DaleC
Contributor
I suppose I may have thought of myself as an advanced diver at some point in the past when I still believed that diving involved some sort of linear progression ie. non diver, beginner, advanced, technical... or perhaps it was when I consistently found myself suited up before everyone else and sitting around waiting. Now of course, I am usually the one forgetting something at home and/or try to suit up last so I don't cook as much
These days I see diving as a cyclical experience and view my desired position more as one of competency.
A non diver who just takes a course but dives rarely does not stay in the exposure cycle long enough to gain competency, though they are certified. A diver who stays may; if they apply themselves. A recreational diver who takes a technical course also does not cycle long enough to gain competency; they have only expanded their learning circle to envelope the experience once or twice.
I'm a little old school I suppose and see it as serving an apprenticeship of sorts. My goal is to become a [-]tradesman[/-] diver in the traditional sense of being able to do a lot with a few tools, instead a few specialties with a lot of tools.
Gad, I still dive air most of the time - because I can.
but not deep.
because that's dangerous.
These days I see diving as a cyclical experience and view my desired position more as one of competency.
A non diver who just takes a course but dives rarely does not stay in the exposure cycle long enough to gain competency, though they are certified. A diver who stays may; if they apply themselves. A recreational diver who takes a technical course also does not cycle long enough to gain competency; they have only expanded their learning circle to envelope the experience once or twice.
I'm a little old school I suppose and see it as serving an apprenticeship of sorts. My goal is to become a [-]tradesman[/-] diver in the traditional sense of being able to do a lot with a few tools, instead a few specialties with a lot of tools.
Gad, I still dive air most of the time - because I can.
but not deep.
because that's dangerous.