Posted by JRM on September 18, 2000 at 17:14:19:
In Reply to: Re: Progression of dives: how to get better posted by Jim Hoffmann on September 18, 2000 at 12:33:00:
I'm figuring a benchmark dive is something akin to a benchmark climb. Something like "Do AfterSix before trying the Nutcracker. And be sure you have a handle on the Nutcracker before trying Reed's Pinnacle". I know conditions vary, but that's the sort of idea. Something like "be sure you can handle the average day at place X before attempting to dive place Y."
And thanks to all those who made comments about the skills practice. My instructor, DM, and most of my new dive friends have all stressed the same points. I do at least one skill per dive, sometimes more.
The reason I ask is this: I've worked really hard working my way up the "traderoutes" of another sport. Each one highlights a particular skill. I'm assuming that dive sites are similar (depth, current, vis, depth & current, depth & current & vis, etc.). So that's the sort of progression I'm after. I would really like to get a jump start.
I'd rather put in 100 dives in various places than 200 at Casino Point. So far I've mostly been diving Monterey and Santa Barbara areas. But I'm not against travelling to dive.
The other problem is financial, but I think I'll fire up another thread on that :-)
JRM