What would you like to be able to do better?

[TSandM]

You know, after we get certified, a lot of us (particularly people motivated enough to get involved in scuba forums) go diving. And as we encounter various conditions in various areas for diving, we discover some places where we wish we had better skills.

There are a lot of threads here on the board about improving gas consumption, or polishing basic buoyancy. But those aren't the only things a developing diver needs to learn.

What do you wish you could do better?

For me, it's surf entries and exits. I just don't do them very often, and it's always when traveling, and I'm about 2 for 6 on successful exits without falling down. I read EVERY thread that has to do with Southern California shore diving, because this is something I really need to do better.

What's your bug? Maybe somebody here can offer some insights.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

I'm new enough that the only real answer is that I'd like to do everything better.
My biggest priorities:
1 - Improve bouyancy and trim.
2 - Lower my SAC rate.
3 - Get some experience in a larger variety of dive conditions. To date, we've done reef diving off a boat and a shore entry for cavern diving. Hardly counts as a shore dive, to my way of thinking, given the utter and complete lack of currents/surf in a cenote. We're planning to get some shore diving experience by going to Curacao in November, as well as some experience at planning and executing dives without a guide.

I am very aware that the main thing I need is more practice. Sadly, opportunities are somewhat lacking in landlocked Colorado. So, we make do. That's why we're paying a crazy high fee to dive the shark tank at the Denver aquarium. It's not much, but it's salt water with something to look at and better than the pool at the LDS.

I suspect, me being me, that I will never be completely happy with either my bouyancy/trim or SAC rate.

 

[formula1mb@aol.com]

For me, the main thing is improving trim and buoyancy, plus my SAC although it's getting decent now. I have about 60 dives so far and getting better but definitely aware I need to improve-----you have good days where you think you have it and than a bad day comes along making you realize you still have a lot to learn.

In terms of surf exits/entries, living in southern California, I have a lot of practice and am very comfortable with that now. TSandM, out of curiosity, when you were doing the entries/exits, did you have your fins on or off? I used to do it with the fins on but over time I really prefer having the fins off now, you can get through the surf zone much quicker and with spring straps, putting on the fins is quick. The rest is just practice and getting the experience.

 

[diverrex]

Underwater navigation. I can usually find myself back to the boat but I have to concentrate a lot on my compass and watch the time. I have a dive buddy that can take us twisting and turning all through the kelp and around the reefs, barely looks at his compass and takes us right back under the boat with ease, that's the way I want to be.

 

[mpgunner]

Lower SAC rate and have fun when there is no-vis!

 

[USCScubaboy]

Being more graceful putting on and taking off my wetsuit.

 

[sarahdee]

Walking on boats with equipment on and giant strides without falling head first LOL. I'm an instructor so its important I look calm and collected and make it look like standing around on our Banca is easy but in reality its generally me that falls over and my students who are fine.

So I guess I need to improve grace and balance....

 

[sarahdee]

Walking on boats with equipment on and giant strides without falling head first LOL. I'm an instructor so its important I look calm and collected and make it look like standing around on our Banca is easy but in reality its generally me that falls over and my students who are fine.

So I guess I need to improve grace and balance....

 

[Diver0001]

What's your bug? Maybe somebody here can offer some insights.

I self-taught myself reverse frog kicking and it's working for me but I have the feeling that it could better. I'd like to have someone who can do it excellently take a look at mine and help me fine-tune that.

Come ot think of it, that's only a symptom of a broader wish. What I'd like to do is spend a few days one-on-one .... just 6 or so dives with someone on a much higher plateau than me and just get some tips that I can work on over the next couple of hundred dives. I'm satisfied with my skills as they are but I think if I were made "aware" of things that I'm not aware of right now that I could bootstrap myself to a higher plateau. At the level I'm at, I'd be needing an experienced instructor who is first and foremost one hell of diver. To focus on being beautiful you can't have a toad as a mentor.

Alas, there is nobody at all in Holland with anything remotely resembling the skill level I would be looking for and/or who I trust. In fact, I can't think of a single person I've ever dived with who fits this description.... I'm really stuck on that.

On another note, I feel that as an instructor I have a lot to learn, so I'd like to collect a few mentors around me in that area too. I have one who I trust completely and whose style is similar to mine but I'd like to broaden that. I've been waiting for a few years to get the spark when I'm watching someone else but I'm still waiting. I think I can learn something from everyone, that's not the point, but I'm having trouble finding another mentor who has the whole package.

R..

 

[Diver Tim]

1. Gas consumption. Look up "hoover" in the dictionary. See that picture? It's me.

2. Navigation. I can swim 25 yards in one direction in 100' vis and still not be able to find my way back. And I've got a compass.

3. Buoyancy. I'm not dangerous; that's about all I can say.

But I still enjoy it...