ScoobieDooo
May 14th, 2003, 04:20 PM
Yesterday I had quite a discussion with a GUE instructor. He is a great instructor that I have much respect for. It was a down to earth discussion concerning the message board, posters, divers, agencies, gear, idealology, etc.
One thing that I have learned, not only from my limited diving experience and in speaking with this gentlemen was the following that I'd like to share with others so that they may get the right start in the beginning of their dive career.
First, listen to others advice and information with open ears. The wise man is always the one who quietly stands on the sideline and listens carefully. Assimilates information. Think before you speak. If you don't know what your talking about - don't speak.
It hard to know who is really 'in the know' about gear, techniques, etc. based on someone that is a message board poster. One has no way of ascertaining or verifying that the information one is getting IS accurate, the truth or just hype or opinion. A message board cannot convey emotion, intensity or emphasis or words of phrases. Its easy to misunderstand one's intention or statement and misconstrue what his intention may have been.
I can only speak for myself here, and will use myself as an 'example' so that others may learn and grow.
Second, just because a guy dives brand A or B doesn't make him (them) a self-appointed pro. Just because one believes that his/her gear IS the best - doesn't mean it actually IS so. Just because he may have read 100 diving books, looked at 100's of web sites doesn't mean his qualified. Any statement that is made may be subject more to opinion instead of actual fact. While may of us are fond of our gear that we have invested considerable amounts of time and money into obtaining - doesn't necessarily put us in a position of 'all knowing' and heightened 'enlightenment.' None of us are 'Gods.'
For example - I endorse OMS wings greatly. However, do I REALLY have years and 1000+ dives on my logbook to verify what I am saying or telling some other diver - perhaps a newbie who is seeking information but doesn’t know any better? No! I personally have been guilty of confusing gear choices with years of diving experience. One cannot replace the other. Actually, I have learned that gear selection alone does not make a diver. While quality gear will assist the learning experience in diving, nothing can replace actual experience in the water. A closet full of tanks, computers or all of the latest and greatest toys doesn't make a diver. Basic skills in the water do - not the toys!
So, my posting here is to ask others to please consider what they are going to post - before they speak - such as:
*Is my posting going to actually be beneficial to others?
*Am I qualified to speak on this topic? If so, great. If not, perhaps I should just not speak up.
*Do I have the dive experience to back out what I am saying?
* Am I posting my info based on MY own actual experience of that of others?
*If I have dove to a max of 50 ft, am I qualified to speak on deep diving, deco diving, etc.
The message board can be a great place to learn and grow. One however should always consider the posters experience & credentials when taking advice. It may be good advice, or not. There is no screening process of information that is posted - no filters, no verification process.
Think before you speak!
Make sure you have your facts in place before you speak.
If your going to make a claim WHY you think your BC is the best - back it up with some tried and true facts and figures - not just because 'someone says so' or because 'everyone else is doing it.' Or because I say it is. State WHY you feel its better...it may not be that obvious to others whom are less experienced or skilled.
Its been fun and I feel as much good I have learned on the message board - there has been misinformation as well. Perhaps not intentionally, I'm sure - but none the less its out there. Not only from myself, but perhaps a few others as well...
So instead of surfing for hours on the message board, I'll instead be directing my efforts where it ought to be - in the water!
In good diving,
One thing that I have learned, not only from my limited diving experience and in speaking with this gentlemen was the following that I'd like to share with others so that they may get the right start in the beginning of their dive career.
First, listen to others advice and information with open ears. The wise man is always the one who quietly stands on the sideline and listens carefully. Assimilates information. Think before you speak. If you don't know what your talking about - don't speak.
It hard to know who is really 'in the know' about gear, techniques, etc. based on someone that is a message board poster. One has no way of ascertaining or verifying that the information one is getting IS accurate, the truth or just hype or opinion. A message board cannot convey emotion, intensity or emphasis or words of phrases. Its easy to misunderstand one's intention or statement and misconstrue what his intention may have been.
I can only speak for myself here, and will use myself as an 'example' so that others may learn and grow.
Second, just because a guy dives brand A or B doesn't make him (them) a self-appointed pro. Just because one believes that his/her gear IS the best - doesn't mean it actually IS so. Just because he may have read 100 diving books, looked at 100's of web sites doesn't mean his qualified. Any statement that is made may be subject more to opinion instead of actual fact. While may of us are fond of our gear that we have invested considerable amounts of time and money into obtaining - doesn't necessarily put us in a position of 'all knowing' and heightened 'enlightenment.' None of us are 'Gods.'
For example - I endorse OMS wings greatly. However, do I REALLY have years and 1000+ dives on my logbook to verify what I am saying or telling some other diver - perhaps a newbie who is seeking information but doesn’t know any better? No! I personally have been guilty of confusing gear choices with years of diving experience. One cannot replace the other. Actually, I have learned that gear selection alone does not make a diver. While quality gear will assist the learning experience in diving, nothing can replace actual experience in the water. A closet full of tanks, computers or all of the latest and greatest toys doesn't make a diver. Basic skills in the water do - not the toys!
So, my posting here is to ask others to please consider what they are going to post - before they speak - such as:
*Is my posting going to actually be beneficial to others?
*Am I qualified to speak on this topic? If so, great. If not, perhaps I should just not speak up.
*Do I have the dive experience to back out what I am saying?
* Am I posting my info based on MY own actual experience of that of others?
*If I have dove to a max of 50 ft, am I qualified to speak on deep diving, deco diving, etc.
The message board can be a great place to learn and grow. One however should always consider the posters experience & credentials when taking advice. It may be good advice, or not. There is no screening process of information that is posted - no filters, no verification process.
Think before you speak!
Make sure you have your facts in place before you speak.
If your going to make a claim WHY you think your BC is the best - back it up with some tried and true facts and figures - not just because 'someone says so' or because 'everyone else is doing it.' Or because I say it is. State WHY you feel its better...it may not be that obvious to others whom are less experienced or skilled.
Its been fun and I feel as much good I have learned on the message board - there has been misinformation as well. Perhaps not intentionally, I'm sure - but none the less its out there. Not only from myself, but perhaps a few others as well...
So instead of surfing for hours on the message board, I'll instead be directing my efforts where it ought to be - in the water!
In good diving,