Why do we need to take more dive courses?
Last time you heard from me in a blog you had quite a lot of information from me about dive planning and the role of dive computers. This time I wanted to take things back to basics. Let’s talk about dive courses.
Over the past few weeks I have been lucky enough to have headed off to complete a few courses….as the student again. By now I am sure you are aware, technical diving is where my passion lies, and it is certainly nice as an instructor to be taught new skills and knowledge. I had a goal that I have been desperate to accomplish for 4 years, and now I can finally say, ‘job well done!’. Having reached the pinnacle I have been aiming towards, it left me in a strange place. All the time planning and preparing, and now what? It didn’t take me long to realise, chapter one is now closed, but chapter two has certainly begun. Rebreathers or caves anyone? What I am getting at is there is never a time when you have finished your training and can’t learn something new. There is always a way to take your diving in a new direction.
It always amazes me when we sit down for dinner in the evenings with all of our guests here at Liquid, how variable our common bond is. At times we have twenty five or thirty divers joining us. Most, if not all of us, have been out diving at various times throughout the day. We instantly have a connection and passion for SCUBA diving. Several hours of dives talked over for a few more hours again. Stories from Liquid, memories from dive destinations gone by and where people dream of SCUBA diving in the future.
We have such a diversity of marine life in our oceans. It is no wonder we have such a variety of diving opportunities available to us. From open oceans, sea mounts, coral reefs, mangroves, caves, muck and wrecks and etc. etc. The list just keeps growing.
Then imagine breaking this down into the levels and experience and interests. Are you a muck loving avid photographer, a coral garden experienced Open Water Diver, a professional Divemaster? Do you dive in fresh water or salt water? Maybe you prefer overhead environments or tropical seas? A good friend of Liquid has recently stayed with us again. He is the kind of guy who is happy with two dives anywhere. Go out, get them done and get back again a.s.a.p. ….no messing!
As most of you I am sure know, I’m the kind of guy who likes nothing more than having a few cylinders clipped off and something a bit more challenging to do. What I find difficult to convey is that although technical diving is my passion, I am still more than happy at 6m in a coral garden at Apo Island. Seriously, how could you not just enjoy it for the sake of being there!
Dive resorts, clubs, boats and internet forums are all great places to share our interest and also learn something new. I tend to notice, and it is no surprise, that those people that dive and dive, but never involve themselves in a community tend to stagnate at some point. New skills or techniques can get missed or just not develop. Something I stumbled across on diving website and I will pass on now;
‘there is nothing more disappointing, than someone who has the knowledge and the ability but lacks the desire to learn something new.’
It is funny how although diving has its feuds in niche circles, the vast majority of us seem to get along. Of course it is not without its clichés (skiers vs. snowboarders anyone). We all share that sensation of being underwater, blowing bubbles for the first time, or seeing your first shark. Sometimes it is the simpler things that keep you diving.
Try one of these five things this week and make things exciting and new again!
- Go out with a group of friends to a diving resort or club and book yourselves in for a dive or two.
- Find a subject you want to learn more about and take a course. It doesn’t even have to be in the water! Stay dry and still enhance your knowledge. Enriched air anyone?
- Take things back to basics. Leave the camera at home and get rid of all but the essentials. Grab your dive buds and enjoy just being underwater on a fun dive. Enjoy blowing bubbles, swimming around all over the place or searching for a certain critter.
- Try something more complex. Challenge yourself and give sidemount a go, or get an introduction to technical diving. Maybe even become an Instructor.
- Introduce someone to diving! Book them on a Discover Scuba Dive and share your passion.
Whatever you choose, go out there and have fun with diving. Plan your dives together over a morning coffee. Fill out your logbooks whilst have a sandwich at surface intervals. Sit around and enjoy some post dive banter over a few cold drinks.
Until next time everyone…..I have some new dive goodies to play with
