently to women, is just fine.

Heaven help you if you try to tell me there's anything in diving I CAN'T do because I'm female. But yes, I'll let the DM help me up the boat ladder. Why not?

 

[mania]

Heaven help you if you try to tell me there's anything in diving I CAN'T do because I'm female. But yes, I'll let the DM help me up the boat ladder. Why not?

And if DM is handsome I even will let him take off my gear, wetsuit/drysuit.


TSM we already had this discussion before. I still disagree on the fact we think differently. as a journalist and a war correspondent I have seen men being a lot weaker than women.
And in fact men were thinking much more female like than women were.

As for the conference - good this conference will not be only for women - as it was the rusult of previous discussion.
Mania

 

[Hemlon]

as a journalist and a war correspondent I have seen men being a lot weaker than women.

This doesn't prove your point. All it does is show that you have pre-conceived ideas of how men and women are supposed to act.

 

[TheRedHead]

I think women are emotionally stronger than men. Just think what life would be like if men had babies.

 

[Surelyshirly]

I know this was covered previously in the lost thread, but having time to think about it and time to revisit the discussion in this thread, I have revised some of my original thoughts.

There is still a difference between men and women and addressing those differences cannot hurt. Making men aware of those differences cant hurt. I am constantly reminding my dive buddy I am slightly smaller, different center of balance etc. He doesnt care I have them, he just doesnt always automatically think of them.

Woman specific gear (especially for bustier woman) is a help but I am sure even men who are built slimmer or teens could benefit from some of the designs that woman would like to see. EX. - The OMS Comfort Harness is killing me, I dont have the shoulder width to carry it. EX. his chest is quite broad and off the rack 7ml suits are breathing constrictive at times

Some of our diving issues would suit both men and women alike. Not all men are built equally either.

Some of these issues may not be JUST for woman. Men dive with women, their wives and daughters. They may be curious or have concerns as to what they should know about the differences. Smaller men (say 5ft 4) or teens should have the same issues with tank heights and gear length etc.

Maybe some of our issues arent so gender specific

 

[mania]

The OMS Comfort Harness is killing me, I dont have the shoulder width to carry it.

Get a classic BP/Wing with harness and there will be no problem. Which is true for women without breast or with big one.

Mania

PS. My first BCD was SP Glide - a female one and to be honest - was very comfortable. So there are female things and you don't even have to look for them very long.

 

[Cacia]

BTW I was in girls only school - private school run by nuns. And I don't see any costs you are talking about.

well, I went to one also in Costa Rica, and then my daughter was at "The Priory" for a year...I have strong opinions against same sex schools, but I'll save that conversation for when I visit. I think it makes girls act too overt, to socialize nicely.

I think some discussion (at the conference) about dive psychology and the "politics" of diving in a group dynamic would be interesting...

For example, if given the following dive boats, which would I gravitate towards?

1) All women

2) All men

3) mixed group, a lesbian couple

4) a gay tour group, either sex

I'd be rushing for boat number 3 or 2, that order, the other boat dynamic would be overwhelming to me. I would not know how to act or think or make decisions.

When you walk down the dock, do you quickly scan the company for the day and make decisions, based on ...what?

I would say I constantly am looking for where I will be bossed around the least.

getting gear to fit, seems like the easy part to me.

Also, is it not known that you are more likely to get DCS when cycling? I thought I had read that here by someone I considered reliable.

Childcare issues while traveling, I have a lot of experience and strong opinions on.---I would say that concerns most women almost constantly in this day and age.

Who would help me set my Suunto if I got stuck on boat #1...seriously, these are the things some women worry about. Men are handy, try being without one.
It is flat killing me taking care of this boat and all my dive gear, the computers
without him. I have no interest in being this capable, this strong, none whatsoever.

 

[mdb]

I think women are emotionally stronger than men. Just think what life would be like if men had babies.

There would be no population problem.

 

[mania]

You should be able to fix your gear, including Suunto on your own. I don't mean regular checks - this should be done by authorized shop, but everyday maintenance.

So to solve it - here is the idea which we developed here (I mean in Warsaw). Once in a while there is a workshop done for girls - how to repair your gear. After such workshop you can service your regulators, clean them, repair wetsuit, drysuit, check your tanks, reinstall and install manifold, change d rings and so on.
Usually the workshop takes a whole day but it's fun and worth it.

After the first one I attended I went ot the shop to buy all tools needed. Now I have my own "safe a dive" kit I'm capable of using. Trust me - it's a lot of fun and satysfaction when you do these things on your own. Without having to ask men to help you.

As for the boats - boat number 1 is out of question - simply it would be boring. All the other boats are OK for me.

Mania

 

[MeiLing]

You should be able to fix your gear, including Suunto on your own. I don't mean regular checks - this should be done by authorized shop, but everyday maintenance.

So to solve it - here is the idea which we developed here (I mean in Warsaw). Once in a while there is a workshop done for girls - how to repair your gear. After such workshop you can service your regulators, clean them, repair wetsuit, drysuit, check your tanks, reinstall and install manifold, change d rings and so on.
Usually the workshop takes a whole day but it's fun and worth it.

After the first one I attended I went ot the shop to buy all tools needed. Now I have my own "safe a dive" kit I'm capable of using. Trust me - it's a lot of fun and satysfaction when you do these things on your own. Without having to ask men to help you.

As for the boats - boat number 1 is out of question - simply it would be boring. All the other boats are OK for me.

Mania

I think that the problem is not that she couldn't learn to do any of all that on her own. I think it is more of a lack of desire!

When you're a couple, each winds up with their own jobs around the house and their personal life. With JB gone, Catherine winds up having to take care of everything on her own.

I feel your pain, Catherine! My hubby's going on AT for two weeks at the end of August. I just know that the computer will act up the day after he leaves!:shakehead