Scuba Forum - Scuba Diving Forums and Discussion Board > Community > Surface Interval > Newbies & Refreshers-PLEASE!! do not overstate abilities & experience!!
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Smart suggestion. Even though we've lots of dive experience at this point, we usually opt/ask for an easier dive #1/day 1 on a trip, and leave the big wrecks and deeper reefs for when we've settled in and made sure all the equipment is adjusted and working correctly.
Yep, even those that are experienced divers....if you haven't dove in awhile take it easy atleast first couple dives. Gives you time to reaquaint yourself with the underworld. It's amazing to me that after not diving for the winter, the first couple dives I have to get myself back into the right frame of mind.
Speak up if your uncomfortable with any dive. I've seen some that are so easy about doing whatever dive and don't have a problem jumping in and going to 120'. Then find out that they are fresh out of open water and truly believe the DM won't put them in any sort of danger.
Agree 100% with what everyone is saying....for both newer and experienced divers!! Be honest not only for your own safety but for those around you.
Well I am still a newbie and when have never dove out of my area but I make sure that the guys I am diving with know how green I am. But I also have my log book with me and I have filled out for each of my dives. Anyone who wants to verify my dives can check it out.
I guess I always thought that the dive book would be a good tool for DO to use and see what their customers skills are.
Would I get strange looks walking into a DO in FLorida and handing the DM my log book and say here is my qualifications?
I have yellow/black splits, and I'm a guy, what does that mean!?!?
let me guess, the rest of your gear all matches?
I have black and grey splits, I also dont dive a snorkel unless I'm diving in the ocean.
I have white splits, and have been known to wear my snorkel in the ocean from time-to-time.
Also have a red weight belt, glued-on thigh pockets and a raft of still/video camera equipment that I might have with me on the boat.
Red left-side and green right-side caribiners on my D-rings round out my fashionable BP/W look.
Snorkel? What's that? We call them straws, because that is about all they are good for here.
I'm sorry scubagirl, it won't happen again.
I thought you knew I was kidding when I told you I have more s'perience than Navy and Splitty combined.
I agree with the main sentiment of the thread; mis-representing your skill level is dumb and dangerous. However, I find the generalizations about judging a diver by their gear to be laughable. When I was a ski instructor, I could tell a lot more about a prospective student by watching how he carried his gear from the lodge to the slopes than by what equipment he brought to the lesson.
In these internet forums, it seems that anyone that isn't DIR or Tech-oriented is assumed to be a doughball. I couldn't care less how my equipment is perceived by others; I use whatever equipment is comfortable and suits the dive at hand. This usually includes a "straw", and I will often leave my Hollis bat-fins in the truck in favor of my cheap old Oceanic Vector beginner fins because they are less likely to give me cramps on subsequent dives. So, if I showed up on your trip with my snorkel, bright blue Vector fins, my craigslist special 7mm wetsuit, and my cheap Titan regs and shiny Gekko computer just like they use in OW classes, would I be assumed to be a newbie? Or, would my BPW and the fact that I know how to put my gear together give me away?
That's a southern thing Judy, well done. But I wear my white fins whenever the heck I want.
Hey Scubagirlj, Was there a specific incident that promted your post? Do you work for a dive op?