The Rule of Fun: what do you do when you aren't having any?

[TMHeimer]

Responding to something @Kristi@CCDS said earlier:

The number on the c-card is a limit, not a target.

This applies to credit cards and speed limits too.

Agree. Some divers do think it's a target. Most drivers think it's a starting point.

 

[MargaritaMike]

A couple of weeks ago I was diving in Cozumel on a six-pack. There were 4 very experienced divers and a "first dive after certification" diver. Because of the newbie the DM took us to Delilah reef. The first "problem" was that we go dropped in the wrong place (short of the reef). After exploring a couple of coral heads, we faced this expanse of sand. As I was drifting over the sand on the way to the real Delilah, all I could think of was the singer Tom Jones. The song "Why? Why? Why, Delilah?" started running through my head. I thought that this was going to be a waste of good compressed air. When we got to the reef it actually turned out to be an excellent dive. I saw a couple of Batfish, a den of about 9 nice sized lobsters, a non-plused turtle, and the coup-de-grace: a reef shark swimming towards me and passed within about 2 feet while in open water. I thought about petting it as it passed but changed my mind while thinking "WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!?!?" So what started out to be not-so-good (and "boring") turned into an excellent dive. Now THAT'S FUN!

 

[EricTheDood]

All diving is fun, anywhere, anytime, regardless of whether you're having fun.

 

[wildbill9]

"Hi, my name is Bill and I called a dive because I was bored". Yep, I will admit it and would do it again. We were in Bonaire and did a boat dive (mistake nm 1). We had a newbie aboard and the dive master ask us to stay together since he might not be good at air mgmt. It was our 2nd dive and during the briefing be stated "I won't go below 40 ft, there is no reason to ever go that deep (he said this as he gave my wife and I the hairy eye ball. We are both experienced divers and often exceed 40 feet). He stated if you want to dive deep that is on you and do it safely. The newbie burned thru his tank quickly and returned to the boat (again not a problem). The dive master after returning the student to the boat too us to 8 ft and spent his time looming for a frog fish. After 75 min of wandering around basically snorkelling wifey looked at and ask if wanted to go up (we had plenty of air left). I said yes. When we got on the boat she looked at me and ask if I was as bored as she was. I said yes, that was a snorkel trip not a dive. Not much coral, few fish and at 8 ft we could have stayed down for a LONG time. It was the last boat dive we did in Bonaire. We love Bonaire. We will be back in October and then again in May. But we don't boat dive.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Ok I will admit it I have called a dive because I was bored... well... there were some other factors as well. After 2hr 45mins at BHB I was tired, the water was too hot and I wasn't exactly sure where the exit was. My pressure was getting low enough I decided I wasn't having fun anymore and indicated to exit. Turned out the exit was just meters from where we were so I could easily have clocked a 3 hour dive.

At a later date I decided I wanted to do a 3 hour dive.. I have discovered that after about 2.5 hrs I am ready to end a dive. I would never make a technical diver. Those long deco stops would drive me insane

 

[The Chairman]

When I evolved the "Rule of Fun", I don't think I ever contemplated boredom as a reason to call a dive. Some of my best dives have been boring up to a point and then WOW! I will never get bored in a cave or looking at my favorite fishies in the ocean. There's usually lots to see even over sand... if you look.

I was thinking more about those things that steal your fun and stress you out. A doofus buddy. A mask that won't stay mostly dry. A BC that constantly leaks. Currents that are kicking your butt. Surge that makes you want to vomit. The list could go on. If you're not having fun, and lots of it, then why dive? I don't know about you, but I dive for fun.

 

[Hoag]

I have had a few dives that were painfully boring. But then, hanging out at the safety stop, out of the blue (pun intended) something really cool shows up and makes it into an amazing dive!

 

[Lorenzoid]

I agree that there's definitely an element of patience to be considered before calling a dive on account of boredom. Diving isn't the only endeavor that requires patience. People will sit in a boat for hours waiting for a fish to bite. "Suffering" a little boredom for a while might just pay off. For me to call a dive on account of lack of fun, I try to weigh it all together: Am I bored? Am I chilly? Am I tired? Am I uncomfortable for some other reason?

 

[MaxBottomtime]

That reminds me of the old saying;
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll sit in a boat drinking beer all day.

 

[AdivingBel]

Was once on a shallow reef "washing machine" dive and began feeling a bit queasy. Not much else going on and was about to call the dive when it "came up." (Sorry, TMI, but it's true, link sausage will go through a regulator.) Anyway, I became the life of the "fish party," and everyone enjoyed the rest of the dive, including me.