Hi Sherry,

I would add to that excellent advice from Chuck that we are also at the
mercy of our physical and mental limitations as well.  Although I have
had few truly unpleasant dives, of those, most were because I or my
buddy were not mentally or physically prepared for the dive.

For example, flying half way round the world and making excessively
demanding dives as soon as you land can turn a challenging dive into a
struggle. Perhaps this is no problem for Strike or the SEAL teams
trained for this :-)  but it has been for me on occasion.  When we
travel and dive I usually like to arrive a day early to get acclimated
before the fun starts.  This is supposed to be fun, right?  :-)

In any case, some apprehension is a healthy thing before a dive.  It
helps to properly focus your attention on you, your buddy, your
equipment, and the dive conditions.  But if you think it is 'too much'
for you or you don't 'feel right' about the dive...don't do it.  To
quote a famous Feeesh, 'know your limits and dive with in them.'  I have
nothing but respect for you and Tim at calling the dive.  You can be my
SOB (same ocean buddies) anytime!

We are off next week to make our annual pilgrimage to the BVI and of
course I will be diving the same afternoon and night that we land...so
much for my advice to take it easy :-)  But BVI diving is very familiar
territory, the sea is usually flat, the water warm, and the dives are
slow and easy.  I plan on spending quality time with my Ike-housed
digital Nikon trying to figure out how to shoot with natural light.

Best regards,
Russ


Chuck wrote:
>
> <SNIP>
> The girl was newly certified, her first dive out. I told her not to let that
> experience stop her from diving, she was thoroughly shaken by it. I told her
> to call me and we would go to that frigid lake to practice together. I told
> her its cold but controlled there and she would learn a whole lot.
> I hope I said the right things, I just didn't want to sound like a know it
> all. Not much else except it's a lake dive tomorrow:).
> Cheers
> Sherry and Tim
>
> One of the toughest lessons for new divers to learn is when not to dive.
> You spend a lot of money getting to a dive site and get your plans made only
> to have Mother Nature turn against you.  We are at the mercy of the weather
> in this sport.  You and Tim have learned the lesson and that is a good
> thing.  Better to not dive today and be able to dive tomorrow.
>
> CH