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The truth is usually somewhere nearer the middle. So is it "deftly applying practiced routines to the problem at hand while assessing the results with a functional brain"?
Exposure protection changes, it has to; you can't use the same suit here in Hawaii and at the North Pole; and that effects your mask choice as well as weight-belt type and placement as well as the fin choice, which is also a function of single, double (or more) tanks that depend on the dive, and the number/placement of regulators is, to some degree, dictated by the tank(s). So what stays the same? Well ... everything else.
I guess I can't think of a diving situation where split-second automatic responses are called for underwater. I prefer slowly moving from one task to the next and when something goes wrong ... I stop, think and then s l o w l y fix it. By and large I believe that, "speed kills."
Has been fatal.Thalassamania raised a disturbing thought, mindless reliance on standard practiced responses may be fatal.
Simply thinking through everything is completely unacceptable also, or we could all learn to be divers just by reading books.
The truth is usually somewhere nearer the middle. So is it "deftly applying practiced routines to the problem at hand while assessing the results with a functional brain"?
To me, this would imply a greater weight on the "minimalist" side of Jax's question.
I disagree. Nothing changes when I go from wet to dry, even my fins stay the same.
Here's an example - When I started CCR, I had just finished my OC trimix. I had done OOA drills ad nauseum. About 10 hours into my CCR diving, I was approached by a OOA diver, and my first reaction was to donate my long hose. Except I was on CCR, and I ended up pulling my DSV out of my mouth, flooding the loop in the process. Thankfully, I didn't have a deco obligation, so it wasn't a big deal, but I've never dove OC again since then.
Is this the same army as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"?The Army has a saying, "Train as you will fight."
............//.......... I think you need to practice reaching back to where your IP hose attaches to the first stage and then follow it all the way to where ever you place your auxiliary, and then bite into it. Make the same sort of extension to the core solution with all exercises and never practice in a fashion that is dependent on your method of securing the piece ot gear to your rig.......//........
............//........ Make the same sort of extension to the core solution with all exercises ........//.......
Lowviz, as you modify your practice regimen I'd love to hear about what you find that you find that you change.
Jax, thanks for asking such a great question. I think that the responses say a lot about the diver and how the diver views and relates to the environment as well as degree of rigidity vs. flexibility in thinking.
It is hard to argue with the Army's viewpoint when speaking of equipment training and doctrine (well maybe, some do). It works, even if overkill at times. The Army appoach is a "one size fits all" approach. Diving is not a combat. Recreational diving is a sport whose incidence of injuries is low compaired to many sports. Therefore, I believe that there is room for variation.
However, I do appreciate that the more technically challenging the dive, the more standardization is important.
All said - I don't drink the Koolaid (only 1 right way thinking). I believe that there is room for variation. For my diving, there are basics that remain stable such as how I set up my reg, though I do switch out regs; I dive BP/w though the wing size may change; and there are certain things I carry on every dive - lights (number and type varies), compass, two computers, same dive tool, same fins, different suits. Things tend to be in the same place as well. However, I think I fall more to the minimalist side of the spectrum unless diving with new divers or students. My recreational warm water set-up is very minimal. It is an Oxy 18lb wing, SS travel plate, deluxe harness, medium weight pockets that holds up to 5 pounds as I always wear at least my 4/3 wetsuit, DR pull dump inflator hose with Air 2. Still I use the same dive knife in the same spot, same fins, carry lights the same way and use the same mask.