What did you learn in 2006?

*David Martin* · December 31st, 2006, 05:21 PM

As the title says...what did you learn in 2006? Since learning is often a gradual process rather than a "lights-on" switch feel free to add things where an event reinforced something you were already aware of or where you feel you really improved something. Equally, I guess there's no real need to strictly keep to 2006 if there's something particularly pertinent from the end of 2005.

I've put a few things from my own experience down. There are others I could add, particularly examples of where situations reinforced things I was already aware of...but I'll leave these for now to see what other people have to say too!

- How to handle multiple stages. I had already got a fair bit of experience with one stage and some with two; but the jump to using three as well as improving various stage related skills was quite significant.

- That my girlfriend and I have very different concepts of what counts as "expensive" in the context of dive kit!

- The advantages of diving a three-man team. I was already aware of the theoretical advantages and had seen the benefits in some training situations dealing with issues. However, it last year was probably the first time I got to see the benefits in executing a routine dive, rather than simply dealing with "issues". I got to experience it when handling "unrealistic multiple issues" too since I did T-2 in a three-man team, whereas I had done T-1 as a two.

- That we're very privileged to be able to do the diving that we do. It's easy to overlook it when you can dive. Having had 4-5 months where I couldn't dive gave me an opportunity to consider it and to appreciate what I had previously taken for granted.

So what did you learn?

David

Mania · December 31st, 2006, 05:51 PM

That I know nothing about diving
:D

Mania

*Clare Gledhill* · December 31st, 2006, 06:02 PM

I learned that salt and vinegar crisps hurt when you have been "pull and sliding" in Florida caves (and Brave Little Soldier ointment helps a lot)

Giant strides never hurt as much as you think they will - off a boat in Donegal with three stages and scooter springs to mind as well as the Temple of Doom.

Remember the progress that you have made, and don't stress too much about your shortcomings. Positive attitude helps heavy burdens become lighter and more achieveable.

In water time fixes most things - remember to have fun as well as strive to improve.

Nothing is every as bad as you fear or as good as you hope - and that includes you.

Black and white happen rarely - learn to see things in shades of grey and appreciate that sometimes the little that we know gets in the way of our seeing what we have yet to learn.

Finally, I learned to "sometimes" bite my tongue. Next year I hope to be better at it

Dawn · December 31st, 2006, 07:36 PM

In 2006, I learned...

...(maybe more like "was reminded of") the importance of a strong dive team in making the dives safer and simply more enjoyable (thank you Per and Lotta).
...that Peter S. pulls off a Dale Jr. cap very well.
...how to vomit discretely in Little River Cave

...that there are A LOT of Garfunkel's in London ...
...that Howard's backup lights work perfect for a late night, "sneak-view" of Stonehenge.
...that diving in 1deg C is better for plumping a woman's lips than any collagen treatment

...you will find Ingemar Lundgren (Richard's brother, not his wife

) is one of the most hilarious people you will ever meet if you can coax him into telling a story or two.
...to respect and appreciate the cold water diving community; that there is still a lot that is not known, understood, or agreed upon regarding thermal protection or cold water decompression.
...how many amazing people there are in the DIR community. Not just as divers in the water, but as a fun, eclectic group to hang out with on dry land as well!

...and SO much more. Thanks for a great dive year guys and gals!

Here's to an amazing 2007!

Hugs,
Dawn

Dun · December 31st, 2006, 08:07 PM

Well, 2006 has been quite a learning year for me. I only had 17 dives coming into this year's dive season, and started out with my first dry suit. I made the switch to a bp/w, long hose, and on my 53rd dive, took Fundies. I learned how much I didn't know, and what I really needed to concentrate on. I learned how to dive with a 3 person team, and be an effective part of that team.

Just recently, I also made the switch to doubles, and look forward to more barrel rolls...

I learned that I have so much to learn from the people around me, and really appreciate their patience.

I have also learned that the people I dive with have so much to teach me, and if I keep my ears open long enough, I may actually learn something.

Thank you to everyone who has been there for me, and I look forward to being a part of your team.

**neilh** · January 1st, 2007, 01:05 AM

Well I learnt that there's a lot of fantastic folk out there willing to help and provide support when you need it - thanks all

I also learnt that there are some things more amazing and important than diving

- and that being a parent is going to be one hell of a ride!!!

