when is a diver "experienced"?

[Christi]

I have learned you can't go by the statement "I've been diving for 10 years" as a way to measure a divers experience. Unfortunately, there are those persons who will risk thier lives because of thier ego's. For sure, if a person who has 10 years of active, progressive diving experience under thier belt that is a positive thing. But I have met (Probably everybody has) the guy who was certified 10 or so years ago and hasn't dove in 5 years and thinks he's an expert. Be careful when chosing a dive partner.

Excellent point! I can't tell you how many of these I see! They are so proud of their old raggedy c-card from 20 years ago...but in that 20 years they've logged 100 dives with their last dive being several years ago...equipment hasn't been serviced since ("but I haven't used it"), suck their tank dry in 20 minutes, bouncing off the reef...uh huh...this guy is an "experienced" diver. These are the ones that are the most dangerous and I don't let them on the boat without a refresher course first!

Here again comes my motto, "Show me don't tell me."

I often get asked the question, what makes a good diver?

My basic answer:
"A good diver is a diver that keeps current with their skills and diving knowledge, one that knows his/her limits, is HONEST about their diving history/experiences, one that is courteous and conscientious of other divers on the boat and in the water, one that is calm, comfortable and confident but not arrogant, and one who never thinks they know it all...willing to take constructive feedback from those with more experience."

The most dangerous divers are those that are overly confident, dive beyond thier limits to prove something (or otherwise), and "knows everything."

The day I know everything, I will hang up my fins!

 

[ntt]

i wonder, will this debat ever end? not likey, i kinda like it.

I think I will jsut read though. I can never say everything needed for this topic. I always miss something.

 

[langs15]

Excellent point! I can't tell you how many of these I see! They are so proud of their old raggedy c-card from 20 years ago...but in that 20 years they've logged 100 dives with their last dive being several years ago...equipment hasn't been serviced since ("but I haven't used it"), suck their tank dry in 20 minutes, bouncing off the reef...uh huh...this guy is an "experienced" diver. These are the ones that are the most dangerous and I don't let them on the boat without a refresher course first!

Here again comes my motto, "Show me don't tell me."

I often get asked the question, what makes a good diver?

My basic answer:
"A good diver is a diver that keeps current with their skills and diving knowledge, one that knows his/her limits, is HONEST about their diving history/experiences, one that is courteous and conscientious of other divers on the boat and in the water, one that is calm, comfortable and confident but not arrogant, and one who never thinks they know it all...willing to take constructive feedback from those with more experience."

The most dangerous divers are those that are overly confident, dive beyond thier limits to prove something (or otherwise), and "knows everything."

And they think they're Gods gift too.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Good point about the equipment too Christi. Some people go by the number of dives, not time elapsed since their last dive. I've had my equipment checked 3 times this year, I've just picked it up but I've done almost 400 dives with it since last April. In my opinion, it's cheap insurance.

 

[Christi]

Good point about the equipment too Christi. Some people go by the number of dives, not time elapsed since their last dive. I've had my equipment checked 3 times this year, I've just picked it up but I've done almost 400 dives with it since last April. In my opinion, it's cheap insurance.

Yeh, and just for the recod to those who really don't know this...equipment sitting in a closet for five years is MORE likely to need service! Everything is dried up, o-rings and hoses probably need replaced, reg needs to be cleaned, checked and adjusted, etc.

My equipment gets anywhere from 100 to 500 dives a year, and I have it serviced several times a year. I have more than one reg...one I hadn't used in a year...I had it serviced before I used it, even thogh it only had a few dives on it since the previous service.

 

[Christi]

i wonder, will this debat ever end? not likey, i kinda like it.

I think I will jsut read though. I can never say everything needed for this topic. I always miss something.

Yeh, I could write pages on this topic

 

[cerich]

when the go from knowing everything to still learning and forgetting some of what they have learned...

 

[ntt]

i dont think any one thing will ever give you an answer or something close to a good answer.

equipment is different depending on the dives its been used on, the amount of dive, and well, everything! Not to mention how well the owner keeps his gear!

"Oh its only been used a few times!"
Yeah, but did you leave it in the back of your truck? Seen it! lol

I think you need to just look at all the determining factors and decide for yourself, espically if your that persons buddy!

How many dive have they done? What kind of dives?

bah, everything, ITS EVERYTHING! BLARHDHSHJSOI@)@*$&)OIJSDF)*#@$_(@!#)




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this topic rules!

 

[cerich]

I'm ALWAYS in new gear! Does that make me inexperienced????

 

[ntt]

no. but if i didnt know you and we were going for a dive. i know personaly along with everything else, i would like to know where you got certified and how long youve been diving, not just the number of dives! Where youd been, and such. Like I said, you gotta look at everything and not just one thing!

what if we go on, you should base it off of your own decisions and what you feel comfortable with you and your buddy!

Doesnt mean if you are expierenced in your eyes that you are to everyone. Others could have a different view on the idea.

I know I will make sure I trust my buddy if were both new (to eachother). If I dont feel comfortable with them, Ill try not to be rude, but I wont dive or I will scrap the dive!

(edited and added some more!)