ferretchen
Contributor
I know that this is like tossing a torch into oily rags, but here goes...
I found this paragraph in an superb essay on technical diving:
"There is no room for a cavalier attitude. There is no time for bull****. And technical diving is no place for people trying to prove their manhood. If you recognize these traits in your attitude, take up golf and stay the hell away from technical diving." (Accident Analysis Doppler's Tech Diving Blog)
I categorically agree with the author. BUT - and you knew that "but" was coming - it reminds me of a kind of intolerance I see frequently in diving and other communities where dangerous situations are encountered. People understandably want to stick dogmatically to the wisdom of lessons learned. In their zeal, they may re-enforce bad behavior in the very people likely to make bad decisions. Note that the author goes on to state that there should be "No dogma; No absolutes; Only an open mind." So I know his heart is in the right place. Maybe he doesn't need to hear my complaint. But a lot of people in diving should read on.
Absolutist, intolerant statements are likely to make people with the "wrong" attitudes either hide those attitudes or dive unsafely on their own when nobody is looking, thus subjecting themselves and possibly others to danger and distress.
When you dress someone down, it may be satisfying to you; it may re-enforce your primacy in the hierarchy of diving education, and it may allow you to reassure yourself of your own safety, but it will not increase the probability of most stubborn, macho guys learning from the encounter.
Abusive rejection of a person's harmful attitude may not always be the best way to get someone to adopt a new outlook. Confrontation, particularly with macho individuals, tends to make them circle the emotional wagons and defend their viewpoint at all costs.
I think it's more successful to get under the person's skin with reason, and to lead by example. In this way, it might be possible for the person to admit to themselves that they have something to learn, without their ego being bruised.
I am asking instructors to be patient, to suffer fools to a certain extent, and to exhaust more diplomatic methods before venting their spleen in a display of righteous authority.
You can politely decline to dive with some macho fool, which may annoy him, but will leave him the emotional sea room to think twice the next time he has to make an important decision, because he's saved face.
I understand that when facing a fool, there is a temptation to dress down the person. Sometimes this is useful or effective. But most of the time, it will only create more conflict, and not solve the problem at hand - increasing the safety of the diver community.
When using abusive language with a student or fellow diver, think - are you saying things for his benefit, or for yours? Perhaps the macho fool is not the only one with something to prove.
I'm going to cover all possibilities and admit that there are people who only respond to authority - you can make the judgment call on what is required in a given situation. But I'm against "Dive shop attitude" unless necessary; I think it's over-used.
I found this paragraph in an superb essay on technical diving:
"There is no room for a cavalier attitude. There is no time for bull****. And technical diving is no place for people trying to prove their manhood. If you recognize these traits in your attitude, take up golf and stay the hell away from technical diving." (Accident Analysis Doppler's Tech Diving Blog)
I categorically agree with the author. BUT - and you knew that "but" was coming - it reminds me of a kind of intolerance I see frequently in diving and other communities where dangerous situations are encountered. People understandably want to stick dogmatically to the wisdom of lessons learned. In their zeal, they may re-enforce bad behavior in the very people likely to make bad decisions. Note that the author goes on to state that there should be "No dogma; No absolutes; Only an open mind." So I know his heart is in the right place. Maybe he doesn't need to hear my complaint. But a lot of people in diving should read on.
Absolutist, intolerant statements are likely to make people with the "wrong" attitudes either hide those attitudes or dive unsafely on their own when nobody is looking, thus subjecting themselves and possibly others to danger and distress.
When you dress someone down, it may be satisfying to you; it may re-enforce your primacy in the hierarchy of diving education, and it may allow you to reassure yourself of your own safety, but it will not increase the probability of most stubborn, macho guys learning from the encounter.
Abusive rejection of a person's harmful attitude may not always be the best way to get someone to adopt a new outlook. Confrontation, particularly with macho individuals, tends to make them circle the emotional wagons and defend their viewpoint at all costs.
I think it's more successful to get under the person's skin with reason, and to lead by example. In this way, it might be possible for the person to admit to themselves that they have something to learn, without their ego being bruised.
I am asking instructors to be patient, to suffer fools to a certain extent, and to exhaust more diplomatic methods before venting their spleen in a display of righteous authority.
You can politely decline to dive with some macho fool, which may annoy him, but will leave him the emotional sea room to think twice the next time he has to make an important decision, because he's saved face.
I understand that when facing a fool, there is a temptation to dress down the person. Sometimes this is useful or effective. But most of the time, it will only create more conflict, and not solve the problem at hand - increasing the safety of the diver community.
When using abusive language with a student or fellow diver, think - are you saying things for his benefit, or for yours? Perhaps the macho fool is not the only one with something to prove.
I'm going to cover all possibilities and admit that there are people who only respond to authority - you can make the judgment call on what is required in a given situation. But I'm against "Dive shop attitude" unless necessary; I think it's over-used.
