Peter and I went diving today, our first 2015 dive. We went to a popular local dive site, but given that it was a weekday, the air temperatures were in the low 30's, and the sky was gray, I was surprised to see several other teams of divers, and my hat was off to them.
During our dive, a team passed us going out, and passed us coming back in (we were taking pictures). I watched them go by (well, I got hit by one of them on the way out) and I saw frantic dog paddling and bicycle kicking, and one diver was actually using a breast stroke to swim. They had no lights, but were in single file, and the lead diver was just . . . swimming.
I was delighted they were there. I admired the determination that brought them out to dive on such an inhospitable day. But I was so sad to see people whose diving techniques were so inefficient, and who clearly felt so unstable.
It CAN be easier. It SHOULD be easier. It is a delight to be properly weighted and balanced, so that you can just stop -- stop and watch, stop and take a photograph, stop and do your safety stop. It is so pleasant to have propulsion techniques that allow you to pivot or back up. It makes life so much easier when you have a good understanding of diver positioning, and how to avoid losing a buddy.
For all of you who read this: I am thrilled you are diving. I am thrilled that you care. But please know that diving can be easier, and more fun. The more you know, and the more you polish basic diving skills, the more you can focus on sightseeing, photography, or whatever brought you underwater.
Please go read the articles on THIS website, and this one, written by our own NWGratefulDiver. Watch the 5thD-X videos on YouTube. See what is possible, and then go after it. It will do nothing but make your diving life better.
During our dive, a team passed us going out, and passed us coming back in (we were taking pictures). I watched them go by (well, I got hit by one of them on the way out) and I saw frantic dog paddling and bicycle kicking, and one diver was actually using a breast stroke to swim. They had no lights, but were in single file, and the lead diver was just . . . swimming.
I was delighted they were there. I admired the determination that brought them out to dive on such an inhospitable day. But I was so sad to see people whose diving techniques were so inefficient, and who clearly felt so unstable.
It CAN be easier. It SHOULD be easier. It is a delight to be properly weighted and balanced, so that you can just stop -- stop and watch, stop and take a photograph, stop and do your safety stop. It is so pleasant to have propulsion techniques that allow you to pivot or back up. It makes life so much easier when you have a good understanding of diver positioning, and how to avoid losing a buddy.
For all of you who read this: I am thrilled you are diving. I am thrilled that you care. But please know that diving can be easier, and more fun. The more you know, and the more you polish basic diving skills, the more you can focus on sightseeing, photography, or whatever brought you underwater.
Please go read the articles on THIS website, and this one, written by our own NWGratefulDiver. Watch the 5thD-X videos on YouTube. See what is possible, and then go after it. It will do nothing but make your diving life better.