Response to depth questions?

[northernone]

The most common question I get from recreational depth divers or the general curious bystander when I'm seen in non standard equipment is 'what's the deepest you've dove?' I don't like promoting depth as a dive goal or something to be held as a remarkable achievement so I'm always hesitant to reply.

I'm wondering how you respond? My replies are along the lines of 'as deep as I need' or 'right to the bottom' or 'I just go as deep as what I'm wanting to see'. A light reply and then turn the conversation to their interest in diving or their experiences.

I appreciate the fascination with the deep, but I shy away from putting actual depth in my answer. Anyone else have this hesitation? I got turned off depth challenges by unofficial single tank depth record attempts that ended with dead divers.


Cameron

 

[MichaelMc]

I usually say how deep, 101' (it was a pinnacle in Maui not any personal record attempt), but then say I mostly dive much shallower as there is more light and plenty to see, and I mention special gas needs for deep diving and how nitrogen in air is narcotic at depth and starts making you stupid around 90-100' plus depending on the individual, which is not a good thing underwater. I might also mention that the divers we train are only certified to 30' at first, scientific divers, so that is the range I'm often at. Nothing exotic about ~100', but most have the reaction of that being really deep.

(I'm not tech trained, and missed the forum this was in.)

 

[tilikum]

As an open water diver I actually get irritated at coy answers. If I ask something straightforward like what wreck someone has been on and how deep was it, I would like a straightforward answer. I find trying to change the topic insulting. Often the answer to my inquiry leads to another question such as gas mixes, how you discovered that particular site, etc. Just because a lesser experienced diver asks about challenging dives doesn't mean (s)he is going to attempt it.

 

[northernone]

As an open water diver I actually get irritated at coy answers. If I ask something straightforward like what wreck someone has been on and how deep was it, I would like a straightforward answer. I find trying to change the topic insulting.

Have we met? ....the occasional diver I
talk with doesn't like my kind of reply (as you well summarized how it can come across as insulting).

Hoping for a better approach I can adopt.
Cameron

 

[tilikum]

No we haven't met. I ask someone about their gear and what they were prepping for when I was at a mudhole and he was doing a shakedown with a newer configuration. My next questions were, ok how deep, how long was deco, and where did you train etc? I think most inquiries into depth are just natural and deserve an honest answer even if you have to throw in caveats.

 

[Tug]

I'm usually honest with other divers but I tend to generalize and gloss over the answer with non divers. Part of the reason I don't go into specifics is because it usually involves questions about it being safe and my often lack of a buddy.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I say wherever the fish are, as that is what I enjoy photographing the most. Typically 60 to 80 feet. Sometimes I've gone deeper for wrecks.

 

[Steelyeyes]

I'm honest about it. I don't read motives into the person's questions. They can do with the information what they will.

 

[The Chairman]

If you're my student, you'll get the unvarnished truth. I want them to learn from my bone head mistakes. I'd you're a diver I'll ask why you want to know. You'll probably get a lesson you weren't looking for. If you're a non - diver, then you'll get the "I've been all the way to the bottom, but I didn't find the treasure."

 

[Germie]

I will give them the real answer. For beginners depth can be fascinating as it was for me as beginner. During my ow course I knew I wanted to become a technical diver. So why ly?
I directly tell them too that I used all different kind of gases, and that is needs experience. And that the way down is much faster than the hours to come to the surface again.