I have been reading several threads (Mask Clearing Anxiety; Newbie issues. What is your dive problems stats?) this morning, started by new(er) divers (in training, and recently certified), and am struck by the strong sense of community which those threads evoked, which I have then used to title this thread.
Very few people go through Open Water scuba training and come out as perfectly formed divers. Frankly, I do not think it is possible, irrespective of whether the course is conducted over 2-3 weekends, or 6 weeks, or or an entire semester at a university. Open Water certification is only the beginning - the point where real learning can start. Very few people breeze through scuba training and have no issues or difficulties. You are not alone if you are struggling with a particular skill, or if you have anxiety about some aspect of diving, etc. In fact, you are probably in the majority. And, ScubaBoard is a great place to 'confess' and get unconditional help.
If you have just been 'lurking' on SB, and reading threads, but have been reluctant to share your issue(s), jump in. Ask questions, share concerns, and you may be amazed at how many other people a) have similar issues / concerns, and b) are willing to offer suggestions and ideas regarding what helped THEM overcome the problem.
As an Instructor, I benefit immensely from knowing what students and new divers are going through. Sometimes, students don't want to 'confess' in class, but are willing to do in the anonymity of the online world. But, I was also, at a time in the past, a student and a new diver, and I am both able to remember being in that situation, and willing to offer up what I did to try and overcome the problem. Every diver, including instructors / dive professional / whatever, is a new diver at some point.
I try to make my students (and other divers) aware of ScubaBoard, beginning with OW classes. (I was doing that long before I became 'staff member', so I don't do it just for some sort of self-serving benefit.) I am frankly surprised at how many dive instructors do not. When I mention to some (certainly not all, but some) fellow instructors, or when I talk with some shop owners and staff (certainly not all, but some), that I read something particularly interesting on SB, or that a particular thread topic really captured my attention, I am impressed that more than a few respond with, 'Oh, I never go there, and I tell my students not to - too much politics and nonsense!' Or, 'I try to steer customers away from things like ScubaBoard, too much bad information!' Huh? If you don't want 'politics',you certainly must not read newspapers, or listen to radio, or watch television news, etc. By those media standards, SB is remarkably apolitical. Bad information? Sure, there are some posts on SB that don't quite measure up to the standard of 'value-added' (and, maybe, this one of those for that matter). But, bad information is everywhere. And, there is a lot of personal, first-hand experience available among SB users that allows for sharing of some good information.
So, new divers, prospective divers, divers-in training: take advantage of the wealth of experience and information on SB. Tell your friends, your fellow students, other newbies that you know, your dive buddies, etc,. about SB. Because, if you have issues or concerns as a newer diver, the chances are someone else does as well. You are NOT ALONE.
Very few people go through Open Water scuba training and come out as perfectly formed divers. Frankly, I do not think it is possible, irrespective of whether the course is conducted over 2-3 weekends, or 6 weeks, or or an entire semester at a university. Open Water certification is only the beginning - the point where real learning can start. Very few people breeze through scuba training and have no issues or difficulties. You are not alone if you are struggling with a particular skill, or if you have anxiety about some aspect of diving, etc. In fact, you are probably in the majority. And, ScubaBoard is a great place to 'confess' and get unconditional help.
If you have just been 'lurking' on SB, and reading threads, but have been reluctant to share your issue(s), jump in. Ask questions, share concerns, and you may be amazed at how many other people a) have similar issues / concerns, and b) are willing to offer suggestions and ideas regarding what helped THEM overcome the problem.
As an Instructor, I benefit immensely from knowing what students and new divers are going through. Sometimes, students don't want to 'confess' in class, but are willing to do in the anonymity of the online world. But, I was also, at a time in the past, a student and a new diver, and I am both able to remember being in that situation, and willing to offer up what I did to try and overcome the problem. Every diver, including instructors / dive professional / whatever, is a new diver at some point.
I try to make my students (and other divers) aware of ScubaBoard, beginning with OW classes. (I was doing that long before I became 'staff member', so I don't do it just for some sort of self-serving benefit.) I am frankly surprised at how many dive instructors do not. When I mention to some (certainly not all, but some) fellow instructors, or when I talk with some shop owners and staff (certainly not all, but some), that I read something particularly interesting on SB, or that a particular thread topic really captured my attention, I am impressed that more than a few respond with, 'Oh, I never go there, and I tell my students not to - too much politics and nonsense!' Or, 'I try to steer customers away from things like ScubaBoard, too much bad information!' Huh? If you don't want 'politics',you certainly must not read newspapers, or listen to radio, or watch television news, etc. By those media standards, SB is remarkably apolitical. Bad information? Sure, there are some posts on SB that don't quite measure up to the standard of 'value-added' (and, maybe, this one of those for that matter). But, bad information is everywhere. And, there is a lot of personal, first-hand experience available among SB users that allows for sharing of some good information.
So, new divers, prospective divers, divers-in training: take advantage of the wealth of experience and information on SB. Tell your friends, your fellow students, other newbies that you know, your dive buddies, etc,. about SB. Because, if you have issues or concerns as a newer diver, the chances are someone else does as well. You are NOT ALONE.
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