GLOC · January 1st, 2007, 01:46 AM

Lots...!

TDI Adv Nitrox + Deco Feb , Fundies March (#69-), Scapa Flow Aug, Tech 1 (part 1!) Nov (#130-)...2007 is more hard work and lots more fun.

Finding Instructors and buddies who have knowledge & patience.

And most of all I have some great friends who are there when I need them. Thanks Guys.

MarkT · January 1st, 2007, 03:03 AM

In 2006 I learned to dive.

In 2007 I hope to learn to DIR

Enough said really

LCF · January 1st, 2007, 10:08 AM

I took Fundies in November of 2005, and it's been a steady uphill process of learning since.

I think I honestly got the back kick this year. I started diving doubles, and learned to do doubles valve drills. I learned that my buoyancy control goes to you-know-where in a handbasket when I'm overly task-loaded.

I continued to learn that having a goal and working at it pleases me and makes for great fun. I continued to learn that better diving skills means better diving, period. I learned that DIR training means you can travel to places you've never been, and get in the water with people you've never dived with before, and feel like you are completely at home.

And I learned, painfully, that after you have been totally spoilt by diving with teammates, getting in the water with somebody who doesn't abide by the same principles or the same procedures can be frustrating at best, and infuriating. And potentially dangerous, in that such people are NOT there to help you when you need them. There is a reason we're accused of snobbery and elitism. After a while, you just want somebody to be where you expect them to be, and you want them to communicate with you before they do anything unexpected. If they aren't willing to do those things, you'd rather dive with somebody else.

And I learned that diving to help somebody who is trying to learn is a wonderful way to enjoy being underwater.

It was a good and very fertile year.

Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC · January 1st, 2007, 10:36 AM

That not everything is as it seems.

December 31st, 2006, 05:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
David Martin(Offline) Instructor candidate Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London, E11 Posts: 419	What did you learn in 2006? As the title says...what did you learn in 2006? Since learning is often a gradual process rather than a "lights-on" switch feel free to add things where an event reinforced something you were already aware of or where you feel you really improved something. Equally, I guess there's no real need to strictly keep to 2006 if there's something particularly pertinent from the end of 2005. I've put a few things from my own experience down. There are others I could add, particularly examples of where situations reinforced things I was already aware of...but I'll leave these for now to see what other people have to say too! - How to handle multiple stages. I had already got a fair bit of experience with one stage and some with two; but the jump to using three as well as improving various stage related skills was quite significant. - That my girlfriend and I have very different concepts of what counts as "expensive" in the context of dive kit! - The advantages of diving a three-man team. I was already aware of the theoretical advantages and had seen the benefits in some training situations dealing with issues. However, it last year was probably the first time I got to see the benefits in executing a routine dive, rather than simply dealing with "issues". I got to experience it when handling "unrealistic multiple issues" too since I did T-2 in a three-man team, whereas I had done T-1 as a two. - That we're very privileged to be able to do the diving that we do. It's easy to overlook it when you can dive. Having had 4-5 months where I couldn't dive gave me an opportunity to consider it and to appreciate what I had previously taken for granted. So what did you learn? David

December 31st, 2006, 06:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Pacman Champion! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,541	I learned that salt and vinegar crisps hurt when you have been "pull and sliding" in Florida caves (and Brave Little Soldier ointment helps a lot) Giant strides never hurt as much as you think they will - off a boat in Donegal with three stages and scooter springs to mind as well as the Temple of Doom. Remember the progress that you have made, and don't stress too much about your shortcomings. Positive attitude helps heavy burdens become lighter and more achieveable. In water time fixes most things - remember to have fun as well as strive to improve. Nothing is every as bad as you fear or as good as you hope - and that includes you. Black and white happen rarely - learn to see things in shades of grey and appreciate that sometimes the little that we know gets in the way of our seeing what we have yet to learn. Finally, I learned to "sometimes" bite my tongue. Next year I hope to be better at it __________________ Clare . "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions....Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great." Interested in DIR dive training? Always happy to chat/answer questions so get in touch via PM or visit www.dirdiver.co.uk

