when is a diver "experienced"?

[H2Andy]

a diver can be experienced in one environment (open, warm water) and a total
newbie at another (open, cold water). even a night dive can take an experienced
diver (during day hours) and turn him into a newbie (for a night dive)

likewise, a diver can be experienced with one gear configuration, but a newbie
with another gear configuration

a diver is experienced in a particular environment after sufficient dives to become
proficient in all the skills needed to dive safely in that environment

likewise, a diver is experienced in a particular gear configuration after sufficient
dives to become proficient in the safe and effective use of that gear

 

[Diver Dennis]

Good point Zee. A person could be a very experienced warm water diver but get into cold water and it takes a little time to get used to it.

 

[langs15]

How they handle themselves on pressure or when something goes wrong is really the biggest way to see if your expierienced or not..

 

[Knight]

Knight, I don't think that you ever know how someone will react to a serious UW situation until it happens. A diver that has a lot of dives might not be as prone to panic as a new diver but until it happens you just don't know. Panic can kill the most experienced diver.
A lot of places I dive have a "check out" dive so they can see you perform in the water. Log books don't mean much to me, it is seeing people in the water that gives you a good indication. I have quite a few dives, especially in the last year and I am in no way offended by a check out dive. Some may think they are to good for that but a check out dive can give the DMs or instructors the confidence in your ability to give you a long leash or no leash at all. It helps a lot when you want to solo.

GREAT POINT Dennis ! Untill something happens your right!!!! This is just me personally but I won't go in the water (sport diving) with anyone unless I know the other diver can handle themselves and be least somewhat cool, calm and collective if something was to happen and show some signs of what your talking about "experience" in the water once we get in, if any of those signs are there why risk life and death doing a sport dive? and i'm sure alot of died or got injured not doing these check-offs. If something happens I don't wanna be the one risking my own balls to save theres or viseversa. Also Mr.Dennis I like your quote about "Panic can kill the most experienced diver." I don't think you could say that any better! Be safe and always be alert!

Always descending,
c.h.

 

[scubatexastony]

Like every career in life, first you read, listen, learn, get edcuated, then you earn a living. New graduates starting off have to learn how to apply their aquired knowledge to a working enviorment, take on responsibilities, make decisions. Some catch on fast and make good employees, some are a bit slower, then there's those that never catch on and just "earn" a living, fill a slot, never favored by the management. Be a problem solver, slow to panic, eager to learn and advance, and you move on in your trade. That's how competence grows, gained by hours, days, even years of experience and learning by executing and making solid decisions, adapting to changes and as pointed out, it shows in how one carries themself, be it in the marketplace; or in the water.

tony

 

[Walter]

ex·pe·ri·enced ( P ) Pronunciation Key (k-spîr-nst)
adj.
1. Having had experience in an activity or in life in general: a highly experienced traveler.
2. Skilled or knowledgeable as the result of active participation or practice: consulted an experienced investment counselor.

If you've made one dive, you have experience diving and could be called an experienced diver. What's the point in placing a label? The label accomplishes little, but can result in overconfidence in the experienced diver. I remember several years ago diving with some experienced divers on some wrecks in the Fort Lauderdale area. They were not warm water divers. They were experienced in cold water diving and therefore thought they were prepared for the easy warm water experience. They discovered experience in cold water quarries did not adequately prepare them for rough seas and strong currents.

I try to expand my horizons. I often have new experiences while diving. With over 1700 dives, I am an experienced diver - in some situations. In other situations, I'm a newbie. Rather than label myself "experienced," I look at the planned dive and access my experience with regard to that dive.

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

After they catch their first lobster!

 

[langs15]

After they catch their first lobster!

Just to say, it has to be a North Atlantic lobster, and then your a ''real'' diver. Once you catch about 6 everytime you go out, your an expirienced diver!

 

[Blitzy]

But there you have it...no one under the age of 25 can be an experienced diver...only us old farts qualify...

lol

 

[ChrisA]

...what is it that makes a diver experienced?...

Experience is ALWAYS relative. I may have done this one dive so many times that I can navigate at night with no light (Yes some us of have tried doing this) but I have never once been diving under ice nor ever in fresh water or anyplace in Florida. Likewise I've seen experienced divers that are new to my location (So Calif. beaches) and they take some time to adapt to surf, and 50's temps.

Experience also happens at different rates. Without names, I can think of a few new divers who have quickly become quite competent and some with nearly 100 dives who are walking disasters in waiting.

Dive frequency matters to. Someone with pnly 50 dives in 5 years who only dive once a year at a resort might still be a bit of a beginner but if those dive were all done in the last 6 months it's much different