I know this is an old thread, but as I am fairly new to scuba, it is amusing (and educational) to peruse these outbursts, philosophies, ideas, bits o knowledge, flames, etc.
Having spent 20 years in my younger days skydiving and being very obsessive about it, (to be a little crude, there was a little underground chant to the sport . Eat, F**K, Skydive!) I have noticed the parallels are very evident. Alas, 2 wives, 4 children, and starting my own business took me away from the skies. Now having the time and the means to persue something I have always wanted to do (and did occasionally without the benefit of any courses and instructors, other than a buddy who knew all about it) I have gone the proper route and done the courses, the OW and AOW PADI certs.
I cant begin to say how similar the experiences have been. This thread only brings back the days of when I first began skydiving, from instructors and drop zones that would vary wildly in their quality of implementing the basics to the gear arguments, methodology, governing agencies and personal politics. Im glad to see human nature hasnt changed a whole lot in 30 years, otherwise I would have to adjust to professionalism, unified standards and humble scubagods (skygods) who are always ready to help and improve the less experienced rather than flame or criticize. I was not above this, as I started out the fast-tracked student to go on to the 100 jump wonder to the 700 jump skygod ready to burn anybody that didnt share the elevated stratosphere of knowledge and experience that I had attained. It was only after many more years of jumping and meeting and getting to know some of the truly great people (they were few) of that sport I realized what a real jerk I was and began to appreciate the more subtle aspects, such as really helping out someone new to the sport and not just trying to impress them.
Having this behind me has given me a perspective that is invaluable. I appreciate proper training a lot more and dont necessarily consider the scubagods always correct.
In closing, some of these threads sound all to familiar, not necessarily in content but in tone. I know in my years ahead in scuba I will meet some of the truly great (in spirit and in diving abilities) and will learn much from them and will share many great memories. I cant wait!
Having spent 20 years in my younger days skydiving and being very obsessive about it, (to be a little crude, there was a little underground chant to the sport . Eat, F**K, Skydive!) I have noticed the parallels are very evident. Alas, 2 wives, 4 children, and starting my own business took me away from the skies. Now having the time and the means to persue something I have always wanted to do (and did occasionally without the benefit of any courses and instructors, other than a buddy who knew all about it) I have gone the proper route and done the courses, the OW and AOW PADI certs.
I cant begin to say how similar the experiences have been. This thread only brings back the days of when I first began skydiving, from instructors and drop zones that would vary wildly in their quality of implementing the basics to the gear arguments, methodology, governing agencies and personal politics. Im glad to see human nature hasnt changed a whole lot in 30 years, otherwise I would have to adjust to professionalism, unified standards and humble scubagods (skygods) who are always ready to help and improve the less experienced rather than flame or criticize. I was not above this, as I started out the fast-tracked student to go on to the 100 jump wonder to the 700 jump skygod ready to burn anybody that didnt share the elevated stratosphere of knowledge and experience that I had attained. It was only after many more years of jumping and meeting and getting to know some of the truly great people (they were few) of that sport I realized what a real jerk I was and began to appreciate the more subtle aspects, such as really helping out someone new to the sport and not just trying to impress them.
Having this behind me has given me a perspective that is invaluable. I appreciate proper training a lot more and dont necessarily consider the scubagods always correct.
In closing, some of these threads sound all to familiar, not necessarily in content but in tone. I know in my years ahead in scuba I will meet some of the truly great (in spirit and in diving abilities) and will learn much from them and will share many great memories. I cant wait!