December 31st, 2006, 08:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dun(Offline) Giddyup Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 176	Well, 2006 has been quite a learning year for me. I only had 17 dives coming into this year's dive season, and started out with my first dry suit. I made the switch to a bp/w, long hose, and on my 53rd dive, took Fundies. I learned how much I didn't know, and what I really needed to concentrate on. I learned how to dive with a 3 person team, and be an effective part of that team. Just recently, I also made the switch to doubles, and look forward to more barrel rolls... I learned that I have so much to learn from the people around me, and really appreciate their patience. I have also learned that the people I dive with have so much to teach me, and if I keep my ears open long enough, I may actually learn something. Thank you to everyone who has been there for me, and I look forward to being a part of your team. __________________ Chantelle We Go Down http://www.youtube.com/wegodown MY BLOGGY THING

January 1st, 2007, 01:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
GLOC(Offline) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fleet, Hants Posts: 1,963	Lots...! TDI Adv Nitrox + Deco Feb , Fundies March (#69-), Scapa Flow Aug, Tech 1 (part 1!) Nov (#130-)...2007 is more hard work and lots more fun. Finding Instructors and buddies who have knowledge & patience. And most of all I have some great friends who are there when I need them. Thanks Guys. __________________ Gareth Images of Life Photography DIR Team Foxturd Travels Underwater and Further Afar If you don't have the time to do something right, where are you going to find the time to fix it? - Stephen King Last edited by GLOC; January 1st, 2007 at 02:01 AM.

January 1st, 2007, 10:36 AM	#10 (permalink)
Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: hurghada Posts: 849	That not everything is as it seems. __________________ It has just dawned on me.... We are all just recycled stardust Ahmed Adly, www.deepvoyage.com

December 31st, 2006, 05:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mania(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 34	That I know nothing about diving :D Mania

December 31st, 2006, 07:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dawn(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 153	In 2006, I learned... ...(maybe more like "was reminded of") the importance of a strong dive team in making the dives safer and simply more enjoyable (thank you Per and Lotta). ...that Peter S. pulls off a Dale Jr. cap very well. ...how to vomit discretely in Little River Cave ...that there are A LOT of Garfunkel's in London ... ...that Howard's backup lights work perfect for a late night, "sneak-view" of Stonehenge. ...that diving in 1deg C is better for plumping a woman's lips than any collagen treatment ...you will find Ingemar Lundgren (Richard's brother, not his wife ) is one of the most hilarious people you will ever meet if you can coax him into telling a story or two. ...to respect and appreciate the cold water diving community; that there is still a lot that is not known, understood, or agreed upon regarding thermal protection or cold water decompression. ...how many amazing people there are in the DIR community. Not just as divers in the water, but as a fun, eclectic group to hang out with on dry land as well! ...and SO much more. Thanks for a great dive year guys and gals! Here's to an amazing 2007! Hugs, Dawn

January 1st, 2007, 01:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
neilh(Offline) Haemoglobin on the bus... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Barnsley, UK Posts: 1,900	Well I learnt that there's a lot of fantastic folk out there willing to help and provide support when you need it - thanks all I also learnt that there are some things more amazing and important than diving - and that being a parent is going to be one hell of a ride!!!

January 1st, 2007, 03:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
MarkT(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Aylesbury Posts: 233	In 2006 I learned to dive. In 2007 I hope to learn to DIR Enough said really

January 1st, 2007, 10:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
LCF(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 623	I took Fundies in November of 2005, and it's been a steady uphill process of learning since. I think I honestly got the back kick this year. I started diving doubles, and learned to do doubles valve drills. I learned that my buoyancy control goes to you-know-where in a handbasket when I'm overly task-loaded. I continued to learn that having a goal and working at it pleases me and makes for great fun. I continued to learn that better diving skills means better diving, period. I learned that DIR training means you can travel to places you've never been, and get in the water with people you've never dived with before, and feel like you are completely at home. And I learned, painfully, that after you have been totally spoilt by diving with teammates, getting in the water with somebody who doesn't abide by the same principles or the same procedures can be frustrating at best, and infuriating. And potentially dangerous, in that such people are NOT there to help you when you need them. There is a reason we're accused of snobbery and elitism. After a while, you just want somebody to be where you expect them to be, and you want them to communicate with you before they do anything unexpected. If they aren't willing to do those things, you'd rather dive with somebody else. And I learned that diving to help somebody who is trying to learn is a wonderful way to enjoy being underwater. It was a good and very fertile year.