Let's get the lingo right

[chepar]

:bonk: Y'know, there's a lot of lingo us beginners need to learn during our novice diver period. I was reminded of this when
I went to my LDS yesterday to buy some weights and those little mesh pouches to hold them in my BC. The clerk and DM asked me some basic questions, which I answered (quite competently, I felt )). Then I got distracted by some shiny knives in the case, and when he asked me "what size is your wetsuit?" I absently answered "Oh, size 8."
When there was total silence for a second, I looked up and saw the clerk's and DM's eyes goggling at me. "You wear a 8 mil wetsuit?!!" he asked me incredulously. Remember, this is Hawaii.
Then I realized he wanted to know what the thickness of my wetsuit was. Whoops. :embarrass Well, just recalling their expressions made me laugh all the way home.

I think I definitely will be having problems with the lingo once I do a boat dive - I'll be the one asking "Did you mean left or right? Front or back?"

Any other commonly used phrases/terms that a diver who at least wants to appear like they know what they're talking about should know?

 

[The Chairman]

This has already been debated soooooooooo many times on this board... please check out this thread for any clarification...

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2296&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

It will be WELL worth your while, I promise!
(which is usually a good sign to start running...)

 

[Ladydiver]

Hi Chepar,

You can try the Terminology and Acronyms at Learnscuba.com.

I am sure the others will be along shortly to add to the list.

Welcome to the wonderful world of diving.

 

[Rick Murchison]

Just remember that left is left and right is right, but right is port only when facing aft.
Rick

 

[BadFish]

 

[neilstewart]

Had a quick peak at the acronyms

Hey mike where is TSD!!

Neil

 

[Ontario Diver]

It seems that the only two terms you need to know as a diver are :
Visa or MasterCard

I got in trouble when I got asked "How big is your tank?" by an instructor while I was having a chat with the DM about army days.....He was quite surprised when I informed him that it was about 24 tonnes and yes - it was HP steel!

 

[scubabunny]

How big is your tank?? Isn't that a rather personal question?:tease:

Chepar, if it makes you feel any better I would have answered the same way! Size and thickness aren't the same in my book. And the boat has a "pointy" end a "back" end!

I had a navy guy explaining knots, fathoms and nautical miles to me a few weeks ago. Just confused me even more! And all these years I thought there were only imperial or metric measurements..now I have another one to worry about!

sheesh...think I'll just go diving..my brain hurts now!