I wonder what is the mad rush some divers have to move so quickly from recreational to "tech" diving? <snip>
What's wrong with being a recreational diver?
I agree with Walter that for some it is ego. For others, technical training is a way to fill in gaps that divers believe exist in recreational training. Others just might need more adventure.
My skydiving instructor took a scuba course in the Caribbean. As a skydiving instructor, he felt that the training was inadequate. As we talked about good scuba vs. poor scuba training, it became apparent that he, indeed, had a pretty poor course. He dropped out of diving because he thought scuba was boring and he felt something was missing in his training. Had he remained in diving, the challenge of technical diving would have appealed to him.
I think, for many, the "ego" factor is related to low recreational diving standards. To be "tech" means "to be trained" for many divers. Many aren't trying to be egotistical, but simply validated, as divers. Unfortunately, low standards are creeping into tech diving - especially at the advanced nitrox/deco level. TDI intro to tech standards state no sculling of hands or feet, yet even instructors I've seen teaching the class look sloppy. As written, TDI intro to tech standards are tougher than GUE's which allows a 3 - 5 foor buoyancy shift (TDI none) and minimal sculling. GUE has better quality control.
Industry-wide quality control and high standards would validate recreational diving as much as technical diving. Technical diving would be for those interested in it and not the default realm for better training. High standards and tough courses would create industry-wide respect.
Sure, there would be some ego-maniacs and those with low self-esteem trying to self-actualize through the title of "tech diver," but if C-cards were earned, there would be a great amount of esprit de corps.
Take the United States Marine Corps, for example. While a Force Recon marine may have more high speed-low drag training and experience than a marine truck driver, at the soul there is a feeling of unity and respect as marines.
GUE has the same thing going on. If two GUE recreational divers met two GUE technical divers, the technical divers would respect the recreational divers for being well-trained and tested divers who were smart enough to seek quality training. The recreational divers would appreciate the amount of work the technical divers put into their level of meeting high standards. Respect would be mutual and they would define themselves more as DIR divers than recreational or technical.
It's too bad the diving industry is creating the recreational vs. technical schism due to poor standards in training, poor education and diver mentoring and development, and poor equipment.
Nothing is wrong with being a recreational diver, but something is very wrong somewhere since you need to ask.
